I bought 2. One for me and one for my best friend knowing it was the old kit. I didn’t care. Got them as a form of support for Ukraine. 🇺🇦 want to make a diarama with it and a knocked out T72. 🇨🇦

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I just made this video so people would know what it does and doesn't comes with. I am petty let down that Tamiya did it like this - but if you're going to enjoy the build that's what matters! Have fun!

For about $14 USD you can buy an aftermarket decal sheet that has a bunch of Ukraine markings on it to do an Abrams, Bradley, or whatever vehicle you want. Enough markings to do many vehicles currently being used in the Ukraine. This is just Tamiya reboxing one of their older kits and throwing in a small decal sheet. I wouldn't call it a ripoff, as they (and most other model manufacturers that have been around a while) have done this before (heck Airfix 1/35 kits are just reboxed Academy kits). So those of us who have been in the hobby for many years kind of expect releases like this to be reboxed older kits and not new releases. I guess its up to the modeler to ask around if they aren't sure. If a person already has the older Tamiya M1A1 kit or another M1A1 kit and they want to do a Ukraine Abrams I'd suggest the aftermarket decal sheet rather then buying this kit. Having said that, I'm a huge Tamiya fan. I enjoy the simplicity of their kits and they fall together without a hassle. Even their old stuff from the 1970's is still great builds. I'm long over having to build every model jammed with every bit of aftermarket possible on it and some of the newer kits, as awesome as they are, frustrate me with tedious assemblies. Good luck with the build. Its an older kit with warts but still a fun and quick build.

It is what it is; Tamiya just trying to make a fast buck on a decal addition. Good video I like it.

Yes, I agree. I was referring to the tracks only. I was not trying to point anything else out. Please keep building kits.

Its interesting learning about the difference between the A1 and A2 Abrams. It sounds like they are different tanks more than an evolution. Curious if the Ukrainian Abram's will be regunned seeing as though they have more soviet ammo and guns. Cant wait to see more videos!

False advertising plain and simple. they were betting on the fact that most modelers would not notice.

I don't know why everyone is jumping on you, you're a guy with valid opinions, i bought the kit my self im going to build it anyways as a ukraine color theme , i think over time as ukraine shows us there true abrams and there color themes for there tanks, we just have to go off on fantasy builds thats how i get by the high price of the kit

Only got 1 M1 & it's from Academy. It's the '03 Iraqi Freedom Marine version. U got the "Yukon Jack" repop.

Yeah, it's basically the kit I built in 1992 except mine has the mine plow. I believe the A1s sent to Ukraine are AIMs that have been renovated but I could be incorrect here, so in that case the Dragon AIM is probably the best kit to use, although there are others. As well I think some AIMs will be delivered repaint in European Green, which is sort of a medium green

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I know some guys in Germany where Ukraine has been training (I know I said UK in the vide by mistake), and they definitely spotted the Blue Force Tracker antenna next to the main sight and the SCWS at the Commander's position. We do know that at the refurb facility they had to replace the DU armor with Tungsten per export rules. Originally the package was 31 M1A2s, but that got changed to A1 models due to the export technology issues. It's been confirmed that they are getting SA models now from old National Guard turn ins. I've seen one picture of a Ukrainian crew on an A1 without the SCWS, so that could be one consistent with the initial AIM upgrade, because it had the BFT antenna. It's going to be interesting to see what finally rolls into the field.

@horridlm

3 ай бұрын

Why is the Dragon kit better aside being labeled differently? What are the visible differences a casual observer would notice? Not a detail spotter like you and others but an average builder. This video and most of the comments fail to explain *why* you are so angry.

I built the original Tamiya Abrams when it was released in the 80's. I bought this same kit, and like you, I got a deal on it. I build more aircraft and figures than tanks, but I actually like this kit. If my intent was to add a modern, highly detailed kit, I would have gone a different route. I have also bought their Leopard 2A6 with Ukraine markings. I like the special markings and know that Tamiya kits are well engineered, so I will end up with nice looking tanks. I can understand your perspective, but the kit meets my desire to add an Abrams used in Ukraine to my collection and I did not break the bank buying it.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I totally respect your view. if that's what you're into, it's great. The Tamiya Abrams kit practically falls together itself. My whole intent was to let people know before hand what they were, and weren't getting with this kit so they could make the right choice.

@scottbuildsthemall5124

4 ай бұрын

@@AirForceBuilder Thanks for the response! Just FYI, I do have the RFM Abrams with a full interior in my stash as well. Sometimes it is nice to have the higher end, more modern kits as well.

Its a model kit. Big deal.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I can't argue with anything you said. It is in fact a model kit.

Any suggestions on the aftermarket parts you mentioned?

@AirForceBuilder

27 күн бұрын

Do you mean what to get or where to get them?

@ryanthepunkpony2229

26 күн бұрын

@@AirForceBuilder yeah just what parts you were referencing, I've already ordered a decal sheet so I'm good for that cheers

cash crab, reminds me of the same stunt that Dragon pulls.

@horridlm

3 ай бұрын

Obviously you gave no idea what it takes to run a business.

@Tony196180

3 ай бұрын

you would be wrong, and that is your opinion, and my statement is mine, I have been in purchasing for a large company for over 30 years, so get your facts right before commenting on a personal level@@horridlm

@horridlm

3 ай бұрын

@@Tony196180 well, it is not personal any more than it is personal to suggest the company is deliberately ripping people off. If you have such extensive awareness of business you would appreciate that older molds already paid for allow the company to make money and stay afloat. There is nothing the package or marketing of this kit to warrant the opinion offered and as I gave noted elsewhere there is nothing to support the argument it is a rip-off or lazy packaging. What there *is* obvious to to anyone familiar with business is an attempt to offer a good kit at a decent price that will profitably allow the company to develop new kits. You may not like my comment but I stand by it that you have shown no evidence you understand the full context of the situation.

I dont really understand what you are angry about. All of the crap you stated as inaccuracies were actually just CHANGES from a vanilla M1A1. You can add whatever you want to make it look more like what Ukraine is fielding. Aside from that, its still a nice kit from a wonderful and brilliant company. I think you just have that 2024 everything in the box for $100.00 mentality. Some modeler who just wants a nice looking Abrams with Ukrainian decals is gonna love this kit. Take a few breaths there boss.

Cheap move from Tamiya, expected rather from Italeri or Revell. We know which version has been sent to Ukraine, if company brands kit with specific theatre you expect accuracy, that it will be M1A1 FEP version. Instead you get quick rebox of old vanilla M1A1, no extra sprues with modification, just the decals - 1% effort done, "Ukraine" label added, cash rolling.

it called jumping on the band waggon...tamiya needs to make money...so let's put some new decals in a box, put a picture of a Ukrainian tank on the box cover, and voilà...kerching...😮😊

It's missing the era Ukraine is putting on. Get the rye field model version. Much better and more accurate and with era.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

Yeah, the RFM is just a better kit for so many reasons. Pictures released so far don't show any ERA on Ukraine's Abrams. The Abrams has proven it can shrug off anything that the 2A46 can fire. They may add ERA in the field (though it's really a depot level operation), but it's doubtful for only one reason; it's embarrassing to the US. Allowing Ukraine to add ERA to the M1A1 SA would be in effect saying it can't stand up to the armament it was made - and said - to stand up against. It will be interesting to see if pictures of their Abrams battalion shows ERA or any other upgrades once they get them in the field.

@easel2502

3 ай бұрын

@@AirForceBuilder the m1a1 that was detroyed just recently they probably will. Although it isn't the us m1a2 san do armour etc etc. So Russia can't claim much there. But this might make Ukraine add era to it.

The devils in the decal😂

That is a M1E1 Abrams because the tracks are T156 tracks.

@AirForceBuilder

13 күн бұрын

I like where you're going with that idea, but the M1E1 had the concentric sized weighted panels to represent the additional weight the the A1 armor increase would bring, a different shaped bustle rack, and it lacked the future mounting point for the CITV because the M1E1 was built from an M1 taken off the production line.

I think it's just a matter of opinion

MOOO!!! Milkin' it!

Why did you buy it if you knew it was a poor kit in the first place?

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

Please pay better attention to the video next time. I said - clearly - I bought the kit quickly because I was offered a great deal on it, and then got to look into it later where I found what was really in the box.

@richbrown886

4 ай бұрын

@@AirForceBuilder Buyer beware! Do your homework and manage your expectations. Put it down to experience, and maybe you'll be a little wiser. Just don't think it was worth the rant, but to be honest I stopped watching after a little while. Anyway, enjoy your hobby. That is what it is all about.

The rfm model of this and Poland m1 has era and is 10 time better than the tamiya one and on eBay it 45 buck plus 3 dollars shipping. Direct from China. Seriously don't buy the tamiya. Also the rfm is a much newer mold.

Why did you buy it then? Lol

@AirForceBuilder

13 күн бұрын

How would I know what's in the box until I bought it and opened it?!?

Unless you want to get into the age old arguments about the accuracy of the kit in rendering an A1 Abrams, this is really just a waste of time. You do not explain the major visual differences between this A1 and the sub variants like SA, which make this a totally wrong kit. Most builders will be happy with this kit. Others - like you - can do more by adding scratch and aftermarket parts. Your whining video serves no purposes, unless you feel better in which case, maybe your blood pressure has dropped a bit now.

Hmmmmm, not sure what you were expecting. It’s an M1A1 - no surprises.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I' guessing you didn't actually pay attention to video? I was expecting what the box advertises: Ukraine's M1A1, which is a specific variant, the M1A1 SA - Not the 30 year old vanilla M1A1 kit and some fictional decals.

Relax it's just a model kit. Such a rivet counter. Building is fun to build, your review is terrible. I have one and it's a good kit.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I get that you don't like the review. No harm in that. But was I wrong? Does it build an M1A1 SA? Does it build the tank that is in Ukrainian service? or is it just a 30 year old kit - wrong to build the subject - with new decals?

Hello! Yes - good old Tamiya once again could not resist the opportunity to sell old firewood in a new box, and even at the price of a model from MENG. Yes - the model is greatly simplified, and besides, there is no TUSK kit (this is exactly what your government supplies to Ukraine). In my opinion, if you need a model (and not a toy) of Abrams, you shouldn’t take this kit (although in general you can spend a lot more money on additions and a lot of time on alterations). By the way, we must not forget the characteristic welding designations “UKR...”. In general, if you really are going to trim the Abrams for Ukraine, it’s better to watch all the nuances on the video (if you can’t come in person) about the tank, which is now in Moscow on Poklonnaya Gora at an exhibition of trophies.

My guy, settle down. This kit is fine, if a builder is a rivet counter like you appear to be, then they will either get aftermarket parts, scratch build or get a different kit. This seems to me to be a kit for people who don't care about the finer details, they just want to add a Ukrainian decaled A1 to their shelf. That's ok. Tamiya is just responding to the demand that is out there for Ukrainian/Russian tanks. I, in fact, just bought a Russian t-72 and some figures to make a diorama of Ukrainian infantry jack in the boxing the T-72. Let people have their fun. No need to assume your perspective is the right perspective on a creative hobby.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I think you're confusing rivet counting with expecting basic accuracy in a kit. If you watch my channel you'll find I'm far from a rivet counter. I don't fault people who want a high degree of realistic accuracy in their builds either. But If I buy a kit for example that has an brand new marking scheme for an F-16 in service today, and the kit in the box is an F-16A or a YF-16 that was phased out of service over a decade ago, that's a basic problem with building the wrong vehicle, not rivet counting. This kit was not really correct 30 years ago, and just throwing new decals in the box doesn't make it a Ukrainian Abrams. You don't care - and for you this kit is a steal!. But there are a ton of builders who DO want to buy a kit that at least build the right vehicle. It doesn't have to be perfect, but at lest not glaringly wrong. I made this video so people would know what it does and doesn't comes with. I'm happy for folks who are happy with the kit. But I know that quite a few in the FB groups I'm in and who I know are a little let down that all this box is, is a new set of decals. Anyway, enjoy your build, and hope that T-72 comes out great too!

@ampere11

4 ай бұрын

@@AirForceBuilder The kit is "basically accurate," though. It's an M1A1 tank, and Ukraine is getting a version of the tank. It's not the "wrong vehicle." It's the wrong variant of a variant of a upgraded and, refurbished A1 tank. If they labeled the tank M1A1 SA Abrams Ukraine, then I would agree with you that they were intentionally misleading people and ripping them off. I admit, this is the first video that I've seen on your channel, but you do sound like a rivet counter when it comes to tanks. If you really just wanted to warn people about this kit, your video could have been two minutes long saying, "just a heads up everyone, this kit is just the old A1 kit with new decals. I won't be accurate to the specific variant that Ukraine is receiving." Instead, you went on a whole diatribe about how Tamiya is either ripping people off or incompetent/lazy. Never acknowledging that it would be incredibly expensive for them to retool an entire model for minor changes or create completely new tooling for minor changes in variants. I am just saying that you shouldn't assume malicious intent and realize that people want different things out of the kits they buy. Anyway, I will check out your videos and hope you make a video on how you can scratch build or update this kit to make it accurate. Because, I would watch the heck out of that video! Respectfully, a fellow modeler!

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

Why would Tamiya need to retool the entire kit? They didn't do that for their M1A2 release. They added a sprue with the correct parts to build the variant. The Tamiya M1A2 is exactly all the parts from the old M1A1, with new tracks, and specific pieces for the A2. Not a retooled, new kit. So Tamiya knows when and where it's appropriate to add pieces. My follow up question is this: Why would Tamiya release a Ukrainian M1A1 kit, if it isn't the tank that Ukraine is using? If RFM knew that there is a difference between the vanilla M1A1 and the Abrams that Ukraine is fielding, why doesn't Tamiya? Tamiya is a high end model company at the forefront of the industry. So while we disagree her, I have to think Tamiya intentionally pulled a fast one - hoping most people aren't educated enough to know better - and reboxed a lot of old kits with what is basically a fictional decal sheet, dressing it up as Ukraine's M1A1... that they aren't using. Why would people be looking for that product? A model kit of a tank, in markings of a country that isn't using that tank? again, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss and bounce the ideas back and forth. I'm actually going to do a follow up to this vid because in a million years it never occurred to me that so many people would be so put off or offended by it.

@ampere11

4 ай бұрын

@@AirForceBuilder They would have to retool the kit OR make new tooling, is what I said. They would have to update the current sprues with your changes, or they would have to create an entire new sprue for the details. Both of those are expensive and slow. To answer your question: Tamiya does know that they are releasing an inaccurate kit. RFM is also releasing an inaccurate kit. It's a question of how inaccurate a model can you live with and what cost, as a consumer. This is an A1 and it's close enough for most people to not care that is' not exactly the correct version of A1 in Ukraine. Or they will enjoy up detailing the kit (another reason why Tamiya probably didn't bother retooling it) with aftermarket parts and decals. I look forward to watching your follow up video. :)

@ronaldthornton8370

4 ай бұрын

yes, thats exactly the point Im making up above. you can get the nonskid, but its gonna cost extra. you can get a little extra widget that no one other than a rivet counter is gonna notice, but it's gonna cost extra. its a fine kit FOR THE PRICE POINT.

Крым наш!

The hands waving constantly in the video are very distracting. Just a thought for future videos.

Much ado about nothing.

"RFM is soooo much better because it has all the gadgets" . It's also costs twice as much . LMAO, man.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

You'll spend twice as much as the RFM in aftermarket to get what the RFM comes with in the box.

@ronaldthornton8370

4 ай бұрын

@AirForceBuilder not really the point. Do you expect a $25 kit to come with PE and resin add ons? Nm some of those add ons haven't been seen in the field? The review is dishonest in that regard.

@ronaldthornton8370

4 ай бұрын

It's a good kit for the price point, Is it perfect? No Name a kit that is tho I'll wait

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

You're confusing "perfect" with "the right model comes in the box". If I buy a kit that should build into a P-51D, but the kit is a reboxed P-51A, we have a problem. It has nothing to do with questioning if the P-51D kit is perfect. It's questioning if a P-51 comes out of the box. A kit marked "M1A1 Ukraine" doesn't need to be a perfect molding of the model Ukraine is using. But it should be a molding of the M1A1 that is in service with Ukraine. Not a generic Abrams missing anything distinguishing it from any modern version of the tank. by the way plenty of retailers are charging, and getting upwards of $50 for this kit. I don't disagree with that it should be sold for less than $25.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I never expected it to come with any resin, and I never said that. It's dishonest to imply that I said in any way the kit should come with PE or resin. I said, and still do that it shouldn't be just a reboxed kit from 30 years ago. The RFM does come with some PE, but is a regular injection molded plastic kit. Tamiya's same 30 year old M1A1 with mine plow kit sells for over $40. All that has in an extra addition of some plastic parts for the plow. Could Tamiya not have done the same thing, wit one extra sprue of plastic parts to add to the original M1A1 kit to modernize it, rather than the plow pieces? Tamiya's first M1A2 kit is a hair under $50 and it includes 2 complete plastic updated sprues of nearly 100 new parts to modernize the original M1A1 kit. No PE or resin required. All at a price under $50. If Tamiya wanted to provide a, accurate kit instead of a fast rebox, they easily could For a modest price. I really think you're looking for reasons to criticize the video here.

Don't think it's worth getting that worked up over....go outside and touch grass.

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

Wow...your go-to insult is still go touch grass? Good one. No really, my 9 year old used to say that too.

Sounds like you pushed it out of proportion for the sake of doing a video, I mean, you see exactly what you get on the box art.. Plus, you admitted it was cheap. It's not like they tried to give the impression that it has any new tooling. I'm getting a drama queen vibe from this one..

@AirForceBuilder

4 ай бұрын

I said I got a great deal. It runs about $35 - 40 retail. I can't tell you how to feel about anything or what to think of the video. But honestly, I'm disappointed in Tamiya on this one. Compare what they did, just reboxing their 1992 basic M1A1 to what RFM put out - New sprues with specific parts and details to build the actual Abrams that Ukraine will be using. It's like if the took a 1990 F-16A kit, and just put in new decals of a current day unit and called it a Block 50 F-16CM. I think Tamiya really went for a quick profit over a quality kit. However I do respect your opinion and I appreciate you taking the time to voice it.

@realitycheck908

4 ай бұрын

Where on the box it says its 20 years old tool ?

@melvinjohnson2074

2 ай бұрын

@@realitycheck908 The box side panel will probably say 2023 but its a repop of their M1A1 from 1992. You can see the timeline on scalemates. Hope that helps.