M1A2 Iraq 2004

[Greif8]

This build represents both a departure from my normal build sequence and some new ground for me.  I normally build LSP's at a 4:1 or more ratio to other subjects, but this build represents a rare change to that as I am building my second armor model in sequence.  The new ground comes in two areas, one - this will be my first build of a modern armored fighting vehicle and two - I am building one of the tanks I served on during my career as a soldier.

 

The kit is a Rye Field Models offering and as you can see is packed full of parts.  The only aftermarket I plan to use are some TREX T-158 tracks, and I'll also add a couple of figures.

 

I plan to build the tank to represent an early version of the M1A2.  I commanded this tank during my time as the platoon sergeant of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 3rd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (boy that is a mouthful!). The tank will be built to appear as it did during the summer/fall time period in 2004 during my unit's deployment during OIFII.  Below is a photo taken by my "wingman" of us returning to the frontlines from resupply during Operation Phantom Fury in November 2004; the tank will look like the photo.

 

 

I plan to post some photos of that time period during the build to help provide some context.  I may also give summaries of a couple of the larger operations I took part in during the summer/fall of 04.  This should be a fun build - and it will get "Household 6" off my back to build something I served on during my career!

 

Ernest  

[Model_Monkey]

Don't forget a good load of pogie bait.

 

Have popcorn, really looking forward to your build!

[Martinnfb]

This is going to be epic. 

[Jim Barry]

Called it. 

 

This will be something special. Enjoy every step! 

 

[Mal_Belford]

Yess... Ernest @Greif8, do something else outside your comfort zone is so cool, love it, as ive only done one tank in my life and a ship, lol, alot of new things to get hands on and skills, looking forward on this project indeed i do.

 

My first tank ever, and sure will build another in the future. note that chain is silver and now its black due natural oxidation. back in 2023

 

[Greif8]

16 hours ago, Model_Monkey said:

Don't forget a good load of pogie bait.

 

Have popcorn, really looking forward to your build!

 

4 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

This is going to be epic. 

 

3 hours ago, Jim Barry said:

Called it. 

 

This will be something special. Enjoy every step! 

 

 

29 minutes ago, Mal_Belford said:

Yess... Ernest @Greif8, do something else outside your comfort zone is so cool, love it, as ive only done one tank in my life and a ship, lol, alot of new things to get hands on and skills, looking forward on this project indeed i do.

 

My first tank ever, and sure will build another in the future. note that chain is silver and now its black due natural oxidation. back in 2023

 

 

I am glad there is some interest in following the build.  I am considering doing the same thing I did with the USS Constitution thread a couple of years ago, i.e. give some of the development history of the M1 tank series and some info on how some of the systems function together on the tank, as well as some posts covering it's use in combat operations - this time from my viewpoint in Iraq.  I don't know if there is much, if any interest in posts covering either the history/development of the M1, or some information on how things actually function on the tank - or posts giving some inside information on combat operations that included the M1 tank, again with a view from the tank commander's position.  If there is no interest in either or both those types of posts I'll not bore folks with them, and that is completely ok. 

 

I started working on the build today, assembling the kit M256 cannon, which had both some significant flash and - surprising for molds that are only 10 or so years old - some seam alignment issues.  I am going to see if I can continue to address those while keeping the barrel, (actually the barrel shroud), round.  As a backup if I am not able to do that I have ordered an aftermarket barrel to replace the kit one.  Should be a challenge!

 

Mal - that is a very nice Panzer III!  Is it an E?

 

Ernest 

[Mal_Belford]

Remember, there is always some builder that like it alot and post alot of info that may or do or even help their own projects, so hey keep it coming, even if they are silent and yes lurking the building progress.

 

People find anyway what they want to read.

 

And me i dont bother at all, so hey Ernest. so go ahead and im looking forward to seeing this build unfold, and in same time a history lesson.

[Mal_Belford]

Oh sorry, yes a Panzer Aufs III E, as a builder sended that kit to me to see what i could do with that one, and all extra goodies in it metal parts all that, and post the whole progress. and very generous indeed, that build were crazy fin to do, took approx one week LoL. 7 days from start to finnish.

Edited June 30 by Mal_Belford

[Greif8]

9 minutes ago, Mal_Belford said:

Oh sorry, yes a Panzer Aufs III E, as a builder sended that kit to me to see what i could do with that one, and all extra goodies in it metal parts all that, and post the whole progress. and very generous indeed, that build were crazy fin to do, took approx one week LoL. 7 days from start to finnish.

 

One week is very fast Mal.  And the build quality looks excellent!  The M1A2 is going to take a bit longer than that, HaHa!

 

Ernest

[Mal_Belford]

1 minute ago, Greif8 said:

 

One week is very fast Mal.  And the build quality looks excellent!  The M1A2 is going to take a bit longer than that, HaHa!

 

Ernest

 

That kit didnt have any interior except the gun and turret lol details.

[Mal_Belford]

Darn, i write to fast lol, got s Hetzer in my stash, lol, looking forward to build that one later, got to finnish my Arado 196, only left is that figure that is stuck in post, and yes my Ohka of course, do something else indeed, might be a tank LoL or a ship.

Edited June 30 by Mal_Belford

[Chippyminton]

Looking forward to another Ernestfest masterclass !!!!!

[Greif8]

I have started gluing parts together, beginning with the main gun.  Surprisingly some of the parts had flash and there were also a couple of off-set seamlines that I had to deal with.  As I posted earlier, I ordered an aftermarket cannon, and I plan to assemble that when it arrives.  Afterwards I'll decide which one to use, though if the A/M cannon is decent quality I will undoubtably use it.

 

The kit cannon looks ok from a short distance away; and it may even look better once primed - wishful thinking that!

 

However, dealing with the seams and flash while retaining the correct curvature was a real challenge; and I was not able to clean up everything completely due to how the cannon fits together and was molded.  The photos below highlight those issues.

 

 

 

 

 

Following is some technical information about the actual cannon.  The M256 L/44 tank cannon is a varient of the German Rheinmetall RH-120 L44 built in the USA under license.  The American produced cannon has a different mount, cradle and recoil mechanism then the German produced one.  Performance is nearly identical between the two.  The M256's gun tube is surrounded by a thermal shroud to reduce the effects of barrel bend due to heat differentials and the bore is chrome plated.  The breech mechanism is a semi-automatic sliding wedge design. The breechblock contains the electrical contact firing mechanism and circuitry needed to send the electrical signal to the firing mechanism probe, which comes in contact with the ammunition cartridge primer.  Altogether the cannon weighs 3084kg, is 5.3 meters long, and produces a recoil energy of 3175kg/sec when fired, (you don't want to be in it's way).   The barrel has a service life of circa 1500 rounds and the breech circa 4500 rounds.  A good tank gunner can hit a target 3000 meters away with the right type of ammunition. 

 

During my time serving on the M1 four different rounds were used.  The M829A2/A3 APFSDS-T (Armor Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot - Tracer), nicknamed the "silver bullet" for use against armored targets.  The M830 HEAT-MP-T (High Explosive Anti-Tank Multipurpose - Tracer), almost always called the MPAT, for use againt a variety of targets from personnel to light armored vehicles to non-strengthend structures.  It could be set for both point and proximity detonation.  The M1028 Canister APERS (Anti-Personnel) round.  This was a muzzle actuated round containing circa 1100 tungsten balls that had the same effect as a very large shotgun.  Finally, the uncommon M908 HE-OR-T (High Explosive-Obstacle Reduction-Tracer) was issued for engaging hardened structures.  My tanks used this type of round during operations in places like Al Najaf or Fallujah.

 

Having now been in service since 1985 it is due to be replaced in the near future by a more effective cannon.

 

I also built up sections of both the kit's tracks and the aftermarket tracks I purchased.  These represent the T-158 track that was in use during my time on the M1; currently the T-158 LL version is used.  The kit tracks are actually look pretty good and with careful gluing remain "workable".  They do require some clean up of both flash and the nubs left over from nipping them.  The T-Rex tracks are resin with metal track pins and require no clean up at all.

 

Below are the parts needed for each set to make a track block.

 

I assembled a short run of both track sets.  The T-Rex tracks are more flexible then the kit ones, but the kit tracks are flexible enough.  Both sets look pretty accurate to me.

 

Having run into fit issues with aftermarket tracks on sprockets in previous builds I assembled the track runs, and one of the sprockets, to test the fit early on.  The T-Rex set fits perfectly.

 

 

 

Unsurprisingly, so does the kit track set.

 

I am going to use the T-Rex set, but I think I'll assemble the kit set as well and either use them for a diorama, or I may just give them away to someone who wants a very good workable set of tracks for the M1 tank.

 

Ernest

Edited July 2 by Greif8
Grammer

[Mal_Belford]

Dont know that much about M1 tanks or tracks, in my eyes looks very nice and crisp indeed. lol, yes assemble each one, sweet therapy time buddy...havent forgot my tank, each track part lol.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1 by Mal_Belford

[Kagemusha]

Great project, and it's better to put too much related information in, than not enough, it's fascinating.