Hi all. I am pondering building an M26 as my next armor subject and wanted to know if anyone has built the Tamiya kit. Which detail sets would you suggest? Are detail sets really needed on this kit? Are there aftermarket decals for the Pershing?
Haven’t built one myself, but the rumor is it fits like a glove. Almost got one myself. I heard it far superior to the Dragon kit. You’ll pay for it though. Sorry can’t help on the detail kits, but my guess is the usual supects make something.
I have the Dragon one. It looks like a nice kit but the indy tracks have me a little scared.
From what I understand about the 2 kits the Tamiya one is a WW2 version while the Dragon is a Korean War version.
You can’t go wrong with Tamiya though.
the dragon tracks, once you get into a rythem and a style of putting them together-such as chop off a row of them, clean them up, then glue, stick on a new one, glue over and over-the half tracks are easier…
Yes AFVClub makes Indy track for the M26/46, Eduard makes PE, and you can get an aluminum barrel. There are also decal sets available. Greg.
I have the instructions to the tamiya kit. A friend gave me the instructions for some reason. I have no use for them, but the model looks really cool. working suspension and all. ill mail it too you if you live in the U.S.
The Tamiya model is a great kit. No issues with fit or acuuarcy at all. It builds up nice OOB without any need for extra detail sets. Here is how mine turned out:
I highly recommend it. I actually have anotherthat I plan on making into an M45 105mm howitzer support tank. The Tamiya kit can be built as either a WWII US Army tank, or a USMC Korean war tank.
Note that the infantry phone box is incorrect for a WW2 era tank in the ETO. Get a set of TigerModel Designs equipment bin hatches. Aftermarket tracks (WW2productions and Fruil) exist too. Make sure you smooth in the area around the shell ejection port on the right side of the turret. You can soup up the commander’s cupola and other periscopes with TMD parts, too.
Thanks for the advice guys. I have two of the Tamiya kits. One I plan on buildin as WWII version and the other maybe as the Super pershing. i mainly wanted to know what other modelers thaught of the kit as I have not looked at it that close. I will definely get a metal barrel.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Tamiya kit. Personally, I opted for the Dragon offering. Price was the factor for me really.
ive done the Dragon T26 the ww2 version i liked the Dragon kit and have 2 Tamiya M26 the tamiya ones look very good
This is the first kit with indy links I have done.Believe me there is nothing to worry about.The fit was excellant and it was actually a pleasure to build.
Good to know. I havn’t done indy links before. I just need to stop putting them off and just give it a go.
I’m currently building the T-26E3 version of the Dragon kit. It needs some corrective work around the turret, with the drive sprocket and at the rear of the hull, but the Tamiya kit isn’t 100 % there either. The biggest construction problem is the butted joint where the engine deck meets the section of upper hull just behind the turret ring. It tends to crack every time it gets flexed. Since I wasn’t detailing the interior I opted to put a little structural pillar inside the hull underneath the engine deck made from A & B Epoxy putty. Once the putty cured there was no more flexing. I will try to get some in progress shots into this thread this weekend as I’ve done a lot of reshaping and detail work to bring the kit up to speed compared to references and a pile of photos I took out at the APG Museum a few years ago. I have those photos posted on my club’s website at http://www.ipmssyracuse.org/pershing1.html If you’re a Pershing fan (like me), you may enjoy looking at these photos. I’m doing a Pusan Perimeter M-26 (September 1950 USMC at the Naktong River) with the early pinned metal track by Fruilmodel. I’ll let you know how the assembly of that goes. Will post again soon. [swg] Chuck
P.S. On the marking thing, while I don’t think they have anything specifically for the Pershing, Archer has some really nice dry transfers of USMC markings, both solid and stenciled, that will work great for a Korean War era Pershing. You can get to Archer on the web through the vendor section of www.scalemodelindex.com
I am just about finished with the Tamiya kit and like Heavyarty said, it fits together better than any other kit I have ever assembled. I am building mine OOB for a GB in another forum.
Here’s a preview shot, please excuse the ugly yellow background. It has been painted since then and awaits detail painting and decals:
Oh geez, I think I’m going blind [:D]