Step 1. Detailing
Step 2. Full metal package - tracks, wheels, sprockets, suspension
Step 3. Hi-po gearbox...the new red plate one with the blue motors. Looking for speed out of my Abrams since it is a fast tank in real life

Step 1 pics - not much to do really since they're all tan.



Going to add a spare road wheel to the turret like on the real ones. I have some army bags and other turret detail items coming.


Thanks for looking!

Awesome tank!

You got a nice start, keep us posted with the progress shots.

Bought a trailer for her and the KT

i am in the process of building a 6x6 Tamiya King Hauler to move them both around

I agree, keep us updated what you are doing. Detailing, Did you paint the entire tank then weathered it? Looks great. What airbrush are you using? I'm just reading up and practiced a little with cardboard and colored water. My HL Abrams came with the zinc metal gears, tracks & drive wheels. This is my first tank and learning too. I'm waiting to put in the IMEX drive gears, next time I crack it open.

I used some 1000grit scotch sand paper to very lightly sand the hull to knock off the shine then added the camo / rust detail

the black on it it 75% tamiya black and 25% grey to give it a lighter finish as if it were runner (on the front flaps, which are actually rubber on the real tank

Did you put the metal wheels on your Abrams? I have mine with springs. Just primed the metal wheels. This weekend I hope to start taking the tank apart and begin putting in the upgrades I already purchased.

Wheels are on. Have not primed or painted them yet though...still deciding color.

it has the tank army ultimate gear boxes, red motors, leopard 2A4 tracks with rubber pads and tank army wheels.

waiting for the through axle front wheel to be in stock at tank army then it's basically be done, as is my king tiger.

my dad just put metal wheels on his Abrams too

also, the weight of the metal wheels is too much for the small screws holding them on it seems. I may have to put a larger screw in and a bolt on the back.

the plastic seems to be stripping under hard use (turning on grass) with metal wheels and tracks.

VERY important to tighten wheels before each use.

You'll want the metal suspension arms and sprockets to go along with the wheels and tracks.

Everything is metal.

suspension arms too.

i mean where the metal suspension arms bolts to the hull is seeming to be and issue.

too tight and it binds is the issue I'm having a problem with, even with the correct washers.

so I can't torque them down and they're wallowing out the hull hulls.

I I think I have to do a bearing in the arm and a nut and bolt through hull

Very nice! I'd like to see those gearboxes once theyre up and running, they seem very good on paper and the price is right, I just have not had the chance to talk to anyone who's had them running yet.

Which tracks did you get specifically? I know there are a few metal options for the Abrams; solid metal ones that are apparently pretty heavy, and the rubber padded ones from HobbyRaw (as far as I know, probably elsewhere) that have had good reviews & are much lighter.

*edit*

Whoops, I now see that you used Leopard tracks. How are they fitting on the Abrams gear?

And Kenny Kong has two types of Abrams tracks. A1 style and A2 style. Rubber pads are slightly different between the two.

They fit great on Abrams since running gear the same to my knowledge

red gearboxes are smooth

blue motors are in between stock and red in terms of performance

i run all red motors since they're only $14...

I really like those red motors, I wish I had an easier supply of them as shipping from AUS is pretty expensive / slow. I also wish they'd publish the motor stats..!!

I have them in my Pershing and another project and they're unbelievable, every tank should have them & then be slowed down via radio

I see the through front axle is in stock for the Abrams. I ordered mine. I have the metal wheels painted and put together. They are not on the lower body yet. I have been too darn busy to get any work done on the tank. I may just wait to get that axle and then get everything done. I go down to the local cemetery and cut my two family sections since 1988. This is my fourth year cutting twenty plus veterans graves and the people around them Wished these veterans were buried together but they are not. That takes me three hours to get it all done.

Hi,

If you are looking for the REAL US-ARMY Desert color Tan for your Abrams tank! Check this! :-)

HENTZEN ORIGINAL MILITARY US-ARMY DESERT PAINT

Don't look further if you need the real US-ARMY desert paint, this is the REAL-DEAL desert tan paint from Hentzen Coatings!
*** This paint make each US-ARMY scale model very special ***

Can contains: 250ml
Brand: Hentzen military coatings
Color: TAN 686A 33446 VOHAP FREE
Type Paint: ZENTANE MIL DTL-53039C, TYPE 1

Note: This paint is not for sale in your local hobby store because of ITAR restrictions, comes right from the US base in Germany

Note: I have a couple of this cans left

Price: 12,50 euro 1 x can 250ml (ask me for shipping cost)

Patrick from the Netherlands [email protected]

Yeah I dont think i would put all that metal on a stock HL type suspension. The spring system they use is just way too soft and unreliable for me. now if Asiatam or someone brings out a Reasonably priced hull with suspension then that is a different story. I think all the extra weight is just going to cause problems in the long term. We have seen this over the years with all the older HL models with their original type of spring suspension.