Having tackled Rye Field Model’s recent 1/35 M1A1/2 TUSK in July issue, Kev Smith now assesses Academy’s new 1/35 multi-variant kit of the M1A2 Abrams
With the involvement of the Abrams in urban combat during the Afghanistan campaign, it became clear it was vulnerable, where the top of the tank was open to attack from small arms fire and rocketpropelled grenades.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) buried on roadsides or in buildings also took their toll, all of which led to the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK I/II) upgrade. To counter IEDs, an angled ‘keel’ was added to the underside to deflect blast away from the hull, reactive armour blocks were scabbed on the side skirts and turrets, and bullet resistant glass protection was mounted around the crew hatches on the turrets. A combat telephone was also installed on the rear of the tank to allow communication between accompanying infantry and the tank commander, as well as slat armour to protect the exhaust for the gas turbine engine, the blast from which was directed upwards by a deflector panel (which could be attached to the grille to protect the infantry behind).
Until recently, Tamiya and aftermarket conversion sets have been the only options for T…
