I’m currently modeling a M60a1. I’ve decided to open the driver’s hatch to install a figure. I understand the hatch opens to right of the vehicle but I don’t understand how. Does the hatch open by 1.) Pushing up and sliding the hatch , 2.) Pushing up and rotating the hatch, or 3.) Is it hinged where the hatch is flipped open, like a door? I can’t tell by my reference pictures just how it opens. Any help would be great.
The hatch pushes up, then slides horizontally to the right side of the tank. Tamiya’s and Academy’s models have the parts included for a working hatch. There is bacically a “U” shaped braket that attaches to the underside of the hatch, on the far left, and rides on a horizontal bar to allow it to move horizontally. Hope that helps.
The drivers hatch is spring loaded to open. When you move the locking handle to the open position the hatch pops open. The front open higher than the back. You then grab the grab handle on the left underside of the hatch and if the proper PM was done the hatch will slide to the right on a unpainted steel shaft. The shaft has two groves or tracks that run the length of the shaft. When the hatch gets completely to the right it will lock into place. Thats a good thing otherwise when you are on a slope the hatch may try to close, damaging the drivers brain housing group. The underside of the hatch is white. There were two types of CVC helmets used on the US M60A1s. A large one used on the early M60A1s and a smaller version that is still used today. Make sure the helmets match the timeframe of the version you are building. Greg.
well the nice thing about the drivers compartment of a M60 is that if you can drive a bulldozer you can drive a tank. plus the drivers hatch on the M60 is similar to the drivers hatch on the M1.
Thanks MSgt (and Semper Fi). Now that I have my driver all ready to go, I need to check his helmet. Jeezzz [:)]. I’m modelling a M60a1 from 1983 Grenada invasion (one of the five).