Here’s my first post on this site (or any site for that matter) of a build I have started. My inspiration for this project was some old photos I took back in the mid 80’s of an armor unit that was part of the infantry Bde I was in at the time. The turret for this build is a resin kit from Chesapeake Model Designs. The hull I’m going to use is an Italeri M60A1
Please forgive the oversized pictures I’m still trying to work my way around the whole photobucket process. I don’t have too much experience with resin but I was impressed with how well/easy it has gone so far. You have to build the storage rack on the back of the turret with round and flat stock but the kit does come with a nice template that locates the frames for the rack (make sure you don’t put the rear turret lift ring on before you set the rails or you’ll have to “customize” the template as I did)
The rest of the rack is built from round and flat stock and goes together quite easy.
I’m a little further along on the turret at this point and have started the hull but don’t have pictures yet. I plan to do a MERDEC paint scheme to match the original photo. To be 100% true to the picture I’m going to need to figure out how to get/make some customized decals but that bridge is a ways off right now.
Thanks for looking, any comments or insight are welcome
Panzer_Blitz thanks for the words of encouragement. I should have more photos up tonight or during the weekend at the latest.
Rob I agree, I’ve never seen a thread here with one built up. I did see the conversation refering to the CMD turret conversion kit and also saw a few threads that steered me away from the AEF designs product. Usually when you do a image search on the net you’ll get a mix of actual vehicles and scale models, not so however when you search M60A0. Off hand do you know of any threads here or at other sites that show one done or in progress?
One thing to remember about building the A0 is that the original turrets had the lifting rings in the same place as the M48, i.e. one over the mantlet and one on each side of the rear of the turret. Later, the turrets were produced with the lifting rings in the same position as the A1/A3 turret, i.e. one on each side of the mantlet and a third centered on the rear of the turret roof.
I know I will eventually build something that is not from WWII and German. I think this has a good chance at being the 1st. There are 2 of them parked close to me and they look cool. I iwll be following this one. Good start.
Rob thanks for the links, I had the toadman one but not the other one. I also noticed from my reference pictures the differences with the lift rings on the turret from one tank to another. My motor pool pictures from 1987 show a mixture of ring configurations within the group of tanks parked there. I also noticed some differences around what I think is the ventilator behind the loaders hatch (I’ll ask a ? about that in a minute.
Wing Nut thanks for watching, I hope I can inspire you to try this one too. Be warned though I’m not a speed demon with this hobby as it fits in around a million other things I do. I’m sure now that I know someones watching I’ll pick up the pace…a bit.
here’s how it sits right now
Here’s my question about what I call the “ventilator”. In some of my reference pictures there are no brackets/mounts around the ventilator. Other pictures show the 2 brackets that appear to create the 3 mounting points even/above the ventilator cover. None of my reference pictures show the third bracket that came with the resin kit that fits into the slot cut out of the turret below the ventilator. The third bracket is loose on the side of the turret near the slot in the picture. I’m inclined to fill in the slot and pitch the third bracket as i have no pictures that show it mounted. Would that be a bad idea? Also what was mounted there?
Heres a shot that shows off the mantelet cover. With the exception of the 3 search light studs this is how it came with the kit, I’m impressed with the detail.
The last shot here is a scan of the 20+ year old print that inspired the build. The picture was taken in the summer of 1987 at a tank motor pool at Ft Devens Ma. The tanks name is “POLISH HAMMER” you can just make it out on the gun tube. The MERDEC scheme seems to be winter US/Europe. I plan on using the AFV 35010 workable tracks for the build.
Thats all for now, busy weekend and week ahead so it may be a bit before I can post more. As always comments and insight are welcome.
I missed your reply a few days ago. Right now I can’t see your photos, most image hosting sites are blocked at work. I will look at the item in question tonight from home, if I remember to do so. Getting old and have a case of CRS.
Welcome to the forum i still concider myself a newbe .I like the build so far[tup]
Be warned this lot dont miss mistakes and i used to fint it a bit elitest but that is because 95% of the modellers on this forum are of the highest standard you can get.I have become a much better modeller not from books or magazines but from this site. I am learning all the time and ive learnt heaps from my mistakes, its the best way. Im not saying your build is not up to it , on the contury it looks spot on so far. Im just saying if you want to learn a lot youve come to the right place. THEY R A FRIENDLY BUNCH ON HERE [#welcome][tup][;)]
Many thanks to all for the kind welcome and encouragement. I think this is one of the fastest builds for me in years because of the intersest you’ve all shown. I’ve been on the site asking a question or two every so often, but until now have not gotten too involved.
I Have got the hull and turret about ready for paint, more pictures in a day or so. The MERDC will be a challenge for me, I chickened out a year or so ago on an M60A2 I did and went with strait OD green. The desire to try and stay true to the picture I stumbled upon is what is behind going with the MERDC. I’m thinking I’ll try at least one or possibly both of the main colors with the airbrush but the two minor colors will be hand painted for sure. Right now I’m leaning towards MM enamels, but I know I’ll have a few more questions before paint & weathering. Building is my strong suit (if I have one), weathering and paint are a big weakness.
Rob, thanks for the info on the search light stowage position. Since I couldn’t find any reference pictures that showed the third bracket provided with the kit I assumed that it was rarely, if ever found in fielded examples of the tank. The slot has been filled and the bracket set aside.
I wouldn’t assume that it was rare. The M60A0 had a very long post-Regular Army service life with many Reserve and National Guard armor units still using the tank even after Desert Storm. Many modifications were done at the State level at MATES or ECS sites.
The A0 just wasn’t photographed as much due to it being replaced rather quickly by M60A1/A3 and even M48A5 tanks.
The hull is filled & sanded. The turret is about done too. Should have some paint on it by the end of this weekend, (plan to wash it tonight and let it air dry for a day or so).
I’m very happy with how the turret resin kit worked out. I’ve really never done much with resin until now and I was suprised how easy it was to work with. Most of the parts from the Italeri kit turret fit right into place on the resin turret, only the grab rails had to be modified to fit (right side more so than the left). The storage rack was intimidating at first, coming in the kit as a set of brackets and strips of styrene, but in the end was quite simple.
The only problem/mistake so far has been the tow cable hooks around the sides and back of turret. I should have waited to attach them after paint. I have already broken two finishing the turret off. Good thing CMD included several extra hooks in the kit
All the parts in the foreground of hull will be hand painted and installed after the hull is airbrushed
Thats all for now, I hope all goes well with the paint. This is the part where it starts to get a bit dicey for me, [:O]we’ll see how it turns out.
Again thank you to everyone who has viewed and especially those who have posted back with encouragement and help. [tup]
Hi, Gary I been loking in on your build from time to time. I just wanted to say that with all your care and attention it looks like its going to be a winner. Good luck with the rest of your project.
Its coming along great. The resin turret looks good.
I have one question though. You say…
Why do you not install the headlights and their guards and the handles for the BII boxes before painting? I always do and have never had a problem. Just curious why you would do it that way.
Top - Sorry I took so long but first welcome. It’s always good to have another brother here on the forum.
Rob seems to be feeding good stuff and he is the “real” armor guy here. As a redleg…always interested but don’t have all the detials on an M60 like Rob would. (If you get to an M110…then we will talk)
What I do have for info is the picture you posted from Ft Devens. That tank was from the 187 Sep Brigade, D 5 Cav unit. Spent a bunch of time with that Bde. If you are using it for reference, that will give you the other fender marking.
