My latest project is a continuation of the Dragon M48A1 Review I did a short time ago. I am converting the base kit into an M48A1 from the 40th AR BDE (Berlin BDE) as seen in the Berlin Crisis of 1961. I am building F-25 “War Eagle”, as seen below.
A little history: One of the most notable actions that the M48A1 was involved in was the Berlin Crisis of 1961 when a standoff occurred between US and Soviet forces at Checkpoint Charlie after the USSR demanded that all allied forces withdraw from West Berlin. On Oct 27 and 28 of 1961, US M48A1 tanks and Soviet T54 tanks were a mere 100 meters apart and loaded with live ammo as a challenge to who could cross the border. After a peaceful resolution to the standoff, the partitioning of Berlin was solidified with the erection of the Berlin Wall.
The major changes are the addition of a Crouse-Hinds search light on a specific mount only seen in the 40th BDE and a hard rifle case on the right side of the turret.
So far, I have added the light and mount. I built the mount from 3/32" styrene tubing and some bolt heads. The Crouse-Hinds search light is a resin set from Tank Worshop. I still need to make a cover for the light.
I have also started on the hard rifle case. It is made out of a couple layers of laminated 0.040 sheet styrene. I still need to add the flap that opens to access the rifle. I also cut out a section of the railing along the right side of the turret as well.
Thanks Gamera - The rifle was for the TC (Tank Commander). Sometimes you need the precision of a rifle over a spray and pray MG inside a cupola that is hard to aim, limits your line of sight, and can’t really be maneuvered quickly. A rifle can be quickly shouldered, aimed and fired before the MG in the cupola can be spun around to find the target through a soda straw sight. This is the same reason many later M48A3 TC’s in Vietnam removed the internal .50 cal and mounted a free .50 cal onto the outside of the TC’s cupola on a pintle mount so it could be brought to bear quickly when needed.
It’s good to see you building again! I believe this one will fit your finishing style perfectly - I have heard the Berlin Brigade kept their stuff very clean. Some time ago I helped my friend restore a 51’ M-38 Jeep, and we have also painted it in Berlin Command markings. Good luck with your build and have a nice day
Thanks Pawel. Yup, this one will be very clean and in semi-gloss dark green. The Berlin BDE vehicles were on display to the Soviets as much as a show of force. They were kept pristine.
Here’s a photo you may already have, an interesting study of tanker uniforms. Kind of a rummage sale.
So, a question. Maybe you will address this in your review. I have that kit too, but haven’t started it. There seem to be several options in the box mostly concerning the running gear. Have you sorted those out? Is it A nothing versus A1?
Thanks Bill, good pic. As to the suspension, I am not following. There is only one way to do the suspension in the kit. The M48 and M48A1 had an extra tensioner wheel right in front of the sprocket on both sides (see image below). This is accurately represented in the kit.
The main visual difference from the A1 to the “A0” is cupola/TC hatch. The original 48 had a hatch similar to the Urdan cupola later fitted to some M48A5s and on Magachs in IDF service.
The M48 also had a smaller driver’s hatch, along with the “Urdan-like” low-profile TC’s cupola, as linked above. There are no M48 parts in the box. There are a bunch of parts that I think would allow you to build an M48A2 or possibly an M48A3 though. You end up with a bunch of left-overs when done.
You use a few parts off of sprue D and J, but most of those parts are for A2 and/or A3 builds. The extra roadwheel arms are just that, extra. The same C sprues are used in their M103 kits, which were built on elongated M48 chassis with an extra roadwheel per side, hence, 2 extra roadwheel arms. You end up with quite a few extra suspension parts from the M103 kits, which also has more shocks, return rollers, and other suspension parts.
