The M1A is the main battle tank of the US Army. It is easily the most powerfull tank in the world today. Its main weapon is a 120mm smooth bore cannon. It can travel at speeds in excess of 50mph over most any terrain and still fire its gun and hit the target. The M1A first saw action in Desert Storm in 1991. This particular model represents a tank from the 3rd Armor Division as during the Gulf War. Although 3rd Armor was deactivated after the Gulf War it has not been officially de-commisioned.The Tamiya kit is a very nice build. I chose the build the version with the mine plow because it looks so much more interesting than a plain M1A tank. I would like to display it with crew members in the hatched but my skills at figure painting are sorely lacking. So, for now, it remains "buttoned up". The model is painted with MM Enamels and given a burnt sienna wash to highlight.
