USMC 2nd Tank Battalion M1A1 Heavy Armor

Brian Eberle
Steps 1, 2, and 5 are done, with exception for the drive sprocket outer cover, which I will add once the track is in place. I must say the suspension system was well done by Trumpeter, with excellent fit for the road wheel arms, drive wheel arm and return rollers. The arms fit well, and in several cases very snugly. No glue needed for the road wheel arms. The suspension system is fixed and would require some careful positioning to allow, or show articulating road wheel travel over uneven ground. Mine is for flat display, so I needn't bother. Sanding the road wheels was a tad tedious, but nothing compared to the individual track sections that follow. Three hours into the build and so far so good. Good job Trumpeter. Onto step 4 - the track links. Step 3 is optional for the rubber track, in lieu of the individual that links I prefer.

Brian Eberle
I encountered a small issue with the build. I test fit the track link to the road wheels and discovered the space was too narrow to accept the guide horn. Ughh. It was time to undo work already completed. I am not sure how I accomplished this feat. I have been an armor modeler for nearly 40 years and have NEVER experienced this before. Did I make a mistake or is this a kit design issue? Regardless, I spent a few hours applying a debonding agent to separate the road wheels. Of course I used Plastruct plastic weld liquid cement that fused the road wheels together, so this was not a simple nor quick process. Unlike CA, the liquid cement melts the two plastic parts together, and a debonder only weakened the bond, not dissolve the cement like it would to CA. I literally 6 hours spent prying the road wheels apart, setting the proper spacing and re-cementing them in place. I was not planning on depicting road wheel damaged surfaces, but I have some with that effect now. I am fortunate that most of the road wheel damage is along the tract where the guide horns pass, so the damage could be realistic.

With that issue resolved, I moved onto the track assembly which has gone smoothly. The track is assembled into two sections per side, and is now ready for painting. I plan to paint and weather the track for installation later in the build. Prior to installing the completed track, I intend to finish, paint and lightly weather the chassis and road wheels– as this area will be more difficult to access once the drive sprocket cover and side armor are in place. Once the model is mostly assembled, I plan to install the completed track, and the side armor, and mask off the track for final painting.