Altaya 1/72 Die-cast M1A1 HA Abrams 1991 Model Tank

Consider this 1/72 scale die-cast American third-generation main battle tank as a sub collection more for prop in photography in my upcoming desert related mecha. The Altaya "Armored Fighting Vehicles" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military vehicles. In fact, I had always like this tank, named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army chief of staff and commander of United States military forces in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972. Mine is a M1A1 HA Abrams 1991 model tank deployed during the Gulf War. 

The model tank came in an acrylic case with grey diorama base however I had removed the casing and unscrewed the tank from the base for those close-up photo shots. The 1/72 scale is roughly my palm size, fully painted with remarkable details. Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals. See those small markings in red, blue and blue, on the tank, even with sharp wordings 'USMC 572413'. 

The main body was made in die-cast, the turret was made in plastic and the track with rubber. Its made like a model so the track and road wheels had no moving mechanism. Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull. The turret could turn for perspective views and be entirely removed, reviewing the turret hole on the chassis as well as the interior. 

There's slight leverage to the 120-mm canon barrel. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface. Some of the other sculpts included the tank commander's machine gun, co-axial gun, the active protection anti-tank missiles, the tank lights. To add even more realisms to the already realistic die-cast, I had used Tamiya Weathering Master (B) brown brushing on the model.

About M1 Abrams tank:

Highly mobile, designed for modern armored ground warfare, the M1 is well armed and heavily armored. Notable features include the use of a powerful multifuel turbine engine, the adoption of sophisticated composite armor, and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety. Weighing nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service.General Dynamics delivered the first M1 Abrams to the U.S. Army in 1980. 

The Abrams is a full tracked, low profile land combat system possessing a high degree of armor protection, lethal firepower, maneuverability and agility. It is built primarily from sturdy rolled homogeneous armor steel plates, sandwiched around thicker protective material. Its four man crew is aided by an array of sensors that constantly monitor the tank's tilt, the turret's motion and any gusts of wind; a computer adjusts the gun accordingly to keep it aimed at its target. With this system, the M1 can take out other tanks while on the move.