non-tamyia M48s

there anything out there, or if dragon/trumpeter has plans for an early version M48? had a tamyia but i think it got tossed during a move. thought it looked too high to begin with

I would not hold my breath for either of those companies. I think AFV Club, Academy, Tamiya, and the old Monogram are the only 1/35 M48s out there.

Actually the Monogram version is 1/32. It was a decent kit from what I remember, of course it was the early 70’s. [:-^]

I have an original Monogram M-48, and it’s copyright is 1959. I don’t know the scale, it’s not on the box or in the instructions, just a little scale bar in 1 ft incriments. Compared to the Tamiya kit, it length and width are practically the same. Yeah, a bit more simplified than the Tamiya kit, but I think it would still build up well. But this kit of mine is only around for nostalgia. I think I built one around 1962. Darn I’m old.

Doug

yeha, i remember monogram’s M48, and i think it was 1:32. had one too. anyone know if AFV’s is still available somewhere, even tho i doubt it would be?

edit: as an alternative, did academy’s M48A5K have parts for an A1?

Monogram’s kit was 1/35 scale and can be dressed up nicely with bits from Tamiya’s kit. Monogram orignally released kits in 1/35 scale, but when 1/32 was gaining popularity they switched then re-labeled their 1/35 scale kits to 1/32 (just like Airfix does with their 1/76 kits).

No plastic M-48 kit has given parts to make an A1. Couple companies make a resin conversion for an A1 though, Legends for one.

The Tamiya M48A3 kit is too high because the example which they took the measurements from was a “display” tank which had the engine pack removed, making it ride high on its suspension.

Trivia note: Tamiya (Mokei) once made a 1/35th M48A2 back in the 60’s. The kit was rather simplistic, more akin to a motorised assemble-yourself toy, with actual one-piece black rubber loop tracks. It’s more a curiousity/collector’s item now.

wellp, thx. guess i’ll just have to hope something’s released eventually, like trump’s various T62s

One thing that Monogram did do right with their M48 was the supplied decales. Nothing generic about them like Tamiya and Dragon kinda do. There’s decales to build a couple really famous tanks from the 3/4 CAV. But not Birdwell’s.

gary

The Academy kit has -A5 parts in it that are OK, but it also has the Korean-pattern K1 tracks, which are narrower than M48 tracks, and matching drive sprockets. Also, compared to the Tamiya and Monogram M48s, it has a rather sharply profiled front hull. It builds up OK, I think, and has all the parts in it to build the -A3, less the tracks and sprockets, but the Tamiya items work fine, since it’s largely a knockoff of the Tamiya kit, with some notable exceptions, like the hull. Just for grins, here’s a pic of one I did earlier this year, from the Acad kit with Tamiya parts.

nicely done. what i’m lookin for is osomething that stood off against the sov at Checkpoint Charlie, some years back

The Monogram kit may be a good starting point

irrc, there was a lotta molded on bits to that one. gonna a pain tryin to find one, with no CC. maybe a LHS can locate one, and hopefully not 1:32

They’re frequently on e-bay for chump change. I got one for $5, and a couple to ship it.

On the Monogram kit, the molded on parts needing replacement most are the spare track shoes and the pioneer tools. Those are easy fixes. Any thing else is best handled in the conversion with sheet plastic and styrene or brass rod. You may want to get the AFV Club indy tracks also.

For the Checkpoint Charlie standoff, you’ll need a M48A1 to render the scene accurately. If you’re not into heavy scratchbuilding, you’re best bet is the Tamiya M48A3 with either the CMD or Legends conversion sets. The Monogram is an earlier M48A2 which has the later IR suppresion engine deck and rear end similiar to the A3. The A1 uses an entirely different deck and rear end and bears no resemblance to the later engine decks.

If you want to do something that resembles the scene, either the Tamiya or Mongram are fine.