M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK II

Ingo F
Started my new build today. Its a very nice kit with many parts and crisp details. So far i have encountered only one problem. Ok its more a quality then a problem. The plastic is soft. Compared to other manufacturers like Trumpeter, Hobby Boss or Zvezda this one is way too soft.
You really need to be careful while sanding the parts. Its very easy to remove bolts or small deatails or sand a little bit more off than needed.

Dan M
Hey Ingo, nice start 👍. I'm in!
About that soft plastic .... I had the same impression on my AUF1 from Meng, that it's way too soft compared with Trumpeter or Dragon. How is Rye Field compared with Meng ?

Ingo F
Hey Dan, welcome on board. 🙂
In my opinion the Rye Field plastic is softer than MENG.

Ingo F
A little progress today. Its really fun to build this kit.

Brian Eberle
watching

Bryn Crandell
Gonna keep an eye on this. Been eyeing the kit and want to know if its worth it.

Ingo F
Slow progress on this kit. The turret is almost finished only the TUSK II Armor is missing. Very nice detais but unfortunately almost 70-80% of the parts have molding seam (pic 29). Also some of the part got sink and ejection marks that are visible. Removing them and the molding seam is time consuming and sometimes really pain in the ***. :/
I need to check if both other Abrams from Rye Field in my stash got the same problem or is it just this kit.

Erik Torp
Watching

Ingo F
Thank you James.

Patrick Hagelstein
I love the attention to detail! You're coming along nicely Ingo!

Ingo F
Thank you Patrick.

Dan M
Looks great so far 👍

Ingo F
Thank you Dan.

Ingo F
Finished the turret. Building the lower hull and wheels.

Ingo F
Finished the build. Next step will be priming.

Patrick Hagelstein
Indeed! The moulding looks awesome! Nice clean build Ingo!

Ingo F
Thank you guys. Took me a while to finish it but was really fun to build.

Dan M
Nice build Ingo! 👍. What about the tracks ? Any impressions so far ?

Michael Hickey
Looking forward to seeing more of this one come to life, looking great so far.👍

Spanjaard
looking good ingo. as usual 🙂

streetrod60
nice clean build 🙂

Ingo F
Hey guys, thank you for your comments.
@Dan: Tracks are done just forgot to upload the pictures. Will do it after work.
The tracks are ok, no issues at all. Hell of a work to clean all the parts for the tracks as a single link is made from 6 parts. Each side is made from 78 links. You have to clean 468 part per side or 936 for both sides.

Patrick Hagelstein
Sounds like a calming chore after a hard day at work. 😉

Ingo F
Yeah, thats right. Was cleaning them while listening to good music and playing some rounds of WoT. 🙂

Patrick Hagelstein
😄

Ingo F
Added some pictures of the assembled tracks.

Markus Kutsch The Plastic Bench
Great work so far👍

Ingo F
Finished the painting. Color was a mix of Tamiya Desert Yellow about 75-80% and 20-25% white.
I was able to test my new airbrush + compressor on the tank. Turned out pretty well. An layer of varnish and decals will be next.

Dan M
Nice job Ingo! Was it over a black primer ? I can see some shadows, looks very nice.

Ingo F
Thank you guys for your kind comments.
Yes Dan. it was nato black from tamiya. I always use it as a primer.
I will load some stowage on it, but not that much. Cound not find a single picture with an overloaded TUSK II Abrams. I am also going to do some light weathering but not too much.

Michael Hickey
Really coming to life now, can't wait to see her weathered.👍

Ingo F
Weathering is done. Its just a light weathering and i was trying not to overdo it. Added some chipping to the lower hull, mainly on the fenders and edges. Light sand pigments were used for the tracks. Right now only the stowage is missing like tarps, fuel and water cans, mre and cola boxes.

Dan M
I like the light weathered look of the hull, nicely done 👍. But no sand is visible on the tracks, they look too pristine for something that prowls the desert 🙂

Ingo F
Thank you guys.
@Dan: The last pictures shows the tracks with a little bit sand on it. 🙂
@James: Yeah, i had to restrain myself to not to go overboard with chipping and weathering. I think everytime i build such a "clean" vehicle, i need to build an tank from WW2 next and go crazy with weathering and chipping. 😄

Patrick Hagelstein
I like the way the weathering is restrained. Just keep in mind that in this timeframe the big tank battles were over and the Abrams was used in urban patrols, hence the U in TUSK.

Ingo F
Thank you Patrick. Yeah that why i weathered it just slightly and did not overloaded the tank with too much stowage. Just like you said, they were only used for patrols.

Dan M
Ah yes, Ingo, now I saw them, indeed the tracks look good

Ingo F
Completed! Here some photos of the completed model. My new whitebox will arrive the day after tomorrow and i will take some better photos.

Dan M
Good looking Abrams! I like it not too weathered.
What kit did you use for stowage? Those cool boxes look really nice.

Ingo F
Thank you Dan. All the stowage except the three tarpaulin are from the kit. The tarpaulin rolls are from the Legend M1A1 stowage set.

Spanjaard
congratulations Ingo, it looks fantastic

Ingo F
Thank you Spanjaard and James. I appreciate your comments. 🙂

Markus Kutsch The Plastic Bench
Perfect weathering for this Tank....very great, Mate👍

Ingo F
Than you Markus!

Anthony D'Agostino
I know I am late to the party, but she is a looker! I have never done armor before, so this will be new to me completely. I ordered two RFM kits, this one you built, and their "full interior" model. My plan is to install the TUSK I on this kit, and use the TUSK II for the "full interior" model, which does not have a TUSK option in the box. I hope that I am correct and the TUSK will fit the kit, since they are from the same tooling line. I also hope to upgrade the commanders turret with an aftermarket CROWS II kit.

As for weathering, I was a 19Delta, Cavalry Scout, recon for the tanks. Our Bradley's were very well worn, especially those at Ft. Knox, because of the clay that turned to mud, sometimes two feet deep, or more. No matter how hard we tried to clean them, it was impossible to remove the red clay stains, and all the seams were permanently discolored by the environment we operated in. The Abrams were no different, and it did not take long to achieve the weathered look, even with new inventory.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your inspiring build, it looks awesome! Cheers,

Anthony

Neuling
Top notch. I like the details on the turret, especially the weapons station with the extra protection shields for commander and gunner. This impressive Abrams should be placed in a Tikrit dio!

Zach Wilson
very nice work. The details are fantastic

Ingo F
Thank you guys!
@Neuling: Maybe i really should build an diorama for this one. I have checked the model and the hatches are not glued so i can open them for figures. Now i need some good pictures of the real one and an setting for the diorama. 😄