It's been well over 12 months since I finished an armour model. In fact, I started this one shortly after finishing that one but lost interest. My "shelf of doom" is actually on my modelling desk so unfinished projects sit there mocking me. Eventually I got sick of this one doing that so decided to get it done.
It helped that the theme for the 2026 NSW Scale Model Show's Panzer Tracks Trophy was modern subjects in 1/48.
The Kit
- 1/48 Tamiya M1A2 Abrams (TA32592)
The Conversion
- Flowfire Models Australian M1A1 AIM SA Abrams conversion
Flowfire Models is a one man operation based in Canberra who produce various conversions and full kits. I picked this conversion up via a mate who is a friend with the owner.
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| Conversion Parts |
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| Conversion parts (not my image) |
The Build
This is my second 1/48 Tamiya Abrams (the first one is here). As usual the plastic Tamiya parts pose no problems to even the most hamfisted of modellers.
Using the 3D printed conversion is relatively straight I forward. While no instructions were supplied, there are images on the 1/48 Scale Amour Facebook Group that show where things go.
The images below show the conversion parts fitted. The piece not fitted is the telephone option for US vehicles. The smoke grenades aren't part of the conversion but were downloaded from Cults3D. I ended up not using them as the units rarely fitted them.
All the parts fit pretty well. I had issues with the tracks due to shrinkage. Flowfire models contacted me and advised that mine was an early conversion and he'd changed his resin since then. He offered replacements but I'd got them fitted (hiding the worst bits under the skirts) so I declined.
Paint
- Tan - SMS Auscam Tan . I added some green and blue to cool it down a little and make it a little less Pink. It's probably fine from the bottle but I wanted a different shade
- Green - Mr Color 303 FS 34102
- Black - SMS Camo Black
Tan was the first colour coat applied before I masked it with Therapy Putty. This comes in different grades (firmness). I have the the firm and unlike Panzer putty this holds it shape for more than 2 seconds.
I am pretty sure all the modelling "Panzer Putty's are just the less firm version of Therapy Putty.
Next was the green and then the black.
There was a fair bit of back and forth before I ended up with a pattern. I was using images as references but there was a fair bit of difference between vehicles. In the end I basically made it up. What I didn't know at the time was that the Aussie Abrams had at least 3 different camouflage schemes during its service.
Markings
I decided to make the decals myself based on some images I saw online. I drew them up in Corel Draw and printed them on Laser Decal paper using a colour laser printer at work.
Whilst they printed really well, the red on the Roos ended up a lot darker after they were sealed with a clear Lacquer and I didn't really like the colour.
To resolve this, I decided to try and make masks. My Silhouette Portrait couldn't quite manage the size of the Roo (the legs were so thin I doubt the paint would get in the gap between the masking material).
But after looking at images online, I noticed there were different sizes in the Roos on some tanks, Some even looked like they were roughly applied in the field (They had more over-spray than a model from Bruce's Scale Models 😃 ). So I scaled the Roo up slightly. I also made the thinner parts of the Roo, (the tail, and legs) a little wider than the standard roo I'd downloaded so it would be easier for the airbrushed paint to get in the gaps. While not perfect it's better than the decals.
I also made masks for the Chevrons and 11A number. These were applied to bits of plastic card and the panels cable tied on (OK I stuck some rigging thread around to try and make it look like they are tied on).
The ARN (ADF rego number) and tank name are decals, they worked OK. I'm not sure if the 68 on the nose is correct in colour, outline or location but it was stuck on and wasn't coming off.
To get the white writing for the tank name I used a piece of spare white decal cut to size and then applied the black decal over it.
Stowage
The ammo cans/water jerry-cans are 3D Printed stuff, the files were downloaded from Cults3d (Thanks to "Bluey"). There are a couple of other 3D Printed boxes from someone else on Cults (who I can't remember.)
Some of some tarps / camo netting were made from Magi Sculpt (Thanks to Sam at @sd_scale_models for the instructions) along with one from the spares box.
I also "made" some fabric ones out of some fine mesh I collected from somewhere. The cardboard ration boxes are from J's modelworks ration boxes, (yes not accurate but I don't care). Straps are tape, Rope is thread.
I have applied the first washes using Sepia / Starship filth oil paints and sealed everything with GX114 flat before starting the weathering. At this stage I'd lost the conversion's M2HB 0.5 cal so was considering using the kit one. But Mark at Flowfire graciously offered to send me a replacement.
Weathering
Following advice from my armour guy's (@sd_scale_models) latest YouTube video I mixed up a couple of shades of dirt /dust using the AK Interactive Terrain Paste. As I didn't have another shade I used Vallejo Paints to "tint" the paste. This was applied using an old brush and then blended with a wet brush, working on small areas at a time.
I'd usually use pigments for this sort of thing but decided to give Sam's method a go. Although he's really an aircraft modeller now 
, he still appears to know something about armour modelling. I found this is way quicker and easier than pigments. I was only going to do the hull and running gear but liked the effect so did it over the turret as well.
Another wash was applied with a dark brown oil paint. Mr Color Weathering Color was used for the stains around the fuel filling points. Some scratches were applied with Vallejo German Beige and the airbrush used to add some exhaust staining.
The Base
The base was 50mm foam cut out using a hot wire foam cutter. The edges are 1.5mm balsa. The initial groundwork was AK Interactive Terrain Paste. A second application was needed where the paste cracked and then it was painted with Tamiya Khaki Drab.
Grass clumps were sourced from Ali Express. The texture on the base is leaves and mulch from my garden that was further crushed by forcing it through a tea strainer. It was secured using VMS sand and gravel fixer.
The tank was secured to the base by applying the tinted AK Interactive Terrain Paste (to match the ground) to the underside of the tracks and pushing it onto the base. The garden detritus was applied around the tracks to hide any gaps.
The rope around the smoke grenade launcher is cotton thread.
Following advice from my armour guy's (@sd_scale_models) latest YouTube video I mixed up a couple of shades of dirt /dust using the AK Interactive Terrain Paste. As I didn't have another shade I used Vallejo Paints to "tint" the paste. This was applied using an old brush and then blended with a wet brush, working on small areas at a time.
, he still appears to know something about armour modelling. I found this is way quicker and easier than pigments. I was only going to do the hull and running gear but liked the effect so did it over the turret as well.
Another wash was applied with a dark brown oil paint. Mr Color Weathering Color was used for the stains around the fuel filling points. Some scratches were applied with Vallejo German Beige and the airbrush used to add some exhaust staining.
The Base
The base was 50mm foam cut out using a hot wire foam cutter. The edges are 1.5mm balsa. The initial groundwork was AK Interactive Terrain Paste. A second application was needed where the paste cracked and then it was painted with Tamiya Khaki Drab.
Grass clumps were sourced from Ali Express. The texture on the base is leaves and mulch from my garden that was further crushed by forcing it through a tea strainer. It was secured using VMS sand and gravel fixer.
The tank was secured to the base by applying the tinted AK Interactive Terrain Paste (to match the ground) to the underside of the tracks and pushing it onto the base. The garden detritus was applied around the tracks to hide any gaps.
The rope around the smoke grenade launcher is cotton thread.
The grass was a little vibrant so I brush painted it with some Vallejo acrylics to de saturate it a bit.
The final steps were to add the antennas from broom bristles, make a flag from tissue paper soaked in CA glue, then sprinkle dried sea grass and some static grass on the model in places where I figured grass would accumulate. The 0.50 cal casing is 0.5mm brass wire. While it is a little big in diameter and there are no links, by now I didn't care.
Conclusion
Once I got into this project I really enjoyed it. I am not sure why I initially lost interest in it ito be honest.
The 3D conversion parts are simple to fit (bar the tracks which have been resolved) and the Auscam scheme is one of my favourites.
Weathering with AK Interactive Terrain Paste was super quick and simple. Making the base was good fun and I am very happy how it came out. I find armour bases much more fun to make than ones for aircraft.
I have plenty more 48 scale armour subjects in the stash. I need to get onto them.
The Photos
The Photos
