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Takin it to the Streets - Baghdad 2008

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Here is a take on the Dragon Models M1A2 SEP kit with the Legend TUSK upgrade. The tank is set on a vac-form diorama base made by Phoenix Models. The stowage on the model is a combination of kit items and cooler unit items courtesy DEF Models.

The Arabic wall slogans are from Archer Fine Transfers. Although the sheet of slogans was based on the war in Lebanon, I was able to isolate certain pertinent words/phrases - Dignity = Nation; Revolution; the Street of the Martyr - which served as generic slogans here.

The Commander figure is from a Master Box set, with the helmet display scratched from a little spare plastic/etch/wire.
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About the Author

About Robert Pollock (rob_pollock)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Rob is an IPMS (UK) member and an active member of Norfolk Scale Model Group (Check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Norfolk-Scale-Model-Group/1448855095344704.).


Comments

Very nice build but you should subdue the red bandana those where a big NO NO in the Army. The loaders uniform should be the ACU and not 3 tone camp. also those tow bars are very heavy I doubt the crew would want to lift it that high they where usually kept attached to the front or rear tow hooks
SEP 08, 2013 - 09:49 AM
Thanks for that Rick. I'm still playing around a little with the camo. With Mk 1 Eyeball at display height the uniform isn't bad, but under a macro lens the digital splash is too green, although the photos I used do show a greeny brown digital breakup. I plan on getting out a fine brush and a couple of buff shades to tone it down. Will probably apply a wash to the bandanna to cool it off. As there's so little uniform actually in view that should work ok. I had the tow bar in front to start with, but came across a photo of one heaved into stowage (for whatever reason), and liked the NATO-green colour effect as a contrast to the sand shades. Apologies to Abrams addicts for artistic licence!
SEP 08, 2013 - 09:30 PM
I'm just wondering was this type of armor protection used in Iraq in 2008?
SEP 08, 2013 - 11:27 PM
According to the Tankograd issue, Volume No 3009, "MIA1/M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK," and the in TUSK-in-Detail chapter, the configuration of the AFVs photographed is dated July 2008, and it's that set-up I've focused on for the build.
SEP 09, 2013 - 12:02 AM
PS in the commentary with the photos I mentioned the figure as from Master Box. It was one from the spares box and I realise now it's probably from a three-crew Verlinden set.
SEP 09, 2013 - 12:06 AM
Ok thanks for the info.
SEP 10, 2013 - 02:46 PM
Interesting....Man I would have loved to see some really righteous hi-detail M2HB's on those gun mounts..
SEP 12, 2013 - 09:16 PM
The Legend set came with a lot of detail, as you'd expect, but once everything is painted it gets a little lost in the build-up of the modular units. Still, there's more detail added or otherwise on show than came with the kit, good though the Dragon kit was in other respects.
SEP 19, 2013 - 03:34 AM
Excellent stuff. great build and brill work on the setting.
SEP 16, 2014 - 04:05 AM
The tank appears to be maneuvering through a very tight corridor and then there's the crater at the rear — creates tension! Nice job! —mike
SEP 16, 2014 - 04:39 AM