Meng 1/35 Abrams M1A1 Aim

[WordenB]

This is my first build thread and group build so please let me know if I mess up in any way!

Over the last couple of years I've built mainly cars but fancy a change and the subject of this group build looked like an ideal opportunity to have a go at something different. I settled on a tank, I did build a few in my teens but that was nearly 50 years ago. Being familiar with their quality I intended to go for something by Tamiya but my local(ish) model shop had this kit at a very good price and I think at least 2 options fit the subject ok.
Looks like a whole load more parts than I am used too but I'm looking forward to the building bits especially the tracks which apparently are not everyone's favourite!

[aur0ra145]

Cool looking kit!

[Tomcat64]

Great to have you along and building something out of your comfort zone too there's going to be a few more wheels involved than a car build but at least you don't need to worry about keeping the glasswork clean

If the kit goes together like the Meng Jagdpanther I built a couple of years back then this will go build really nicely; the tracks may look a little daunting but just take your time there.

In terms of the GB format just remember to take photos as you build and post updates to let us know how you're doing and any tips, tricks or problems with the kit.

As always feel free to ask questions if you're not sure

[WordenB]

Great to have you along and building something out of your comfort zone too there's going to be a few more wheels involved than a car build but at least you don't need to worry about keeping the glasswork clean

If the kit goes together like the Meng Jagdpanther I built a couple of years back then this will go build really nicely; the tracks may look a little daunting but just take your time there.

In terms of the GB format just remember to take photos as you build and post updates to let us know how you're doing and any tips, tricks or problems with the kit.

As always feel free to ask questions if you're not sure

Thank you very much Neil, I have decided to have a go at the tracks first, some cleaning up done, glue tomorrow!

[Stokesy44]

Looks a nice kit

Nice to see another MBT in the SIG.

[WordenB]

Having resisted the urge to paint parts before assembly as I am used to, I made a start on the tracks but came across my first snag.

With 2 sprues worth of track pads cleaned and guide teeth (don't know if that's the correct term) stuck on they went together quickly and flex nicely especially after I noticed there was a minute amount of flash on either end of each pad that needed a light sand. The instructions say joining either side of the pads is a push fit but I had a few come apart so used a tiny amount of Tamiya white top.





However after playing with the assembled links for a while to check they flexed freely, 3 or 4 of the pins fell away from one side. I initially thought that I had over done the glue and seized the pins but on prizing the pads apart it didn't look like it as the breaks and pins looked clean. However on checking the untouched sprues there does appear to be a moulding fault running across some of the pins and in the same area on each of the sprues.





I hope the photo is just about good enough to show a fault line running across the lower section of the pins. Thankfully there are more than enough links included in the kit but I have coated the suspect pins on the sprues with extra thin which I hope may stop them breaking just in case I need them.

Going to start on the lower hull next to see if the tracks really do work and are the right length.

[Tomcat64]

Ok I take back what I said about the tracks

What a PITA - nice work in spotting the issue & hopefully resolving it too.

I guess if it comes down to it you could always replace the plastic pins with metal?

[RangerNeil]

Ok I take back what I said about the tracks

What a PITA - nice work in spotting the issue & hopefully resolving it too.

I guess if it comes down to it you could always replace the plastic pins with metal?

Or perhaps go to all metal tracks? Friul do a set for the M1A1.

[WordenB]

Ok I take back what I said about the tracks

What a PITA - nice work in spotting the issue & hopefully resolving it too.

I guess if it comes down to it you could always replace the plastic pins with metal?

Thanks Neil, I might have a go at using metal pins if I do run short of links. I've had a good look at the assembled length again and it's still all together so fingers crossed!

[WordenB]

Ok I take back what I said about the tracks

What a PITA - nice work in spotting the issue & hopefully resolving it too.

I guess if it comes down to it you could always replace the plastic pins with metal?

Or perhaps go to all metal tracks? Friul do a set for the M1A1.

Metal tracks sound lovely Neil but I think I need to see what sort of a job I make of the kit before I spend any more on luxury items!

[WordenB]

Made a start on the lower hull today, got a little further than I thought. I must admit to really enjoying sticking bits together, in 2 years of car building I've only ever used a fraction of a bottle of extra thin. I'm liking the Meng plastic, seems to clean up well although i find the fit of some parts could be better. Functional torsion bars complete together with all the bits that go down the sides and wheels done. I like that they have polycaps so I can add them later.

[digger303]

Going together nicely and I agree I love poly caps. Sometimes wish I could buy a sprue of spares as sometimes they go missing.

[Tomcat64]

That's coming together really nicely - just don't get addicted to TET

And yep poly-caps are a simple & awesome way of fitting wheels to get things lined up & then popping them back off for painting.

[WordenB]

That's coming together really nicely - just don't get addicted to TET

Mmmm...... funny you should say that, think I will have to get another bottle!

[WordenB]

Fortified by TET fumes I have made further progress. The upper deck wasn't the best fit so I concentrated on glueing it down in the suspect area first. This left the front and other side out of kilter but a little twist when the glue was dry and everything fell into place very nicely.







Spurred on by this success (and more TET fumes no doubt) I thought I would test fit the turret. Absolutely perfect so it got some glue as did the "blow off panels". I think I can guess their function.








Must say that although my knowledge of tanks is very limited I'm really enjoying this change from my recent build subjects.

[Tomcat64]

Nicely done sorting out the fit on the upper & lower hull.

It's all coming together really well and great to hear you're enjoying something new too

[WordenB]

The exhaust grills are made up of several parts and layers which I assembled apart from the outer grills and snorkel outlet. I'm a bit concerned that fitting the outer grills will mean a struggle to get paint coverage on the parts behind.





Same with these p/e grills that go on the engine covers, it's the finest mesh I've seen. If I add these before painting will the paint clog the mesh before it covers the louvres underneath them? Should I at least prime the louvers before adding the p/e?



I painted and masked the rear lights and added those to the hull but when it came to adding the surrounds I could only find one and an empty space on the sprue where the other should have been. I went through the box and all the bags but couldn't find it. Then I remembered the sprue photos I took for this group build and sure enough it was missing on those. I had also taken some photos before I opened the bags and it's definitely not there or loose in the bag.



I could probably scratch build the missing surround but having the photo to show it missing I thought I would try out Meng's customer service by way of an email. Unfortunately this coincided with their holiday closure so will have to wait and see what they say.

[digger303]

Same with these p/e grills that go on the engine covers, it's the finest mesh I've seen. If I add these before painting will the paint clog the mesh before it covers the louvres underneath them? Should I at least prime the louvers before adding the p/e?

Is it possible use a ink or say a gundam marker pen instead of paint ?
Loving the build to date.

[Stokesy44]

Cracking build so far.

Meng's aftercare is pretty good. I had some mangled tracks on a Merkava they replaced for me. Just sent a couple of pics by email to them and they sent me new ones.

[WordenB]

Same with these p/e grills that go on the engine covers, it's the finest mesh I've seen. If I add these before painting will the paint clog the mesh before it covers the louvres underneath them? Should I at least prime the louvers before adding the p/e?

Is it possible use a ink or say a gundam marker pen instead of paint ?
Loving the build to date.

Very good thinking Mr Digger Sir, I suppose I have nothing to lose trying different stuff, being p/e I can always strip it if it doesn't work out.

[WordenB]

Cracking build so far.

Meng's aftercare is pretty good. I had some mangled tracks on a Merkava they replaced for me. Just sent a couple of pics by email to them and they sent me new ones.

Thank you very much Stokesy. Overall I am very impressed with the kit so far despite the fault in the tracks, the missing piece and a dodgy moulding I have just discovered so I'm not going to be overly upset if I don't get a response.

[Tomcat64]

Yep I had a good experience with Meng customer service as well - they're usually pretty good at getting back as soon as they can.

With regards to painting parts that go under other parts - this is definitely something I'll do if I'm concerned about coverage where it'll be seen (like the grilles you're working with at the moment).

[WordenB]

With regards to painting parts that go under other parts - this is definitely something I'll do if I'm concerned about coverage where it'll be seen (like the grilles you're working with at the moment).

Thank you Neil, I find myself a bit lost when it comes to painting the tank, most people seem to complete the majority of the assembly before which is totally alien to me but apparently works very nicely. I think I shall do as you suggest and at least prime a few bits before final assembly. I did start a tank kit a couple of years ago but reboxed it with the same dilemma.

[Tomcat64]

With regards to painting parts that go under other parts - this is definitely something I'll do if I'm concerned about coverage where it'll be seen (like the grilles you're working with at the moment).

Thank you Neil, I find myself a bit lost when it comes to painting the tank, most people seem to complete the majority of the assembly before which is totally alien to me but apparently works very nicely. I think I shall do as you suggest and at least prime a few bits before final assembly. I did start a tank kit a couple of years ago but reboxed it with the same dilemma.

Yep just find what works for you - I'll assemble/dry fit most of the main hull & turret but leave wheels & tracks removable for painting wherever possible.

I'll also leave the tools and exhaust systems off as well if I can as I just find painting them separately is easier for me.

I just checked this build here from a few years back and if you scroll down and ignore where I spilt acetone on the engine deck you can see where I painted up fans before fitting them

[WordenB]

I just checked this build here from a few years back and if you scroll down and ignore where I spilt acetone on the engine deck you can see where I painted up fans before fitting them

Thank you again Neil, I've read through the whole build, very impressive stuff especially the tracks. I had a reply from Meng today, they are sending me a replacement part, not sure if I can wait for it to turn up before I start painting though.

[WordenB]

Made quite a lot of progress on sub assemblies, very impressed with the detail on the kit. I like that Meng include things like latch detail on the inside of the lids of the side bins on the turret so they could be left open.





Love the storage baskets.


The smoke grenade launchers are made up from multiple parts


Air con unit

[digger303]

Gotta agree with you after building my own basket for another tank. They do come up well and you feel a sense of satisfaction. They just look right.

[WordenB]

I think I have assembled as much as I can so getting ready to paint. This could be where it all starts to go wrong!

[Stokesy44]

Looking good. That turret looks great. I really like the look of the Abrams when that turret is traversed 90%. It just looks so menacing.

[digger303]

Looking good. That turret looks great. I really like the look of the Abrams when that turret is traversed 90%. It just looks so menacing.

Yes they are, mind you anything that's traversed towards one self looks a little menacing.....
Very nice progress and as Stokesy says terrific work.

[BigWall]

Nice build up! I'm looking forward to seeing the paint go down.

[WordenB]

Started the painting and as suspected my inexperience in armour modelling has made it tough going so far. Primer went down OK, I used black only because most people seem to. I painted the wheels and the area behind the very front ones which need to be fitted before the front section of side skirt. Painting behind was wasted effort as I found out later.





I made a 50/50 mix of Tamiya XF57 and XF59 (which I read somewhere was very close to the correct colour) and tried to add some colour variation by building up different densities of paint. I then added the decals, a little early as it turned out.



This seemed to work quite well other than, for me, the colour looked too yellow. Searching through my paints I came across LP 30 Light Sand which looked a little dark from the lid but turned lighter when mixed. I gave the whole tank a couple of light coats trying to avoid the decals although I did end up repainting the black arrow ones.
So this is where it stands now. I don't know if it's right or wrong or even if I like it or not but I have ordered some weathering stuff to mess around with.

[Garion77]

That being your first tank you made a hell of job of it ! Hope my first comes out as nice when I start one.
Great job !

[Donkeywalloper]

Cool build of a lovely model.
Awesome work chap
DW

[RangerNeil]

For a first piece of armour that's an outstanding result - well done!!

Are you now tempted to build more??

[WordenB]

That being your first tank you made a hell of job of it ! Hope my first comes out as nice when I start one.
Great job !

Cool build of a lovely model.
Awesome work chap
DW

Thank you very much for your kindness guys but it could all go downhill from here when I get the weathering stuff.

[WordenB]

For a first piece of armour that's an outstanding result - well done!!

Are you now tempted to build more??

Thank you very much Neil. The painting turned out better than I thought so I'm happy enough but fully aware that the magic is in the weathering, the bit I fear most. I've learnt much so far and am thoroughly enjoying it so will certainly be attempting more armour. Actually I do have a Ryefield Models Tiger that I opened a year ago but reboxed after sticking a few bits of the interior together. I just didn't feel happy I knew what I was doing and it was a present from my wife so I was scared to cock it up! I think this build is giving me the confidence to have another go at that.

[Stokesy44]

For a first piece of armour that's an outstanding result - well done!!

Are you now tempted to build more??

Thank you very much Neil. The painting turned out better than I thought so I'm happy enough but fully aware that the magic is in the weathering, the bit I fear most. I've learnt much so far and am thoroughly enjoying it so will certainly be attempting more armour. Actually I do have a Ryefield Models Tiger that I opened a year ago but reboxed after sticking a few bits of the interior together. I just didn't feel happy I knew what I was doing and it was a present from my wife so I was scared to cock it up! I think this build is giving me the confidence to have another go at that.

Looks pretty great to me. Very nice color for a desert M1

[digger303]

[Tomcat64]

I can only echo what the other guys have said - that paint job looks superb!

Great work

[MrBowcat]

Looks good to me. Bit of weathering to finish it off, job done.

[WordenB]

Thanks very much for your kind words Chaps.

A quick update to celebrate the completion of the 960 parts that make up the tracks. I have done some weathering on the hull and turret but it's not quite where I envisioned so will fiddle with it some more. With the tracks done I can also have a go at those and the wheels.

[digger303]

960 parts for the tracks.....wow, but they do look very good as does the build as a whole.
What look are you going for with the weathering ?

[Tomcat64]

Great work sticking with the tracks - they really look worth the effort!

The whole beast is definitely starting to look the part

Take your time on the weathering and build it up slowly until you're comfortable & happy with it.

[WordenB]

Great work sticking with the tracks - they really look worth the effort!

The whole beast is definitely starting to look the part

Take your time on the weathering and build it up slowly until you're comfortable & happy with it.

960 parts for the tracks.....wow, but they do look very good as does the build as a whole.
What look are you going for with the weathering ?

Thank you very much Gentlemen, I actually really enjoyed doing the tracks strange as it may seem to some.

I have found a few video clips of M1A1s in Afghanistan and all look fairly clean, maybe a dusting of sand and the occasional marks where the crew have climbed over it. I don't want to over do it but I want it to look used. This is all a bit new to me and I'm frightened of completely ruining what has been a really enjoyable kit so far.
Any guidance and/or tips would be most welcome!

[BigWall]

The tracks look great! It all looks great!

I'd suggest just looking at your reference photos and slowly building up the weathering to where you like it. Every model is a new experience with it's own things to learn. You'll do great

[PrivatePublic]

Looking brilliant, though I'm glad you're doing the individual link tracks and not me haha. I guess it'd give plenty of time to catch up on a podcast or audiobook or something

[Garion77]

Nice work ! I don't know how I miss this one even I've been a bit less active on the forum lately. For a first armor that's really great !

[aur0ra145]

That's a lot of parts for tracks! The tank looks tight!

[WordenB]

Thank you very much for your kind comments and encouragement. I have had a few weeks break from the Abrams to await the missing part from Meng and have a go at building an F-15. The plane is coming along quite well but is now going on hold as I received a box from China the other day. I was quite surprised to get the whole sprue not just the part I needed. Hopefully the Abrams build will now be finished on time.