I have a Tamiya M48-A3 that I am about to dust off and build starting this week. I am only now starting the research phase and was wondering if anyone knows of a good reference place. Specifically I plan to build it out as a cold warrior for the US Army in Europe. I am mainly looking for pictures showing the tank in the proper pain scheme and markings.
I mainly use Prime Portal and it’s a great spot for walk arounds, but in this case they don’t have anything close to what I want. Most of the other things I can find are pics of the vehicle in Vietnam. But like I said I am at the early phase. I don’t know whats units used M-48’s in Europe and for all I know A3’s may never even have been used in Europe and I would have to convert to a different version.
I am also considering buying a book from New Vanguard for M-47’s and M-48’s. Kinda cheap on amazon. Not sure if their stuff is any good or not.
Anyway, I appreciate any insight any of you might have on the subject. Now I’m off to scour the internet best I can for information.
I think I will get it then. Just needed someone to chime in and say it was worth it. I think it’s going for like $8.00 so I guess I can’t really go wrong.
You may also want to check out the Tankograd series of books. They have a lot of stuff for that era and area in the range of titles.
and some M48s in Germany photos from off the net for ya
From photos it looks like A1s and A2s were more common. And IIRC, the A3 was a later rebuilt version made from the earlier gasoline engined M48s, and not factory built…
It’s an A1. Spotting features are the five return rollers which were changed to three for the A3 and onwards, and the “Universal Ejector Fuel Kit”, that rack on the back with the four 55 gallon drums.
What makes it not an A nothing is the commanders cupola with the built in M2.
The one with the busted track is also an A1.
The first, second and fourth ones I think are A2’s because they look to have the later headlight clusters and sharp fender breaks, but I really don’t know these tanks that well and if someone said they were an A3 I couldn’t argue.
Oh I forgot, one other piece of good M48 information is the first five minutes of “G.I. Blues”.
It’s “free” on Xfinity.
Nice pictures, Carlos. I’ll bet when you cut yourself shaving, the blood runs green.
Well the prime difference between an A1 and A2 is the engine deck. The A2 has the same raised engine deck and rear grills as the A3. But the A3 being diesel powered also has the air cleaner housings on the fenders where the A1 & A2 have stowage boxes. Also the tow cables pre A3 were on the fenders. On the A3 and later they were moved to the back of the turret under the bustle rack.
None of those in the photos that I posted are A3s. I never noticed the fender differences until you called them out GM. Nice catch. We’ll make a LURP out of you yet
BTW, I hate shaving… I’ll be so glad in a few years when it will no longer be a job requirement.
