This is the M103A1 Heavy Tank from Dragon under the Black Label line.
I started with the turret. It is huge! The fit is good with great cast surface texture.
Next I moved on to the hull. You can see the size comparison between turret and the hull.
Next hull details and some return rollers. The rear hull is a multi part afair that requires some sanding.
Stay tuned for further updates
Terry
Very cool!!! I’m about to the same point with mine but I have no idea when I’ll get time to paint and finish her.
The wheels always get me bogged down, but I’ll keep plugging away a little everyday. Do you intend to do the army or marine version?
thats crazy,you cant see that from the box art,should make an interesting build
Terry, I haven’t decided yet- probably USMC since they apparently were the biggest user.
I sometimes get twitchy fingers and pull out something and build it while watching TV. Then all of this stuff ends up bottle-necking when it comes to airbrushing. I guess it has to do with being able to just pull out a kit and glue a few parts together anytime but with airbrushing I have to find the paint I need, mix it up, spray, and then clean everything- much more of a time investment.
Nope the box doesn’t give you any indication of the turret size, but it’s huge.
Terry
One thing about this tank it’s all green. The Marine Corp one will be good, but I think I will wait and see it Dragon comes out with the A2 and do the Corp version.
Had to look up this one. Learned something also. 2 loaders and separate ammo? Like heavy artillery. Cool. Keep us posted. Bob
That’s the story of my model building life; 90% completed builds waiting for the airbrush day. Problem is, normally nice airbrushing days get gobbled up doing other nice day activities like yard work, etc.
Yep good ol powder and shot. That’s why the turret is so big. I’m rolling now so more to come.
Terry
I’ve been on the fence about getting one of these, but I don’t know too much about the M103 to begin with. I remember seeing one of these at the Mechanized Museum aboard Camp Pendleton and it was very imposing, even alongside an M60. Each time I see one of these the first thing I think of is “The Elephant Man” and “Mask” (old Cher movie).
Yeah its got quite a turret.
Good to know I’m not the only one with this problem Rob.
Heavy tanks were developed by the US, UK and USSR as the logical successors to the heavy tanks of the later stages of WW2. Once armament and missile development progressed beyond armor development (main gun and missiles could kill any tank), the heavy tank just became a bigger, slower target.
A downsized version of the M103 became the M48 medium tank.
Since the Marines don’t have as big a budget as the Army, they can’t afford to not procure tanks they spent money to develop. Therefore they had to take them. The Army took the downsized M48 but knew it was to be a stopgap until the purpose-built medium tank, the M60, was in production. The Army did field a couple of heavy tank battalions.
Well…the M48 was produced first. Nearly 12,000 M48s were built from 1952 to 1959. In 1953-1954 a series of 300 M103 tanks were built. So the M103 is an off shoot of the M48. M103 used many of the parts of a M48, but was longer with seven road wheels instead of six. The M48 never replaced the M103 because the biggest gun mounted in the M48 was 105mm. The M103 was phased out of service with the introduction of the M60. The Marine Corp was by far the largest operator with 219 as opposed to the Army with 74. The only tank that could be said to replace the M103 would be the M1 Abrams, but the 120 mm gun on the Abrams is smooth bore instead of the rifled barrel on the M103. The M103 remained in service with the Marines until 1974. The M103 is a big mother, but it’s not the mother of the M48.
Terry
Hello!
I just ordered one of these! Just had to have it - there was a picture of that baby in a book that I used to learn to read when I was five years old! This probably also explains why I’m weird…
Anyhow I also read on Armorama about reported inaccuracies of this kit - a dude name Vodnik (his first name is also Paweł, just like mine) pointed many details that are wrong in his opinion. One thing, most visible to me, is that in the real tank the track goes down from the last return roller to the sprocket, whereas in the model the track goes level, in a straight line - like in the M48. Have to take a look at the kit, maybe that’s not too hard to correct.
The ARV variant of this thing - called M51 - that would be really something for me, as it served in Vietnam.
Anyhow, good luck with your project, and have a nice day
Paweł
I’m sure it has. Most models do, but on the table it looks like a M103. Good luck with yours.
Terry
Terry, I’m not much for post WWII armor, or even allied subjects at that, but after what I saw with your RSO, count me in for the ride! [B]
Keep the pictures coming . [Y]
That’s an impressive monster you’ve got in the works Terry. Looking forward to more on this one. [Y]
Me three.