Eduard US M-1A1/A2 Abrams, photo-etched brass in 1/72nd–scale for DML kit (22055)

by Frank De Sisto

Contains two frets and four pages of instructions. Price: $19.95 USD.

Photo-etch had its beginnings with railroad modelers, especially those who worked in the smaller scales. It did not take a giant leap of imagination to see that this process would benefit AFV modelers. This is especially true while we witness what is, for want of a better expression, a “renaissance” among the smaller scales within the world of AFV modeling. Newly tooled small scale kits are in many cases quite detailed. Adding photo-etched parts to them will bring them up to an unprecedented level of detail. To fill this need, Eduard is slowly releasing more and more sets for the current crop of kits.

For the hull, his set features grills for the rear engine exhaust and intake louvers, rear mud flaps, tow clevis mounts and vehicle lifting hooks. There are inverted “U”-shaped periscope guards/covers for the driver’s hatch, new front fender mud flaps, as well as various brackets and weather stripping for the fenders and side skirts. There are also parts for a completely new APU of the type sometimes seen fitted during 1991’s Operation Desert Storm.

The turret is detailed with a completely new APU as seen on the current Abrams MBT, as well as tow cable storage brackets, smoke grenade launcher mounting brackets, parts to detail the external smoke grenade storage boxes, optional “Dog House” sight box doors (for the ‘A1 or ‘A2), hatch details and screening for the bustle stowage rack. The 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns receive new grips, ammo boxes, trays and ammo belts (for both the ‘A1 and ‘A2 mounts). However, there are no pintle mounts provided for the machine guns, or circular “skate” railing for the loader’s machine gun, which is a shame. There are also the flat CIP panels provided for the front faces of the turret, but none of the louvered style for the sides and rear. Some extra stowage is provided in the form of four 40mm grenade ammo boxes, commonly seen on current US tanks. Also included is a communications wire reel, an eight-sided Tac number plate for the rear of the turret’s bustle rack, a drive sprocket rim/tooth section and an extra 12.7mm machine gun ammo box.

The few oversights, whose inclusion would have lifted this set to the level of “excellent” make this set merely “extremely handy”. I would also imagine that this set could be used on the Revell offering of the Abrams, as very few parts would need to be designed as a “custom fit”. All of this will go a long way towards easing the task of the small-scale modeler who wishes to add that certain level of finesse, which always lifts any model out of the ordinary.

Recommended.

Eduard products are available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer at: www.eduard.cz. Visit their web site for images of reviewed items.