Reviews : Tamiya US M1A1 w/Mine Plow Tank

This is the first kit that I've painted/assembled in a very long time. On a whole I was pleased with it, but having served on the M1A1 for 12 years, to include a plow tank, I noticed several discrepancies in some of the detailing, while other tings were over detailed, in comparison to the real thing. Not that big of a deal, unless you served on one, you wouldn't know the difference. Still, could have used a little more extra add-ons for authenticity. One thing though, at least for the inexperienced modeler, is the order of the directions. Don't follow them, or it will make painting and assembly that much more difficult. I did the hull first, then the turret and left the mine plow for last, before mounting. Working with the chains and wire was a pain- disliked this part of the kit nearly as much as I hated dealing with the real thing.

This is my 2 Abrams by Tamiya and I enjoyed it. I decided not to add the plow. Not that anything was wrong with it. Went with the NATO camouflage so it would be different then my M1A2 Iraqi Freedom version. It toke a little longer adding the 3 different colors, but it looks sharp. PROS: The instruction book was up to Tamiya standards. Decals, fit and detail perfect. Two figures come with the kit. Painting instructions for either desert or NATO versions uniforms on the figures really helped. Am a Navy Vet. CONS: The only thing is I wish that they gave you the option of a 105mm gun barrel versus the 120mm that comes with the kit. I am looking for another reason to add another Tamiya Abrams to my collection. Keep on enjoying the BUILD.

This is another good kit from Tamiya. I built it with the Desert Storm Modern Desert Sand paint scheme. Everything assembled well. There was no flash on the parts. The mine plow part of the kit will move with careful assembly and very careful use of the glue. i don't move mine, because every time I try to adjust it, I break a part. As with all Tamiya rubberband type tracks, I put a couple of staples across the track join to hold the ends together. Another hint is not to glue the drive sprockets in place before the track is added. If you thread the track around the wheels and fit the sprocket in place last with the track around it, it save stretching the track and possibly breaking it.

Tamiya tried and true. Selected this one over regular M1A1's because of the Mine Plow. Chains, counter weights and movable sleds made this a fun build and held the attention of the grandkids. Some of the finer details and parts a little heavy on the molding so not quite true to size (according to Google images) but none-the-less worked out well. Chose not to overall paint and left to Tamiya's desert colored plastic which isn't horrible, but after finishing seems rather boring. Perhaps I need to learn to 'age' or 'weather' a kit for better results??

I am a retired Army Tanker. I was on this tank for over 20 years. Loved putting this model together and definitely brought back some memories of the old days. The directions are easy to follow, just take your time. It helped knowing this vehicle both inside and out (and knowing the mine plow as well). Might have to add another one to the shelf at some point. Enjoy.

Outstanding, I would recommend to any skill level. As the model is just wonderful. Very easy to understand instructions. This kit has been around for more than ten years and I think that is testimony of how nice a kit this is. Just exceptional; the resin is very detailed and the extremely accurate detentions and clean parts makes for a great build.

Overall this is a great kit. The instructions are very clear, except in one area. The fit was very good also, didnt have to fill any gaps or clamp any parts together. I would definitely buy another one to build the other variation of it.

Looks like this could be a good build. Still have a bunch of unfinished stuff but just lost interest with Covid messing with my head. Look forward to starting this to get the mojo going again.

I am fairly new to model building but I liked this kit. It was a little hard to follow the front plow assemble but I think it still came out good.