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Armor/AFV: Modern Armor
Modern armor in general.
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M60 A3 Late 80's
Eagle01
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Essone, France
Joined: January 11, 2006
KitMaker: 56 posts
Armorama: 43 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 12:41 PM UTC
Hi,



I got this model a few weeks ago from a friend. To honor his gift, I decided to build it from the box and place it on a dio.

Revell is a good base. But there is a lot of work of trimming edges, to file all parts, ...

But let's see what it looks like after a few hours on it ...

Assembling Shop :












Painting Shop :

Here are the first drops of paint for the camo ...





now the hard work is going to start : give life to this tank !

So next steps :
=> filters
=> washes
=> dusting
=> split fuel

Hope you enjoy ...

Eagle
TankSGT
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 05:56 PM UTC
Its coming along nicely, please keep us posted. I crewed and commanded M60A1s and M60A3s if you need any advice.

Tom
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
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Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 06:14 PM UTC
WOW ... that camo pattern is really nice! What paint was used?


Jeff
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 07:34 PM UTC
Looks good, I learned to tank on the old M60A3TTS. A few areas that could be improved beyond the basic kit are the three oval mud holes in the outer sprocket hub, most of the tanks had a 2x4 board or length of chain stretched between the two headlight guards so you could climb on and off the tank much easier.

It also looks like you are missing the crosswind sensor (looks like a short, thick antenna). The box art shows it directly above the #3 on the tactical marking.
barron
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Virginia, United States
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 598 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 07:48 PM UTC
Looking Good . The first tank I was on was the M60A1 Rise passive. The drivers night vision sights were infared. I thought I was in heaven when we got the M60A3s and the drivers night vision sight was passive. This was on awsume tank.
Removed by original poster on 09/10/06 - 23:39:58 (GMT).
Eagle01
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Essone, France
Joined: January 11, 2006
KitMaker: 56 posts
Armorama: 43 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 09:48 PM UTC
Hi,

Thanks for all your positive comments
I'm glad to see that many of you are concerned by this tank, having served with it.

So to all of you, I would be interessed by your knowledge of this tank. And maybe could you share some pictures of your M60A3 and espacially the weathering part (chip paint / rust / dust / detail stuff / ...)
That would be very helpful.

For heavy files, here's my email : [email protected]


To Robin,


Quoted Text

It also looks like you are missing the crosswind sensor (looks like a short, thick antenna). The box art shows it directly above the #3 on the tactical marking.


It's there ... Look at the 4th picture in the Assembling Shop ... You see it ?

Coming soon ... next steps of painting

Eagle
armorjunior
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California, United States
Joined: August 03, 2006
KitMaker: 263 posts
Armorama: 237 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 10:08 PM UTC
is that a abrams in the background?
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 11:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text

is that a abrams in the background?

Yes, the M60A3TTS served along side the M1, M1IP and M1A1 for about 10 years. The kit box art shows an OPFOR M60A3 (bad guy training vehicle) as used in the Army's training center at Hohenfels, Germany (Combat Maneuver Training Center). They went head-to-head with Abrams tanks all the time. The box art represents a tank used after 1990.
Razor635
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Alabama, United States
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 45 posts
Armorama: 46 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 08:27 AM UTC
They not only went heat to head with the M1s but kicked thier butt more often than not. If a unit actually won a battle then they would call out an additional company and then stompt them. Of course the OPFOR knew every nook and cranny in the box.
Eagle01
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Essone, France
Joined: January 11, 2006
KitMaker: 56 posts
Armorama: 43 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 06:48 PM UTC
Hi,

Here's the new work done on the model .... after :
> filters
> washes
> oil painting
> dust stuff ...











Tracks on :

The wheels and the tracks will receive dust when the dio will be build.








Coming Soon :
> the figurines
> the dio

Hope you enjoy ...

Eagle
TankSGT
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 12:12 AM UTC
Eric just a few comments, about your tank that I noticed. The weathering is a bit heavy on the turret. M60s get really muddy below the fenders but topside is fairly clean except for crew tracked dirt and dust depending on your place in the column, Number 4 has much more dust then number 1. Dust was a much bigger problem state side then in Germany. Most traveling on US posts is on tank trails which have been ground down since WW2. In Germany we drove on roads or cross country not a lot of dust. I was in Graf in January so I saw lots of snow no dust. Like the oil stains on the back deck that happened a lot especially where you would put down the can. We used 30 weight oil in the engine 10 in the trans. Engine oil dip stick right front trans left rear.

The mantle cover usually wasn't painted it was vinyl and paint didn't stick well. They also ripped now and then and needed to be replaced. Smoke grenade launchers had canvas covers which are an accountable item( you lose it you buy it.) so they were always covered unless loaded. Jerry cans were not painted with the tank they were a separate item and sometimes touched up for inspections OD would be a good color for metal ones. Did you 50 cal barrel break or will you be adding the blank adapter since the flash suppressor is missing on the M85. It wasn't a bad MG and very accurate from the cupola.

Keep up the good work.

Tom

Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 03:43 AM UTC

Quoted Text

That might explain you lack of knowledge when it comes to the infamous dust of Graf and Hohenfelts. Anyone who's been there in the summer can tell you it gets so bad you end up wearing your gasmask. The tanks, troops, and anything else end up completely covered in dust after just a few minutes on the tank trails. I've seen it dusty there in the winter also.



I've got to agree here. Summer time on the Graf tank trails produces talcom powder-like dust. The trees on the side of the trails are caked in a light gray dust that looks like snow. A surreal winter scene in the middle of summer.
TankSGT
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 07:36 AM UTC
the thing is tank trail dust is nearly white from pulverized gravel and stone not brown. I was involved in the AOAP stateside and we had a lot more dust problems stateside then in Germany but I was in Fulda and we only went south for gunnery. The model has brown dust does Hohenfels have light colored dust or brown? I was the 23 tank for my stint as an E6 so I ate a lot of dust just not in Germany. It was usually white though. Very reminiscent of the scene from "the Good the Bad and the Ugly" when the cavalry turn out to be Union troops instead of Rebs. I was in Graf Jan. 1979

Tom
TankSGT
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
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Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 07:44 AM UTC
Gary very nice M60A1. I saw the Cav patch what tank company is it? I was in 1/11th A troop cobilleted with Delta the tank company.

Tom
Sabre5Delta
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Arizona, United States
Joined: August 07, 2003
KitMaker: 37 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 07:57 AM UTC
Is this a relatively new release? In any event, you've done a terrific job and most helpful is the progression through the steps of assembly.

I was a Cav Scout assigned to 2/3 ACR in the mid to late 80s. We had these and M113s for the scouts. The squadron was short of tank crews during gunnery....so, scouts became tankers. I was originally slated to load, but because of my somewhat short stature, I ended up driving when the original temporary scout driver whined because he was too tall for the driver's compartment.

Good to know this kit is there and it clearly looks like it builds into a nice example. Also nice to hear the old "tanker talk" going on.

Do you guys remember "Rough and smooth, in the groove"? It had something to do with the M60 replenisher, but I'll be darned if I can remember what it was.....I got moved to the driver's compartment before I had time to get comfortable in the loader's seat! But as driver, I did get to help do an oil change on one of these bad dudes....not fun.

Again, a very nice job with useful illustrations. Thank you.
Brave Rifles!
Smitty
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 08:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Is this a relatively new release? In any event, you've done a terrific job and most helpful is the progression through the steps of assembly.

It is the old Esci kit that came out in the late 80s (has it been 20 years already?). When Esci folded, Italeri got control of the molds. Italeri released the M60A1 Blazer and M60A1 versions and Revell released the M60A3TTS. All three kits were basically the exact same model with a simple mold swap to add the right air cleaners, gun tube and other detail items to produce the proper variant. Don't know why they just didn't include the ability to make all three variants in one box.

Even though the kit is almost 20 years old, it is still the best M60 series model to date.

BTW, the "rough and smooth, in the groove" referred to the metal "dipstick-like" piece that came out of the replenisher. If you could feel both the rough (saw-like ridges) and the smooth portion as well, you were good to go.
TankSGT
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
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Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 08:23 AM UTC
Oh man, rough and smooth in the groove, rough rough not enough, 2 smooth OK on a hot gun. I was an M60 driver for 2 years at 5'11" whats too tall. The only drivers hatch with more room was a Sheridan with out ammo. Keep building those M60s. I have built them on commission but haven't built mine yet.

Tom
Removed by original poster on 09/19/06 - 19:40:10 (GMT).
TankSGT
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 08:04 PM UTC
When I build my M60A1 it will be a rise passive, with top loading armored air cleaners. A11. Circa 1978.
So many kits so little time.

Eric didn't mean to hijack the post keep us informed as to how the kit is coming along. Have you picked out markings yet? In Europe on maneuvers we carried all our gear with us so a lot of stowage would be appropriate. Are you going for a tank in one of the training areas or one out on the country side before the fall of the wall?

Tom
jimb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
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Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 08:04 PM UTC
All this talk about the M60 has got me thinking (very dangerious!). Whoch one of these (M60A1 or M60A3) would be appropriate for 2ID in Korea in the mid 1980s?

Jim
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 08:07 PM UTC

Quoted Text

All this talk about the M60 has got me thinking (very dangerious!). Whoch one of these (M60A1 or M60A3) would be appropriate for 2ID in Korea in the mid 1980s?

Jim

The M60A3TTS was used in Korea from 1983 until replaced by the M1 in the early 1990s.

Quoted from the US Army's 1983 Historical Summary:

Quoted Text

Eighth Army's ability to fight the land war progressed this year when the Army's first three COHORT units-a field artillery battalion and two infantry companies-were assigned to the 2d Infantry Division. Acquiring modernized equipment and intelligence forces has helped as well. The 2d Division already has fielded the M 198 155-mm. towed howitzer, AH-IS Cobra TOW, and a military intelligence battalion. Over the next few years, Eighth Army will receive some 180 new equipment systems, including counter-fire radar, the MLRS, Viper, Black Hawk helicopter, improved TOW missiles, M60A3 tanks, and the Tactical Fire Direction System (TACFIRE).



The Eighth Army used the M1 until the end of 1995. Here is an excerpt from a December 1995 Soldiers magazine article:

Quoted Text

LARGE cranes lifted the M1A1 tanks onto the railcars at Pier 8 at Pusan Port, Korea. From the port, the tanks would travel by train north to the 2nd Infantry Division headquarters to replace older M1 tanks. . .Some of the newer tanks would become part of a war contingency stockpile, a collection of about 1,500 prepositioned combat vehicles. The older M1s would eventually be transported by train back to the port and shipped to the California National Guard.



Prior to this, the Eighth Army in Korea had the M60A1 until it was replaced by the M48A5 in 1979. Here is an excerpt from the Army's Historical Summary of 1979:

Quoted Text

In Korea, a suspension system problem in M60A1 tanks necessitated their replacement with M48A5 tanks from the continental United States. The change was completed in July 1979, 3 1/2 months after approval of the action and fourteen days ahead of schedule.


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