RFM | 5106 | M1A1 Abrams Ukraine/Poland 2in1 LIMITED EDITION | 1:35

This kit includes:

• Clear and photo-etched parts included
• The hatches can be shown open
• Segment tracks
• ERA bricks included
• 2 marking options, one for the Polish armed forces and one for the Ukrainian armed forces

History

The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare, it is one of the heaviest tanks in service at nearly 73.6 short tons (66.8 metric tons). It introduced several modern technologies to United States armored forces, including a multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite armor, a computer fire control system, separate ammunition storage in a blowout compartment, and NBC protection for crew safety. Initial models of the M1 were armed with a 105 mm M68 gun, while later variants feature a license-produced Rheinmetall 120 mm L/44 designated M256.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

In September 2023 Ukraine began receiving these tanks, which were former U.S. Marine Corps tanks. The tanks supplied were also older (having entered service in 1986), "export" versions with classified US armor removed before the tanks were sent to Ukraine. This was to prevent or reduce any exploitation of technology found on any Abrams captured by Russian forces. The first pictures of the M1A1 in Ukrainian usage appeared online in November 2023, showing a M1A1 near Kupiansk.

In February 2024, an M1A1 was reported as lost in Ukraine. The blowout panels on the ammo bins had been activated, indicating that the ammunition had cooked off. This M1A1 was destroyed by a FPV Piranha 10 quadcopter.

As of May 2024, Ukraine had lost 8 of the 31 Abrams tanks. One Ukrainian Abrams tank was captured by Russia and displayed as a war trophy in Moscow in May 2024. In April 2024, Pentagon officials reported that Ukraine's Abrams had been withdrawn from front-line service. The Russian use of hunter killer drones have made it "too difficult" to operate the tanks in the current battlefield with "muddy ground hindering manoeuvrability". A Ukrainian company has unveiled a new set of "Anti-drone steel screens", which weighs "430 kg [approximately 948 pounds]". Designed to protect the tank, while not hindering its function, the screens also use Soviet era Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour. The screens protect the turrets top, rear, sides and other vulnerable sections. It leaves opening for smoke grenade launchers, the commander's hatch and other parts of the tank. Some 7 sets of armour have been produced, according to the company, for the Ukrainian Abrams.