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Book Review
Australian M1A1 Abrams
Australian M1A1 Abrams
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by: Tom Cromwell [ BARKINGDIGGER ]

introduction
The subject of this book by Gordon Arthur is the American-built M1A1 Abrams tank, as used by the Australian army since 2007. Chosen as replacements for the Leopard AS1, these Abrams tanks allow better interoperability with Australia’s closest military ally the USA. They also offer a proven vehicle at an affordable price, with no appreciable development period.
contents
Like other Tankograd books this comes in softcover A4-size format, with thicker card covers around 64 glossy pages. Text is in German and English, with 153 colour photos. Image quality is stunning.

The first six pages cover the procurement, delivery, deployment, and eventual upgrading of the tanks. Also included are paragraphs on the accompanying M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle and other support vehicles.

Then come the photos! 26 pages of the Abrams in service are followed by 17 pages of detailed walk-around shots. Next come five pages of the M88A2, and nine on assorted support vehicles such as the M113AS4 family of tracked vehicles and the MAN-built transporters with locally-sourced trailers. The tanks are seen in as-delivered sand as well as locally applied three-colour “AusCam” of green, tan, and black. While most show weathered and dusty tanks, there is a shot of a pristine freshly-painted tank in vibrant colours that would surely cost any modeller a trophy in the average AMPS or IPMS contest! The full load of field stowage is also well illustrated.
conclusion
This book is a treasure-trove of reference for the modeller of modern Australian armour.

This author wishes to thank Justin at Bookworld (aka Avid Reader) for the review sample of this new Tankograd title.
SUMMARY
Highs: Great pics and info.
Lows: None really - unless we count wanting more?
Verdict: Well worth having for Aussie fans and Abrams modellers.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: N/A
  Mfg. ID: 8008
  PUBLISHED: Jul 06, 2018
  NATIONALITY: Australia
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.20%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.19%

Our Thanks to Bookworld Publishing!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Tom Cromwell (barkingdigger)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

A Yank living overseas on a long-term basis, I've been building tanks since the early '70s. I relish the challenges of older kits (remember when Tamiya was "new"?...) because I love to scratch-build.

Copyright ©2021 text by Tom Cromwell [ BARKINGDIGGER ]. All rights reserved.



   
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