M48 Patton FINISHED! Page 16

Modeling Subjects Armor
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Hi guys,

Remember me?!? [&] Yeah, it’s been a busy year, for sure, and I haven’t had much time at the bench. Been traveling a lot, got engaged to Jenn, and I’m back out the door to Spain on Tuesday–but I managed to find some time to sit down and start a new WIP. I thought I’d throw you all for a bit of a loop by doing something in Olive Drab! lol!

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the Tamiya M48 Patton. The Monogram “Patton tank” was actually the first tank I ever built, so this one has a bit of nostalgia for me. I got some goodies to dress it up, and hope I still have what it takes to make a decent model these days!

Here’s what I got;

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/faf36c8e.jpg)

The tracks are pretty much a necessity; the Legend kit there has a nice mantlet and accurate jerry cans and stowage; I’m going to put a dozer blade on it (unless someone tells me that it’s not accurate for some reason–but I do have quite a few photos with it) and of course, I have some Verlinden figures to go in the hatches.

The first thing I did was to drill out the lightening holes in the sprockets. It’s a tricky thing to get these even, but I’m happy with the results–thank God for Dremel tools, lol.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/1.jpg)

So now comes that suspension mod, because the model is based on one that had no engine in it, so it sits high. (Thanks to HeavyArty for providing the nice list of corrections and mods that are recommended!)

The way I did this was to glue ONLY the mounts for the suspension arms to the hull; the actual arms to which the wheels attach were left UN-glued. I decided that the easiest way to lower the suspension was to saw the little shock posts there–as I saw through them, the wheels fall away, as they aren’t glued. They will be cleaned up and then glued at once, so that I can then position them all at the same height together.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/2.jpg)

And when they were all snipped and cleaned up, I put the wheels on and glued to posts to the ends of the shocks now. I’m not sure if this was the best, or most accurate way to do this, but in my modeling book, it says “If it looks right, it’s fine”. [whstl]…[;)] It DID lower the sit of the beast…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/3.jpg)

Next, you have to fill in the motorization holes;

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/4.jpg)

…and the weird open area above the rear idlers, and there are also little slots by the front sprocket…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/5.jpg)

Next, you have to shim the turret to increase the turret height. Here’s how I did it. First, with my MicroMark mini-chisels, I scrape away the line-up moldings inside the turret floor…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/6.jpg)

And then I trace the outline from a piece of plastic that is just shy of 1.5 mm thick–no, I don’t know exactly the dimensions; this was a piece of scrap. I literally cut it out with these gnarly scissors.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/7.jpg)

And then sandwhiched another thinner piece of reddish styrene in order to bring it up to 1.5 mm. I clamped these and let them sit.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/8.jpg)

I needed to put some Squadron putty to smooth out the joint, which was eventually sanded and polished to shape.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/9.jpg)

The “Tweaks list” says that the kit is known for the fender supports being overscale and rec’s replacing them with either PE or scratched ones–I just spent some time thinning the kit parts with a good ol’ #11 and some emery boards. I think they look fine.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/10.jpg)

Another fix–roughening up the casting. Using my Most Valuable Modeling Tool–the Dremel–I bounce and swirtl a metal-gouging tip around.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/11.jpg)

Then coat it with some Testor’s Liquid glue…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/12.jpg)

And this is what I got.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/13.jpg)

And the hull…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/14.jpg)

I dunno if I screwed this up, or if this is how the kit joins in front? Either way, it’s not doog-worthy. The real tank had a sharp hull front, but not THAT sharp with the overhanging lip, lol.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/15.jpg)

I put a .060 rod in that gap, and then sealed it in with White Putty. After it had dried a good 8 hours or so, I filed it into shape with a combination of sanding sticks, sandpaper, and my Dremel with a grinding stone head.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/16.jpg)

I threw a quick coat of paint on it to see how it’ll look. Not bad; I’ll take it…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/17.jpg)

To mount the gun, you have to cut here on the kit part to mate it to the LEGEND mantlet.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/18.jpg)

The loader’s hatch–MOST un-doog-worthy–and not even accurate. You can see the part “opened” on the left, I decided to just make a new one. IN the middle the hatch is shown "closed; I cut out a blank from .040 plastic, and then checked the fit…

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/19.jpg)

Using my ol’ Dremel, I hollowed out some of the recesses in the hatch—you can see the real one there from a Verlinden M60-M48 update with PE that I remembered I had. I only am using a very few pieces from this. (The fender stays were inaccurate for an M48, by the way). I also put a .020 x .020 strip around the edges to simulate the sealing rim.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/21.jpg)

Add the PE periscope cover-thing, and a latch, and the rest was made from strip. The springs on the back were made by wrapping a piece of wire around a needle. The handle’s a piece of wire.

!(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/heydoog/M48 Patton/22.jpg)

And that’s where I am so far. Like I said, I’m outta here for another three weeks or so on Tuesday, so I wanted to get this up before I leave.

ONE THING!!-– anyone who sees anything inaccurate, or any of you older guys who were in the 'Nam, PLEASE do not hesitate AT ALL to send your ideas, comments, and critiques my way. You guys who know me know that I SINCERELY appreciate critique and criticism–you guys made me the modeler I am, and I"m not going to start thinking I’m too good to learn. SO don’t hold back because of the regrettable episode here just recently–LET’S HAVE IT! [:D]

It’s good to be back! [^][B]

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Its good to see you back Doog. Looks like your off to a good start. Can’t wait to see somemore progress on this beast.[t$t]

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Doog, first thing, [snWcm] back! I am by no means an expert on armor…or anything for that matter [:D] But I am a fan of your work and I look forward to seeing the Patton take shape. Your skills in scratchbuilding and weathering are astounding. Your Patton is looking great so far…for what its worth.

Have a safe trip.

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doog,

First CONGRATULATIONS on the engagement.[t$t]

Remember this phrase, “yes dear, I was wrong and I am very sorry”.

Since you are in the Majors when it comes to your builds I sit back and read, look and take more notes.

divertirse in Spain!

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Great start - I will be following along with this one!

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Hey Karl, good to see a WIP from you. I think this is the same thing your building…

Photobucket

They have this and a Sherman parked outside a base just south of where I live in Calhoun. Didnt snap alot of pics of this one but got plenty of the Sherman[Y]

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Congrats on the engagement.

Good to see another armour build coming from you again.

8

Looks amazing!!!

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Haha, I also built that Monogram Patton tank long ago. Looking good so-far. I’m watching this one.

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Great job so far fixing up the Tamiya kit! Unfortunately you can’t use the Academy dozer blade on the M-48. It is the M-9 used on the M-60 series tanks, not the M-8 used on the M-48 series. Looking forward to seeing more progress that you have made on this.

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THANKS, GUYS! It’s good to be back at the bench and on the forums!! [:D] I appreciate all the comments, and the congrats on my engagement! Thank you to all for taking the time to leave a comment!

Eric, (Jester)–thanks for that photo! If you scare any more up, send 'em along if you have the time!

Ah HA! THAT’S the kinda comment I especially love–one that makes the way a bit clearer. Well, that’s what I suspected–and it’s funnt, because I originally bought it for an M60 model. I guess it’ll have to go back into the AM parts box! Thanks for sharing this pertinent knowledge!! [:)]

I dunno if I"ll get much more done before I leave, but I’ll be working…if not, watch this spot sometime in late September! [ap]

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Hey Karl,

Good to see you building again buddy. [:)]

I like the M48, I think it was the second kit I ever built when I started doing 1/35 scale stuff way back when (in fact, when that kit was a new release). It will be good to see your take on it.

PS: I believe the tank in Eric’s pic is an M60 (easy enough to confuse the two from certain angles). I’m looking at the return rollers (3 vs 5), location of the bore evacuator on the barrel (which appears to be a 105mm M68, though these were fitted to some M48’s as well), the length and shape (squared off) of the turret bustle and the angle of the turret sides (more vertical on the '60).

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Nice job as usual Karl! I particularly like how you created the casting effects with the Dremel, and liquid cement. That’s a nice alternative to using Mr. Surfacer, and one I’ll try on my next job that needs that effect. Looking forward to seeing more.

Nate

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Phil is correct, Eric’s photo is of an M60A3TTS tank (a 1980s US Army tank) and not an M48A3 (a Vietnam era tank). There’s about a dozen differences even from this angle to include the mounting points for the smoke grenade launcher and stowage boxes, thermal shrouded gun tube, curved tail light housing (M48 had squared ones), curved rear fenders (M48 had angular ones), late style tracks, late style air cleaners, and the most obvious difference, the oblong turret of the M60A1/A3 series.

Doog, FYI sprocket lightening holes only occur on the outer half of the sprocket carrier, not on the inner half.

Note: My apologies if anyone is insulted by these observations. I will delete this post if anyone takes issues with any of my observations. I am in no way critiquing any model on this forum and am only posting photographic reference material that I personally took in order to make my own models more accurate. It is not my intention to impose my own personal preferences on any other modeler on this forum.

My apologies in advance if the above paragraph insults any reader.

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Phil, thanks for the correction; you know, I thought that that tank looked maybe a little “off” but didn’t quite recognize it. I know there are a lot of photos of M482AC’s out there, and I thought maybe it was a variamt–thanks for the info!

Nate–yeah, the Dremel ROCKS! lol!

Ha ha! Rob, you’re cracking me up! lol!

ARGH! I was afraid of that too! I couldn’t see it in the pics I have, and should have waited or asked advice here. Well, that’s what you do when you’re eager and short on time–you screw up! lol!

Luckily, I have my Milliput fine white available, and I’ll get to patching up those inner sprockets later today! Should be a relatively easy fix…

I hope the “lurkers” are learning the value of honest, fearless criticism in this thread…[;)]

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Hey Karl,

Congratulations on the engagement buddy!

I love what you have done with the Dremel and casting effect. I’m a big fan of my Dremel and this tactic is perfect!

Looking forward to more!

ATVB

Ben [H]

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Another eclectic build from doog, cool…I love seeing old kits given this kind of attention…Always thought this tank never got its “due”…a really “classic” look IMO…[Y][Y]…

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Sorry doog, had my treads mixed hehe.Thanks for the info on the pic Phil and Rob, now I know what kinda tank it is! There is no doubt the other is a Sherman just not sure of the particular variant though…

Photobucket

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Great to see you back at the bench building armor Karl! [Y] [Y] Definitely looks doog-worthy in terms of the work and detail you’re putting in so far! [B]

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Dang, Karl it’s so good to see you building again, and not only that,you are building some not-WWII stuff, and also my favourite time period - NAM! I like it and I’ll be watching.

And now - watch the sprocket again. In the photo by rob you can also see the difference between later style sprockets (as in Tamiya kit) and the type most commonly seen in Vietnam, where the face of the sprocket is flat, only with screw openings in it, without the recessed ring, like in Tamiya kit. I hope it helps and I also hope I made myself clear here. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Pawel