3536 - M1A2 SEP

"... really fine kit from DML and permits the modeler to build an M1A2 to match their M1A1 ..."

DML 3536: M1A2 SEP
1/35 injection plastic kit with decals, PE, metal barrel, cable and preformed metal

The M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) is a recent development in the ongoing upgrades for the US Abrams tanks. The first contract for the SEP equipped M1A2s was awarded in early 2001 and these tanks have seen considerable active service in Iraq. The M1A2 SEP has an embedded version of the Force XXI command and control architecture with commander's display for digital colour terrain maps; second-generation thermal imagers for the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) and also for the gunner; and for the driver an integrated display and thermal management system offering a wide-field-of-view. Other improvements including an onboard malfunction detector, engine changes to make it more multi-fuel capable, enhanced monolithic-composite construction armor, and the repositioning of the APU underneath armor for its protection.

The SEP is the second of Dragon’s newly tooled Abrams family. Like with the recent M1A1 AIM, it has sophisticated tooling with slide-molding, considerable attention to small detail, a turned metal barrel, photo etch, and other multi-media parts. Many new parts are included to thoroughly depict the M1A2 SEP’s unique features. There are three waterslide decal sheets, a large peel off sticker sheet and a printed cardboard sheet that can be folded into four MRE boxes.

The tracks have been changed to Dragon Styrene with separate injection plastic guide horns. The Dragon Styrene tracks are crisply detailed. To avoid damage the Dragon Styrene lengths are folded and sealed in plastic bags with a separate plastic spacer placed inside the fold to ensure the tracks are not creased. Given the M1A2 SEP has side skirts and little sag, this system should work well, as it does on the Dragon Shermans.

TURRET

The turret is based around a large single piece provides the upper and side shell for the turret, and another large molding for the under side. The turret includes numerous new parts to depict the M1A2 SEP. These include a new commander's cupola with internal detail and the commander’s thermal viewer, new VCSU conduits on the bottom of the turret, the GPS on CITV and the flat cover for the GPS which has fine bolt heads, new VCSU (Vapor Compression System Unit) with multipart conduits to provide finesse and new blow-off panels.

Like with the M1A1 AIM, the turret’s fine detail provides much of the kit’s appeal. Other features include clear plastic vision blocks, a loader’s hatch with PE detail and the crisply tooled oil pan. Both roof-mounted machine guns are slide-molded and have separate parts for small detail. Both MGs have PE ammunition brackets, which allow the Mg to be shown without the ammunition box, and the loader’s MG has a preformed metal bracket that is workable. The MG feed covers can be built open to reveal interior detail. For the main 120mm gun there is the option of an injection plastic barrel or a turned metal barrel tube. There is a hinged protective cover for the mantlet and bolt details on the underside of the plastic tube fine bolt detail. A gun breech is provided inside the turret..

The rear of the turret has a one-piece slide molded bustle rack rails with new plastic parts for the bustle rack extension, so there is plenty of space to stow whatever extras you wish to add. Photo-etched parts are provided the bustle rack’s mesh floor. Two jerry cans (choice of 20 litre fuel or water types each with embossed markings) are mounted off the bustle rack extension and have PE straps. Some of the other features include two types of wind sensors which can be built in either the active or stowed position, choice of smoke grenades, slide molded smoke discharger, grenade storage box can be made open or closed and a GPS-LOS device with transparent parts and a cover than can be opened to reveal its internal electronics.

HULL & ENGINE DECK

For the lower hull this release has new front fenders, new headlight guards, a new mine plow cable connector, new UAAPU exhaust and a new electric box that is a separate piece. As with the M1A1 AIM the lower hull is based around a one-piece tub, which has integrated sponsons, final drive and detail around the wheel stations. The suspension arms are separate parts with connectors that can be adjusted in small increments to allow the kit to be placed on uneven ground. The road wheels have detail on both sides and there is a choice of two types of outer ring for the drive sprockets, and an optional replacement plate for the mud scrapers. The tow bar is workable and detailed, while there is an optional flange for the exhaust.

Each side skirts panel is a separate piece that is molded to its own scale thickness. The weather strips on the top of each panel are made from PE and the mounting points are accurately depicted.

The skeleton for the upper hull is a large panel with plenty of fine detail including weld marks, fuel ports (with PE chains for the caps), hinges and anti-skid coating. The driver’s hatch is a separate multipart assembly, with clear plastic periscopes, interior detail, option of being assembled open, and the choice of hatch profiles. Like with the turret there is no interior detail for the crew seats etc. The new front fenders have separate small detail including PE and preformed parts for the conduit stays. The headlights have clear lenses and patterning on inside.

One real highlight of this Abram’s is the realism of the engine deck and hull rear. The panels surrounding the engine, including the air intakes are each separate parts allowing not only for accuracy, but also the ability to add an aftermarket engine block and depict a variety of maintenance and recovery dioramas. The slide-molded exhaust and air intake panels are separate parts with crisp castings. There are two types of hull intakes each with photo etch grills, which are raised for a realistic effect.

MARKINGS

Two new Cartograf decal sheets, one small and the other medium sized provide markings specific to the M1A2 SEPs on the instruction sheet. The other waterslide decal sheets have generic markings such as ‘Lift here’ and ammunition box stenciling.

The instruction sheet has four views of each of six Abrams, five of which are from Iraq and are painted sand yellow. These are “Hell Yeah!/Heavens No", 1st Cavalry Division, 2004; "Absolute Death", 4th Infantry Division, 2003; "Cowboys from Hell", 2nd Brigade Combat Team 1st Cavalry Division, 2004; "Armor Ghetto", 4th Infantry Division, 2003, and "Grey Wolf", 1st Cavalry Division, 2004. The sixth tank is from the 1st Battalion, 16th Cavalry, Armor School, Fort Knox, 2002 and is in a standard three colour camouflage scheme.

RECOMMENDATION

Dragon’s M1A2 SEP is a first rate kit which will make an impressive model of one of the US Armies newest versions of the Abrams. The kit benefits from Dragon’s advanced tooling and the inclusion of extra such as the metal barrel and photo etch ensuring that offers excellent value for money. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord