Building the 1/35 Academy Models M1A2 Tusk 2 Abrams Tank

[@zacharynix2691]

Thanks alot Andy! Because of you I just spent 50 dollars on this kit and am building it now!!!!!

[@t.j.lemaster8653]

My cousin was a M-1 tank commander in Iraq so this Video hit a soft spot in my heart Awesome build my friend!

[@gaustadtpanzer3606]

WOW! That looks great! I see Academy has REALLY stepped up their game!!!

[@KY4BDP-TinyFangorn]

Looking forward to building this kit now that I purchased one from Andy and have watched this video a couple of times :-)

[@jmurph49]

I really enjoyed your video. liked that you narrated it from beginning to the end no classical music.

[@mark109s]

I just completed the academy Iraqi freedom model M1A2. , this model has a lot more details. Great job Andy.

[@秦仪-i7x]

This guy shows some really good basic technics.

[@stanleyharrell6009]

I just got this exact kit after watching this video. So far, the kit fits together extremely well with good tolerances. After a steady diet of WWII tanks, this thing is HUGE. Almost like I stepped up a scale to maybe 1/24. The lower hull alone could almost hold 2 Panzer IIs.

[@MrSotorich]

Thanks for all you do Andy, you re-kindled my love of making models!

[@MrBMBuilder]

Andy you don't muck around, great job and I love the look of this tank. Waiting for my hobby shop to get this one in

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

They are out now ,I think you will like it very much.

[@clivecro4971]

WOW what a kit I've just purchased it straight away after watching you finish up. Love your method Andy you really cut out all of the verbal and allow the kit to do all of the talking. 👍😎

[@DieselxRobot]

This looks much better than the old Academy Abrams that I've built. Looks like they greatly improved the engineering of the kit and the addition of clear parts was sorely needed.

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Yes very nice

[@Danegermouse1992]

I actually got the Tamiya kit version of this, and i must admit, yours has the lenses for the view ports premade, whereas the Tamiya requires you to cut them from a sheet of clear plastic, so yours seems a lot more friendly to make

[@maciejkaczor4574]

Lol i bought academy becouse was cheaper. Tamiya is a better kit ?

[@Everyweapon]

Andy I love what you do, and I love how informative your videos are. I plan on getting a new model from your store as soon as i finish the one I am working on!

[@markstewart7888]

Great build Andy and i got to admit i love the classic music too

[@ChristianSchroter]

Hello and@ahhq!you did a great job building that abrams without messing around.i love your content.thank you for sharing. With sticky greetings from good ol'germany. Christian

[@paulhennessy5627]

Strangely, I have yet to build an Abrams, but this has encouraged me to do it. LOVE those TUSK Tiles. I fancy trying then on a Leopard for a bit of "What If..." fun.

[@danielhillman4822]

That turret detail is literal insanity. Way to keep your cool building this, I know I wouldn't be able to

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

I really wasn't bad it fit well and that helps you keep sanity

[@m1a2abram32]

I love your videos, I built a Tamiya M1A1 Abram gulf War addition years ago but never came close to your detailed work. Im looking forward to building a Tamiya M1A2 Abram operation Iraqi freedom addition. Your videos are of great help thank you sir. 🙂

[@Emtbtoday]

I picked the Tamyia Abrams up yesterday only one I could find just now but didn't realise Tamyia have stopped the production of the Abrams Tusk 11 just now can't wait to get started on it the only old mould is the tub apparently from 85 or 87!. That's when I was born! Fairly old beast the Abrams then!

[@waltervanvooren994]

great modern tank bild Andy!!thanks for charing with the rest of the world!!Even Belgium watches😊

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

That great Thank you for watching

[@foabmoab]

Wow, it really looks like this kit almost falls together. It seems to have more detail than the Tamiya one too (bolts on the scallop armour and the anti-skid texture). Nice vid, Andy. Thanks for sharing :)

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

It is a very nice kit

[@EpsilonZer0]

Thanks for the video Andy, this really helped with my AFV M109 Paladin build! :)

[@jesserivas1779]

Very nice, had some great times in that beautiful beast!!!

[@_Matsimus_]

The TUSK II must be able to take one HELL of a beating! What a tank! Wonder what the next package will bring?

[@olafurmikaelsson4794]

Matsimus Gaming god you are here shit youtube is a small place not really but shit i didn't expect that

[@MidnightmoonRR]

Chally 1 and 2 can take a hell of a beating WITHOUT any armor package. ;)

[@tommyleesheils2061]

Mi-28 Havoc damn right! They can take even more of a beating when the new upgrade comes for them 😉😉

[@MidnightmoonRR]

A Mighty Otter ah yest the ATDU.

[@flamma6096]

Mi-28 Havoc it was penetrated in the frontal lower plate by an rpg so...

[@konradmacindoe9821]

Another amazing addition to the best KZbin channel tomorrow I will be building the m1 with Australian markings this video will help a great deal thank you for uploading

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@modeltankguy]

shez awesome Andy keep them coming

[@davidellerby391]

nice kit ... great quality video ... loved the pointers in the construction, gives me a heads up things to look for when it;s time to build my kit ... can't wait now! ... Keep the videos coming, very informative!

[@perrylamb6286]

Very nice build. Love both the subject and the outcome.

[@MsixtyA3]

Great build. Just ordered it. Thanks!!!

[@leonardocrotti5753]

beautiful 👍

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@vortexmodeling]

like even before I watch because I know this is a quality video : )

[@ethan5354]

same here. these videos have actually helped me with my model building.

[@konradmacindoe9821]

Me too

[@FineKits]

Who doesn't? lol

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you guys, I try to give you the best video I can.

[@freewill51]

I always like the videos before I watch it so I don't forget.

[@indyfist9466]

you never will see a coxial 50 anymore. looks so cool

[@hobbyrookiee]

this kit is huge 😮

[@DeronShank]

Very cool build Andy!!!! Super cool of Academy for providing you with samples of the kit to demonstrate for us. Win win for everyone. What would be even cooler was if Academy provided you with a discount code just for AHH supporters.

[@EMac06]

Great video!!

[@kimandersendk]

great vid and fantastisk kit, thx for sharing

[@paulschab8152]

I'm building mine right now. Almost done with it. The top of the turret had a molding error in it. They left a giant wavy hole in a section. I cut out a square piece of styrene to cover it up. Other than that, it looks great.

[@ZackBadCompany1234]

I just picked up this exact model. The kit looks very nice. This will be my first model that I will paint so hopefully I dont wreck it lol. But oh well I will learn a lot of what not to do I'm sure

[@robertruiz5417]

Amazing job

[@michaelmontgomery4748]

Love your video, may I suggest a head strap for your GoPro to help the camera blocking your view while working and recording?

[@mrbluesky2050]

ah a glue spill, we've all done that once, here's a tip. Use a large lid from something like a pickle jar, coffee jar or similar, something with a large flat base and diameter,, then using, we call it 'blu-tac' here is the U.K, stick a blob onto the upturned lid and press the poly bottle into it, makes it much more stable., works with paint thinners, decal set etc etc, just saves that costly accidental spillage. and costs nothing..

[@robertvoss6145]

this looks a good kit from academy, great build Andy . well done

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@serafernandez5522]

Great video and very good explanations of the products. It is a pleasure to see such an interesting channel and more for those who are fans of dioramas, I love your umboxing and reviews . I'll follow two weeks ago from Murcia, a city in the Mediterranean in southern Spain . Congratulations on your channel and lucky for me I found it. Greetings friend.

[@jamesmichel4611]

Hey Andy I recently got a model kit called the 88mm flak gun I thought i would suggest it for your train diorama, it was fun to put together but yet also kinda challenging. Keep up the good work!

[@jjab99]

Great video Andy and top job on the Abrams build and paint.

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you , I didn't want to overdo it on the weathering , I googled lots of pictures of tusks armored tanks and they were dusty but not very dirty .

[@jjab99]

Andy's Hobby Headquarters Andy, I think think that you did the right thing, it's so easy to just go mad with the weathering, but most of these tanks are in peacetime mode and are very well cared for and even on operations, they are looked after very well by the crews. great video as they always are, many thanks.

[@ivanparis1]

Very nice model kit

[@MidnightmoonRR]

The panels on the turret are essentially Infared/night vision Friend Foe markers, they glow in the dark or something. the British put them on the side skirts of the tank...a lot smarter in my opinion.

[@Aaron-fl3fx]

Nice video again Andy. :)

[@enricovenezia1160]

amazing model. Thanks so much. 🙂😃

[@Z3kyTw0]

Wow this kit is Phenomenal!! great Job Andy! keep em coming bro these videos are bad ass!!

[@davidhaynes5163]

Oh dear another kit I have just bought , see you build Andy and just go and buy them lol skint now , how do you cope with the heat whilst airbrushing ???

[@reconranger1370]

Hey thanks for sharing Andy, really nice job. Academy has engineered this model nicely. It deffinitely has some build advantages over the Tamiya M1A2. Thanks for sharing and for the building tips!! Joe

[@SUPERsneeky33]

I'm wondering around how many parts this kit contained? I purchased this one, as well as the Academy Humvee that Andy built a while back. For me, the more pieces= the more fun!

[@adamk4662]

Nice build. Thanks.

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@jtrace214]

what kind of turntable do you use? it looks really useful.

[@joshuasanders4515]

so thats why your cutting mat looks like that. my theory was that you spilled paint and used sandpaper to file it off so you cant see the paint. great video andy and can you please build the gepard from tamiya

[@joshuasanders4515]

ps did you buy add on parts if yes what did you use

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Hi Joshua , no I built it right out of the box

[@rossfromfriends8468]

Buying this kit for my next build!

[@ap7655]

Your video is helping me a lot with my build. I do have a question. I'm worried that if I put the smallest parts on initially. When I primer and paint them all the detail of the smallest pieces will be filled in by paint. I'm thinking about putting them on after I primer, that way they will have less paint on them. What do you do?

[@StalkeraBg]

Great building review and thanks :) Really want to buy this one, but i guess it will be my next after Trumpeters Challenger 2 caged. 24$ for the Challenger to up to 46$ for this one. Kind of an extremely tight budget so its one per 2 months or so as i still will need paints and an air brush for all of em Or ill wait for the usual 25% discounts store offers

[@jeditanker72]

Awesome build, you do great work. I hate to be that guy, but I think the .50 cals are backwards. The one slaved to the main gun doesn't have hand grips. On the a2 and up the commanders .50 does. I am a tanker. Great work though, I'm trying to make my own.

[@wood3134]

Very nice model . I'm actually interested in the kit :-)!!

[@pinfarmer]

Nice kit. Hanks for the vids. I've only ever built forge world tanks

[@bluedonut7814]

Luxurious model you out

[@MattStunts-]

Nice video, and good looking model. I have a question for you, I noticed, that you don't use any primer. When you weathering your model did paint not come off from plastic?

[@garryg69]

Nice build

[@christophermathews5714]

I'm a 1/35 scale guy myself, but I would really love to see you get into a 1/16 kit with interior, I hear the Trumpeter kits are the best for interiors at that scale. I would love to see you get your hands on a Panzer IV in 1/16 scale.

[@ompatel2625]

Does the track and wheels and turret move and roll

[@bigsparky65]

excellent video Andy, i have the same kit in my stash to build.

[@arvinlienardi884]

i have made the exactly same kit, it is really nice and quite cheap

[@modestforest]

As usual verry nice build and video, Andy. Do you know when this kit wil be available on the market ?

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

thank you its available now

[@SirRathalos]

Love modern armour it always looks so much more clean, and sophisticated xP, I was thinking of getting the Trumpeter Challenger 2 to start a bit of modern AFVs. Also want to say, I love the Google plus group, really great Idea!!! Keep up the good work! Thanks

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@mikebreazeale2563]

Nice! I can't wait to start mine. Looks like a great kit. Thanks!...

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

thank you for watching

[@royyyhehe207]

nice tank bro it looks badass

[@SBla-yo4jh]

What kind of granulation do you have on your sanding foam?

[@ArmourEmpire]

enjoyed that... thanks. I built the old academy kit and the Tamiya tusk. I've got the meng to build ,but having seen your vid I'm sort of thinking I should have saved a few quid and got this one :)

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Yes the Academy is very nice and over here 20 -30 dollars less

[@weaponeer]

Question. I noticed in several videos that you paint the browning M2HB as being black. I'm a disabled Army veteran with 18 years Army service with most of it as an Armorer in a direct support unit, and all the M2HB's I have ever stored or worked on had a light- to medium-gray Zinc Phosphate Parkerized Finish. (medium- to dark-gray to black finish is produced using a Manganese phosphate. which has a large crystalline surface (the Military does not like it because it's not nearly as durable as the Zink, and worst of all it hides dirt and they want everything to be visible for inspection lol. I had yearly inspections of my unit's weapons and I got written up for an M16 not having an oiled receiver. what's the big deal? M16's have aluminum receivers that don't require oil. I got written up on it because it's the only thing they could find to complain about. lol) I have done both Zinc Phosphate and Manganese phosphate finishes, and while I do like the look of the Manganese phosphate, but the Gray Zinc Phosphate is the correct finish. even my WWII Browning M1919A4 and M1919A6 have the same finish. (love your detailing) I have not built a model in nearly 30 years. the last model I built was during operation desert shield/desert storm. all the units left for home in Feb, and our unit stayed around until July 91, so we actually had a little time on our hands for one model (and I left it there). if I had the funds (disabled and can't work) I would be building models once again for a little enjoyment. I can't, so I watch other people build them lol. Note: I'm not criticizing your build or color choice, but wondering why? do the instructions point this out. (I used to actually send in corrections to Army Weapons Technical Manuals lol. funniest correction - the Army produced a new M3/M3A1 submachine gun technical manual. they got it right on the cover, but everyplace else it was Submarine Gun roflol

[@tommylakasi3022]

how long is the model? is this a good beginner kit? cuase i dont want like a huge model. the product dimensions in amazon says 35 cm, and i think thats pretty big. im looking for a display model or somethiung to put on my shelf, nto a rc. would this be a better beginner or the m51? i might also get t-34 or m41

[@WarDaddy66]

I miss my tank

[@doom18381]

Hello Andy first clean work where ever there looks very good, but my question is why do not make any soldiers or tank crew to it. Would the whole even more spice up. Greetings from Germany =)

[@midnightmodeling1639]

Well done, looks amazing.

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

What colour besides XF-57 did you use to shade the basic camo colour? Thanks...you did not say I believe.

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

I used xf59 as well

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

Thanks Andy...appreciate the whole method of painting. I like your presentation. And no annoying German...

[@brandoncunningham8403]

Andy,Do you use straight XF-59 or do you mix it with another color???

[@Bax1ify]

Top job 😆👍

[@witchitahable]

Hi Andy, Have you got any tips for what to do when the cocpit of a plane is a decal? I'm building the tiny 1/350th seiran plans for my tamiya i-400 and the cockpit is a piece of plastic, which you slide a decal over. No matter what I do I cant get the front and back of the decal down. So should I slide it in place with the front down (and back raised up), wait for it to dry then microsol it a few times so that hte back softens and sits down?

[@Denis-bo8ms]

Looks awesome. I served on M1A1 back in the day, way before they added all this armor. Looks strange to me

[@Quadrant14]

Denis..how do you think I feel, I crewed a Centurion 5 and Leopard 1A4 in the Aussie Army ..how do you think I feel , seeing Leopard 2 monsters and now Aussie Abrams , a wee bit jealous ...but hey it is 2017 going on 2018

[@alessiodecarolis]

Well, this is various steps ahead of the old Tamiya M1 (105 mm) I build in the early 80's !

[@jesusblanco906]

Andy,which is the best kit :Tamiya or Academy?

[@kevinyang5926]

THis academy kit is better, the T-158 LL tracks are shaped correctly, has PE, has transparent glass parts, glass parts masking, several variants and a solid hull

[@Yuraichu]

Great job!

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@xixdelta]

Great Video Andy! Looks like Academy really did a nice job on the production of this kit. Excellent build, paint, and finish as always. Congratulations on Academy approaching you to do build reviews, can't wait to see future videos. Keep up the Great work!

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@josiereyarrabis2819]

Is there a website where i can download the manual of this kit? Got mine from a friend but got no manual 😔

[@leesp2]

thats beautiful :)

[@fedexfer1]

i love that m1a2. don't you think you can build the pl 01?

[@dmactye3]

Is this a model a beginner could pick up and easily do?

[@CraigBaumer]

How did you paint the road wheel tires? especially the ones closest to the hull?

[@pauljohnson9675]

+Andy's Hobby Headquarters I have a question about this kit. I'm looking to get one of these kits, but i don''t know if I should get the Academy version or the Tamiya version. Do you have a recommendation between the two? And the academy Tusk Abrams a good kit and fit well, or does it have some fitting issues?

[@marisitaconde6398]

Paul Johnson same delimma mate wish you could give your insight :))

[@infosec1812]

Its funny to me to watch how easy he connects the tow bars on to the front slope. I have a flashback to the struggle it took three men to put them on in real life. USMC 1812

[@patrykkucia2555]

Hello what Abrams tusk2 is beter tamiya or academy ?

[@freddiebenson_]

Good video Andy

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Thank you

[@Wongton_soup121]

when you did the tracks, did you leave them as is and then immediately started weathering or did you paint it before? if so, what color?

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

I did paint them nato black first

[@Wongton_soup121]

Andy's Hobby Headquarters Thanks for the quick response!

[@rparmstrong4730]

So if I was to do just the regular M1 I would need to fill those holes on the skirts.