Recently delivered were the first of 59 M1A1 AIM(SA) ABRAMS Main Battle Tanks for the Regular Australian Army. These new tanks are the first part of a huge upgrading of the Australian Army’s equipment. The ABRAMS are constructed by General Dynamics and it was decided that a model of the new tank was required by General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia for displays.
DMG was asked to construct a model of the new tank in a scale of 1:16. With no kit of the ABRAMS available in this scale the model had to be scratch built. The main hull and turret was constructed of Evergreen Styrene and was a relatively easy task with the body being flat sided and angular. A single wheel was constructed and cast in polyurethane resin to make up the 14 road wheels and two idler wheels at the front. The main drive wheel sprockets were also constructed in plastic and cast in polyurethane. Most of the detail parts were also cast, just in case any additional models might be required.
One of the most challenging parts of this model was going to be the tracks. Through a fellow modelling friend we managed to track down (please excuse the pun) sets of cast metal tracks from overseas in the correct scales. These tracks are used to upgrade several model tank kits that have been produced by commercial companies such as TAMIYA in the same scale.
The model was assembled and painted in the standard “Desert Sand” colouring the tanks have arrived in. Additional details were constructed in brass rod and plastic and fitted to the model. The ABRAMS was then “dirtied up” a little with a light dusting of brown spray in appropriate places and a lead pencil was run along some of the edges to look as if paint had been worn away in heavy wear areas.
Lastly the decals where applied. These included the Red Roos that now adorn many Australian Army Vehicles when on operations and the name “CHAUVEL” which is the name given to the first Australian ABRAMS. The model was sprayed with a coating of flat lacquer and mounted into its display case.
We are very pleased with the result and our M1 model will be a hit at shows for many years to come. 
The old and the new