M1A1 Main Battle Tank ( MBT ) is one of the world's advanced modern tank designs. Developed by General Dynamics Land Systems in 1970s, production began in 1985. Its sophistication includes integrated electronics, cross-country mobility, firepower, and high-tech armor protection. General Dynamics Land Systems - www.gdls.com

Conceived for battle against against Communist Warsaw Pact forces in central Europe, but combat debuted in Iraq during 1991 Gulf War. M1s were also deployed for UN/NATO peacekeeping duties in civil war-torn Yugoslavia late-1990s. Warsaw Pact - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_pact

Inset : M1A1 on its framed diorama stand. Display base is color illustration of all major Coalition and Iraqi armored divisions during 100-hour Persian Gulf War. Inset Rollover : US 1st Armored Division part of Coalition western pincer to cut Iraqi retreat at Kuwait City-Basra highway. 1st Armored Division "Old Ironsides" - www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1ad.htm

Rollover : Model is 1.35th TAMIYA kit, armor plough accessory from 1.35th DML kit. Extra equipment draped over rear bin and storage racks. Tank interiors are usually cramped with equipment, seldom enough room for any personal storage, hence items must be stowed outside. M1A1 / M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank - www.army-technology.com/projects/abrams/index.html

Model painted in TAMIYA Beige color to mimic sun-baked desert conditions of Arabian Gulf. TESTOR Black paint wash applied to crevices, dry-brushed with TESTOR Light Grey for surface highlights.

M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, 1982-92 ( ISBN: 1855322838 )