Metal Earth M1 Abrams Tank Review

Military models are a popular corner of the hobby, and the Metal Earth M1 Abrams Tank is one of the most recognizable. It packs a lot of detail — turret, tracks, and hull — into a single-sheet, Intermediate build.

A lot of detail, small footprint

The Abrams is designed to capture the chunky silhouette of the real tank at a compact size. The tracks and turret involve some small, fiddly parts, but the published time estimate suggests an intermediate builder can finish in a few hours.

The hull sides and glacis plate are largely flat folds that should establish the boxy M1 profile early in the build. The running gear and track sections are likely where the build slows down — not because they are especially difficult, but because the track links are small and similar-looking, so it pays to keep them sorted and work methodically from front to rear.

Practical tips for the tracks

The track sections are the part most builders find fiddly on any tank kit. A few techniques that help:

• Pre-curve each track section around a pen barrel before attaching it; the correct arc is much easier to establish before the tab is twisted
• Use narrow-tip needle-nose pliers rather than wider jaws on the track tabs — you have much better control in the tight space between road wheels
• Work one side at a time and check that side is lying flat before starting the other; it is easy to introduce a twist that becomes obvious only when you try to display the model

The build

Plan on roughly one and a half to three hours. As a single-sheet bare-steel kit it is forgiving — there are no color edges to scuff — though the running gear rewards a careful hand. The turret assembly should be straightforward, with the main gun barrel likely the trickiest single part: it needs to be rolled into a narrow cylinder, so use the same pen-barrel trick described above.

Mistakes to avoid

• Do not twist the hull tabs too tightly before you are satisfied with the hull shape; bare steel is unforgiving once a crease appears in a flat panel
• Check the turret sits level before fully committing the rotation tabs — a slightly tilted turret is noticeable on display
• Small details such as the rear exhaust grilles are likely to be fragile; bend them gently and do not try to flatten them if they develop a slight bow

Comparing it to other vehicle kits

The M1 Abrams is simpler and more forgiving than the Kawasaki Ninja, which has color edges to protect and a more complex wheel sub-assembly. Both are Intermediate kits, but the bare steel and straightforward hull geometry make the Abrams the easier of the two. For a completely different vehicle experience with a working mechanism, the Time For Machine car is in a different league — but also a different price point.

Display tips

The tank looks best displayed at a slight three-quarter angle, which shows both the turret orientation and the track profile. A small piece of textured dark card underneath gives it some visual context without being overdone. The bare steel catches side-lighting well, picking out the hull details and the etched track texture nicely.

Who it is for

• Military and history enthusiasts
• Builders past their first beginner kit
• Anyone wanting an affordable, recognizable model

The verdict

The M1 Abrams is a fun, affordable military kit that looks great on a desk. The track and turret detail is impressive at the price point, and the single-sheet bare-steel construction keeps the build approachable for anyone past the beginner stage. For more vehicles, see the vehicles category — including the mechanical Time For Machine car.