1/87 Patton's M1a1 Light Tank

[Texman]

Looking for a break in aircraft, I decided on a piece of armor. Here, I chose the M1A1
light tank as used by Major General Patton during the Tennessee maneuvers in the
summer of 1941. I picked this one, as it had some color to it.

This kit is from Alberto Perilli, dated 2011. Using the basic kit, I rescaled it from 1/72 to 1/87.
Using Inkscape, the panel lines were given a bit of shading, as well as a very thin "ghosting" of
white in the center of the panels, to simulate a little bit of wear. I tried not to over do it, as this
tank would have been kept pretty clean (it is the ride of the 2nd Armored Division boss after all).

My build started with the part I dreaded most, the running gear. I punched the holes in the road wheels,
as well as the aft wheel. This was followed by removing the centers and outer parts of the front sprocket.
After assembly of the wheels, I then prepared the treads, by removing the white parts between each link
(where the front sprocket teeth would sit). There were approximately 280 of those. After assembling the
main body of the tank, I add lots of greeblies to add depth to such items as the mufflers, fuel tanks,
hatch latches/hinges, covers etc. Also added were tow latches front and back.

The .50 cal machine gun on top was built up from layered parts, with a styrene rod barrel added.
This was followed by the two turret machine guns and the main gun, again styrene rod and tube.

The headlights were made using a domed piece of card, painted silver on the inside, followed by a clear acetate lens.
The exhaust pipes were made from rolled printer paper.
Lastly, the flag masts were made from toothbrush bristles.

And there we have it. Perfect? Nope. But, I am pleased with it, and it will look nice on the shelf

Let's take a look.

[smithdr]

Well...your definition of "perfection" is different then mine. I can't imaging opening all those tiny holes. Excellent model, Ray!


Bringing it to the convention?



Dan

[Don Boose]

This is a great model, Ray!

As you know, I have a particular interest in interwar U.S. Army mechanization and the associated armored fighting vehicles, so I am glad to see this model.

Alberto put out a series of very interesting U.S. and British interwar armor models. I wonder what happened to him?

Don

[Texman]

Dan, Don, thank you for your compliments and comments. Yes, it will make it to Sterling.

[RyanShort1]

Where did you find the kit? Is it available for download somewhere?

[Siwi]

It's quite striking to see a tank with some bright colours!
This looks really neat and has plenty of details. It wasn't until I reached the dollar photo that the small scale became apparent.

[rifleman]

very nice build indeed well done sir well worth the extra work

[Texman]

Simon, Mark, thank you very much! I did enjoy this little build.

Ryan, this was available from Ecardmodels, way back. Probably in the first
iteration of the store. As we have no contact with Alberto, I'm not sure it
will be available again.

[Don Boose]

Several of Alberto's interwar AFVs (but not the M1A1, unfortunately) are available from Downloads/Military Vehicles and Hardware/Perry.

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/...=searchresults

Don

[RyanShort1]

Well, it looks like it can be found here!

M2A1 Light Tank