Tamiya's M1A1 Abrams tank

There's something funny with the Trumpeter track links, re. the resin wheels. None of the wheels seems to be suitable for an M1A1, the drive sprocket looks like it designed to fit exactly on a Leopard, because the design is very different than an Abrams drive sprocket. The two front rollers are larger than the rest of the Tamiya's roller wheels. I should be able to use the track links themselves, which will be a paint to clean up and assemble I think.

The Tamiya kit comes with a plow. I won't use it. I also won't fit what I think is an auxillary power generator outside at the rear.

I also bought some photo etch for an additional storage bin, but found the assembly so tricky, the photo etch being too thin, I tossed it all in the bin and not using it on the model.

The RB model metal+photo etch machinegun was fun to assemble. Maybe not 100% accurate, unsure.

The Tamiya kit has some odd things to it:
1) the metal railings connect weirdly to the sides, requiring some clean up.
2) Two pairs of shackel holders, without shackels, need drilling out, as they don't even have a hole in them.
3) Side skirt detailing is obviously a little flawed, re. molded hinges.
4) There aren't any details for holding the tow cable on the sides, scratch built with photo etch, and some styrene.
5) Tamiya kit doesn't include anti-slip pattern. This was recreated iirc with Mig-Ammo no-slip paste, very nice result.
6) Tamiya has no clear parts for the front lights.
7) Tamiya kit has some clear parts, but afaik not for all. Will add anti reflective self-adhesive stickers.
8) Tamiya kit has missing detail for latch handle, recreated with some copper wire. Also replaced plastic handle with copper wire somewhere else.
9) Some detail, being a blob of square plastic front and top on sideskirts, recreated with styrene to make a hollow shape.