Tamiya, who was constantly presenting the 1/48 scale military series, announced the release of the M1A2 following the Humvee, the 10-tanks and the Self-Defense Forces.
It is very nice news for current military modelers and it seems that the release is the M1A2, which is the most popular item in the current product, so the expectation seems to add up. M1A2 is expected to continue to lead other products in the future, we will get the M1A2 prototype.
It is always advised that the prototype product is manufactured for testing purposes before the mass production, and it may be slightly different from the production product.
Body picture. Unusually, the lower body is made by separating the left and right bulkheads, unlike its 1/35 scale, which is made up of one mass. I think that it is a reasonable division due to the fact that the robustness at 1/35 scale which had to serve as the housing of motorized is no longer needed.
At the top of the body, a non-slip coating is reproduced. The driver hatch is molded in the car body, but it is a part that can be understood if we consider the scale, but frankly it is a little unfortunate. The car is manufactured in the same specification as the existing 1/35 scale M1A2 OIF kit, not SEP version, so I think that the M1A1 will be changed in the future.
The load wheel arm is fixed to the body as in 35.
It is the runner of the turret part. Simplified part splitting is a noticeable configuration. But considering the scale, it is also a part of the unification of the loading and unloading hatch.
The surface of the turret is also faithfully reproduced with a non-slip coating and weld line.
It is composed of Qurora for A2, Pomi, a flask and a side basket. 35 The configuration is like a simplified scale configuration, but the detail looks good enough.
It is a runner composed of a turret rear basket, a rear body part and other detail parts.
The simplified basket splitting looks excellent.
Split of a 120mm gun. We reproduce only the left side and the right side of the booster part in a barrel made in one body. I think it is very good detail.
You can see the APU seen on M1A1. The rear grille of the body is also simplified, yet it shows excellent detail.
A runner for the roadwheel and track. Tracks reproduce the T158 tracks with semi-connec- tions like the other 48 series. This runner contains two pieces.
Includes decal, weight, and polycap that can be used to reproduce two cars.
Because it is a prototype, it is printed on plain paper without a formally printed manual.
Overall
It is a great pleasure for 1/48 fans who have not been able to use the current product to produce a precious item that can satisfy their needs. I hope that I will be able to meet many of the 48 series of current armor.
Unfortunately, the M1A2 tank was not the SEP type, but the early version before it was modeled, and the fact that the M1A2 tanks were modeled as part of some of the A1’s, unfortunately the 2003 US Army’s M1A2 tank had not been put into action (The marking of the vehicle is from the vehicle put into Baghdad since OIF)
Though there is a bit of a sadness, overall quality is also showing a Tamiya configuration, and I think it is a charming kit enough for a lucky modeler to wait for the 48 scale current train.
This product will be released in October.
