Some real progress today with the first of three M1 Abrams I am getting off the work bench.
Being part of my Cold War forces I decided to paint them up in a plain light Olive Drab that seemed to be popular from 85-88ish. After MERDC, and before the NATO Scheme. I actually quite fond of it and might paint up the batch of Bradleys coming up.
The kit is by Hasegawa and a bit of a mis mash of versions, but it is generic enough for me.
I mixed the colour myself as I did not trust the Humbrol enamel. I used some for one of my HUMMWV's and it took over three days to dry. I am happy with the shade.
Normal weathering applied by dry brushing.
Homemade cam net glued on and painted.
I left off the 7.62 gun as it broke off and is bloomin fragile and not really up to the game table.
One down, two to go...
Model on!
One of my favourite modern tanks.....
ReplyDeleteCheers Fran, and one of the few still in production.
DeleteThey are an impressive looking tank. Really like what you have done with this one Paul. I do wish you would slow down a bit, I'm having trouble keeping up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rodger, it is a bit of a dodgy kit as a true A1, they called it E1 (for Experiment I think), but it is a good build.
DeleteSlow down...No you should speed up!
How can I speed up ?? I spend SO much time checking out your blog!!!
DeleteI do that at work so I can get more model time at home!
DeleteLooks great, Paul.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the 80s and 90s the US Army's shade of green turned more "medium" than OD and your M1 definitely looks the part.
The Army loved painting our tracks in a woodland scheme although when some left the shop for either a painting or some kind of refit we tended to get them back a solid green and I know that practice was also commonplace in the 80s as well.
It was not unusual to have some vehicles with camo and some vehicles in solid and there was no logical reasoning behind who got painted and who didn't. Can't wait to see the next batch. You can't beat an M1 tank ready for war!
Glad you like it Steven. I think the colour really gives some size to these beasts compared to a broken up scheme where at the distance its hard to judge.
DeleteI just finished another one so your wait is short.
Regards Paul
Nice job, Paul - I've been looking for Abrams tanks in 15mm, but not really found anything to accurately match my Peter Pig stuff; the QRF stuff is slightly too small...
ReplyDeleteThanks Monty,thankfully with plastic the differences are minor.
DeleteEven with 1/76 vs 1/72 its debatable that it matters on the table.
Very smart. Given my own inability to paint camo schemes I think overall olive is a good option!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this Tim, I could not face having to paint MERDC for the 6 M1's I have on the go.
DeleteI do have 2 in MERDC though.
Low, lean, fightin' machine...
ReplyDeleteYes Easternfunker, you Aussies are lucky blighters to have them.
DeletePaul very nice....MERDC isn't so hard, all you have to do is paint a few life sized vehicles and the rest is muscle memory...)
ReplyDeleteThankfully Don I will have to take your word for that.
DeleteI hope you don't see MERDC in your sleep mate!
I've been accused of that....)
DeleteTake two HUMMWV's before eating and call me in the morning.
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