DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

Product Specifications.

3535, M1A1 AIM. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit, containing 472 styrene parts (including 31 clear), one bag of Magic Tracks, two photo-etched brass frets, one formed brass part, one metal spring, one turned aluminum part, one piece of wound metal wire, seven pieces of formed steel wire, one sheet of peel-and-stick material, one sheet of paper material, nine waterslide decal/markings schemes and ten pages of instructions in 19 steps.

Introduction.

With its involvement in the segment of the War on Terrorism that's being waged in Iraq, the Abrams MBT is now well into its third decade of service. Since its first combat deployment in 1991's Operation Desert Storm, the M1A1 has proved itself to be a reliable and powerful combat vehicle. There have been numerous attempts to produce a scale replica of this tank, but all have had their problems either with accuracy or the overly simplified representations of complex features. Recently, DML released an M1-based Panther II mine clearing tank, which was really very well-done; certainly it was miles ahead of any Abrams kit that had come before. This new M1A1 AIM kit is light-years beyond anything previously seen.

Tracks.

The model is furnished with a bag of individual-link "Magic Tracks", which will fit together using friction. They represent the T-158 "Big Foot" tracks and capture the appearance of the type quite well, within the constraints of the molding technique employed. Each link has a mold attachment pip that needs to be removed, with the usual clean-up needed; this is besides the two ejector pin marks present on the inner faces of each of the links. The tracks will also need glue to make their positions permanent.

Suspension System.

The road wheels include, for the first time in any Abrams kit, clear styrene parts to represent the thick plastic-like hubs that allow for easy assessment of the axle lubrication level by the crew. The remainder of each two-part wheel pair is molded in the usual light grey styrene. The drive sprockets feature properly-shaped lighting/mud chute holes as well as a choice of two different tooth ring patterns. There are also two styles of mud scrapers for the area just forward of the sprockets. All torsion bars are separate parts, with the first ones on each side connected to the adjustable idler wheel axle by a multi-part assembly; the remaining axles can be positioned in any position for depicting rough travel of the model in a diorama display. Separate return rollers finish the suspension system.

Hull.

The hull is a completely new molding and is quite different from that seen in the M1 Panther II kit. It includes a molded-on rear plate with complete detail as well as complete sponsons. The former was a separate part, while the latter were sheet styrene additions in the Panther II kit. All wheel stations as well as the integrally-molded final drive housings are fully detailed, while complete weld bead detail is seen where appropriate. Interestingly, the tow clevis mounting points are molded in place, with pre-opened eyes; these can accept one of two styles of clevises.

The integrally-molded rear plate is further detailed with separately-molded tail-lamps and armored shrouds; the lamps themselves feature clear parts for their lenses. A tow hook and base are also separate parts, as are the lifting eyes. The beautifully-rendered engine exhaust and intake doors contain complete inner baffle details as well as separate outer grills. These can be depicted opened or closed and could probably be made workable with a bit of extra effort. This area is where every other Abrams kit ever made (except for the DML Panther II) falls far short of expectations; for this reason alone, these other offerings are all obsolete.

Superstructure.

The superstructure is a remarkable piece of slide-molding; it contains non-skid texture, raised numerals and weld bead details in the appropriate areas, has the proper openings on the port side and has detailed fuel filler ports. Separate caps for them can be left opened or closed. Other separate parts include a tool box lid (with, surprisingly considering the level of detail seen elsewhere on this kit, molded-on latch handles) as well as various vents and lids (some in etched brass where a screen effect is warranted). Separate parts are also provided for the roof and side plate to depict the NBC pack installed on the port side in place of the original stowage box. There are two different styles of multi-part driver's hatch lids, which include clear parts for the periscope heads; the lids (of course) can be depicted opened or closed.

Up forward, there are separate front fender/mud-flap sections, which can be depicted raised, lowered, or removed. Each has three pre-formed steel wire parts to represent the torsion bar spring and its attachment points, for an extraordinarily detailed appearance; also included are the often-seen track end-connector parts that are attached to the torsion bar. A formed wire part is also provided for the grab handle seen on the port side fender/mud-flap section. Separate head-lamps (with separate clear parts for their lenses) and brush guards, as well as lifting hooks and tow cable clevises complete this area.

A great deal of attention has been paid to the engine deck, which combines separate styrene access plates with etched brass screening for extremely intricate details. Likewise, separate lids are also provided for the battery compartment, which itself has inner wall plates molded as part of the hull piece. This entire area is tailored for the installation of an after-market power pack, should the modeler wish to go that route.

The side armor skirts are made up of four main segments and include complete attachment rods and girders; they are also molded to represent the various thicknesses of the plates. Hinge details are properly placed (unlike most other kits on the market) and separate etched brass parts are provided for the weather-stripping seen along the top edges, as well as the hollowed-out rectangle-shaped object on the forward edge of the front segment (the TM cited below says it's a "lifting tube" for the insertion of a crowbar to help move the skirt during track maintenance); there are several etched brass bolt heads that are to be used in this area as well. Finally, the last skirt section on each side has the proper cut-away appearance and also has hinge detail, with the latter item not seen on most other Abrams kits.

Turret.

Starting with the 120mm M256 smooth bore main gun, the turret is full of options. The main gun can be constructed using a turned aluminum "core" part with styrene additions, or it can be made completely from styrene. Either version can be made to "recoil" using the supplied steel spring. The seven-part mantlet is completely detailed on all sides, while there is a rudimentary breech, with a two-position block, for the interior.

The commander's cupola is made up of 18 pieces including clear vision devices, with another 11 styrene and two etched brass parts for the 12.7mm M2 heavy machine gun, its mount and ammo box. The loader's hatch lid (there are choices of two different types) is composed of eight styrene and two etched brass parts, including a clear vision device, while 12 styrene and etched brass parts comprise the 7.62mm M240 machine gun, its mount and ammo box. Both machine guns come from slide molds so they have pre-drilled bores and detailed receiver groups with separate tops. Each also has finely-molded belted ammunition as well as decals to depict the ammo box data stencils.

Elsewhere on the turret there are two different types of ammo compartment blast door configurations (plain and with "cookie" vents), two different crosswind sensors (that can be shown in the folded or extended position), and two different configurations for the gunner's primary sight "dog house". The latter can be shown with the sight aperture doors opened or closed; it includes a clear part for the optics. The smoke grenade launchers each consist of ten parts, including separate grenades (two types) and properly-molded armored conduit covers. Although they are hollow in the back, there are still some shrink marks on the thick parts that comprise the main launcher housing; this will be easy to fix with a bit of putty. The stowage boxes for the grenades can each be modeled opened or closed and also include separate rounds. The tow cable can be made using an all-styrene assembly, or styrene, etched brass and wound metal wire. Either version includes complete and properly-rendered fastening devices.

The main turret bustle stowage basket consists of the main frame in styrene from a slide mold, with etched screens and other styrene parts to finish it off. A finely-detailed external APU box (with etched screens and decals) is fitted back there, while an etched jerry can rack and bustle rack extension can also be mounted; check references to see if your chosen tank mounts these last two items. The turret side stowage boxes are well-detailed multi-part assemblies, that can be depicted opened or closed, but the lids still have molded-on handles. Each includes the external rack for holding a 12.7mm ammo box.

Various antenna bases and mounts, CITV cover, conduit housings and other odd detail bits finish the turret assembly. In addition, most of the below-mentioned accessory stowage items are also meant to be mounted on the turret, giving a most realistic finish.

Accessories.

Several common stowage items seen on the Abrams MBT are included in the kit. There is a pair of spare road-wheel halves and the extra unused toothed rings from the drive sprockets can also be used for spare stowage. An excellently-detailed articulating tow bar assembly is also provided as are a pair of catch basins often seen below a parked tank as fluid leak containers. Four spare 40mm grenade ammo boxes, a pair of 12.7mm ammo boxes and six jerry cans (three each of two types) are also provided. All of these are either multi-part units or are slide-molded for complete detail. A piece of printed paper to make up four cardboard MRE cartons (with separate outer slip-cases) is also provided; these must be cut out and folded. Optional fittings include bustle stowage rack extension and jerry can rack in etched brass, CIP panels (flat style made from "peel-and-stick" die-cut, pre-printed paper, and louvered style in styrene) and Tac number panels, also from pre-printed peel-and-stick paper. The final extra is the multi-part deflector assembly seen centered on the tank's rear exhaust panel doors.

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Molding is, for the most part, up to DML's current high standards. I noted sink marks on parts A10 and 11 (the smoke dischargers, mentioned above), and ejector pin marks on the track links, parts H and K. There are several seams on the superstructure molding (part T7) that will need care in their removal, especially along the lower outside edges. The fit between this part and the hull pan (part Y) is a bit sloppy on the undersides, where the sponsons meet the side plates. Line things up properly fore and aft (where the fit is excellent) and let the gaps on the sponson/side plate joint fall where they will; then fill with styrene strip or putty. It's really not as bad as it sounds. The rather complex separate engine deck access lids, all six of them, fit extremely well to the main part after routine clean-up.

Accuracy and Details.

References indicate that the kit's overall visual accuracy is simply outstanding. I do not have what I'd consider to be reliable scale drawings with which to check specific sizes or positions of the major components, or the basic dimensions of the tank. Some of the references listed below do have drawings, but I believe their reliability is suspect. Because of this admitted lack of some basic reference material, some may then think that this review is "suspect". Oh well; to each his own…

For the most part, every effort has been made by DML's designers to depict every detail, down to the tiniest bolt head. With all of that, I am surprised that the handles seen on the turret stowage lockers and the superstructure roof tool box lid are molded in place. I believe a resin manufacturer has these available and I am sure that when the etched brass after-market guys set their sights on this kit, their sets will have the handles included, but as less-desirable "one-dimensional" parts. Well…I had to find SOMETHING to nit-pick!

Instructions.

The instructions are typical for a DML kit: VERY busy! Most of the major numbered steps have several sub-steps within them. Each line drawing has a host of parts depicted, often accompanied by a second drawing showing the options. I recommend the use of a felt-tipped "highlighter" pen to designate which option or group of parts is to be used; this will make it easier for the modeler to ignore all of the other stuff. Of course, the modeler should carefully check references to determine which options will be used in combination with which markings scheme, since the instructions are of minimal help here. Throughout the instructions, decal placement on accessory items are depicted, as are some color notes; paints are keyed to Gunze and Testors products. A nice touch is the descriptions regarding the differences between the M1A1 HC, M1A1 D and M1A1 AIM.

Decals and Markings Information.

Nine complete decal/markings schemes are given on the kit's extensive water-slide decal sheet. There are also three smaller sheets with generic markings as well as data stencils for various accessory items. As usual, the decals are from Italy's Cartograf and are crisply-printed, well-detailed, exhibit excellent color saturation and are in perfect register. Vehicles depicted are:

" M1A1HC, 1-64th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Iraq 2003.
" M1A1D, 1-68th Armored Regiment, 4th ID, Iraq 2003.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-77th Armored Regiment, 1st ID, Germany 2003.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID, Iraq 2004.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID, Iraq 2004.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID, Iraq 2004.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID, Iraq 2004.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID, Iraq 2004.
" M1A1 AIM, 1-4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID, Iraq 2004.

Using the Concord publications referenced below, I was only able to authenticate the first, second and fourth scheme listed above. Most of the 1-4th Cav tanks are slight variations on a theme from the same unit, so I would imagine they are correct as well. Most are finished in the NATO three-color scheme of FS30051 Green, FS34094 Brown and FS37030 Black, except the first two listed, which are finished overall in FS33446 Tan (a.k.a. CARC Tan 686).

Conclusion.

This is not your father's Abrams kit, by any stretch of the imagination. The manufacturer, along with input from enthusiasts such as Pawel Krupowicz and Ralph Zwilling, has put a great deal of effort into what appears in the box. In that respect, this kit is certainly on par with DML's Pz.Kpfw.IV and Tiger I kits. This kit will not "fall together", but will require concentrated effort on the modeler to get things right; the result will certainly be worth it.

Now, Mr. DML, how about accurate, new-tool, state-of-the-art kits of the Bradley (including the AAVP7A1 and MLRS), M109 and Stryker series'? And perhaps some Gen2 figures to crew them…

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to, the following:

" "Abrams: A History of the American Main Battle Tank, Volume 2", Presidio, by R.P. Hunnicutt.
" "The M1 Abrams Battle Tank", Osprey Vanguard No.41, by S. Zaloga.
" "M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982-1992", Osprey New Vanguard No.2, by S. Zaloga.
" "US Battle Tanks Today", Tanks Illustrated No.8, by S. Zaloga & M. Green.
" "M1-M1IP-M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank", Warmachines No.6, by F. Verlinden, W. Peters & P. Cooney.
" "M1 Tank", MBT of the World 2, Sunday Art.
" "Abrams Main Battle Tank M1A1 and M1A2", Museum Ordnance Special No.9, by G. Broman.
" "M1 Abrams in Action", Squadron Armor No.26, by J. Mesko.
" "Tank, Combat, Full-Tracked 105mm Gun, M1 General Abrams", TM 9-2350-255-10-3.
" "M1A1 MBT, Exterior Components", Military Vehicle Workshop Series No.13, by S. Arnold.
" "M1A1/A2 Abrams", Concord Mini Color Series No.7502, by W. Bohm.
" "Thunder Run, The US 3rd Infantry Division's Drive to Baghdad", Concord Mini Color Series No.7514, by R. Burik & E. Olson.
" "Steel Tigers, The 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment", Assault Vol.9, Concord 7809, by R. Zwilling.
" "1-1 Cav in FTX Sabre and Commanche Ramp", Assault Vol.12, Concord 7812, by T. Matzold, D. Nowak & C. Niesner.
" "An Eyewitness Report: Operation Iraqi Freedom Road to Baghdad", Special Ops Vol.26, Concord 5526, by Y. Debay.
" "An Eyewitness Report: Operation Iraqi Freedom Victory in Baghdad", Special Ops Vol.27, Concord 5527, by Y. Debay.
" "Coalition Forces in Iraq 1", Special Ops Vol.29, Concord 5529, by C. Schulze & Y. Debay.
" "Coalition Forces in Iraq 2", Special Ops Vol.30, Concord 5530, by C. Schulze & Y. Debay
" "Task Force Danger: With The Big Red One in Iraq", Special Ops Vol.33, Concord 5533, by R. Zwilling.
" "Task Force Baghdad: With the 1st Cavalry Division First Team in Iraq", Special Ops Vol.36, Concord 5536, authors unlisted.

Reviewer's note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.

- Frank De Sisto