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M48 - Loaded For Bear!


 

Background
The 1/35 scale Tamiya M48A3 (35120-2000) is an excellent kit in and of itself, requiring little by the builder to produce a quality model out of the box. This kit was built out of the box except for the addition of some scratchbuilt components to include bedrolls, tent roll, cargo box and mantlet cover. Construction of each of these will be covered later.

This kit is one of the old radio controlled kits but it fits together very nicely. Because of the area in the lower body designated for the batteries, the kit is void of interior detail. Because of the lack of interior, I built mine with hatches closed to simulate a tank on the move-even though the kit comes with two figures.

Box Contents
Upon opening the box you'll find five sprues of green molded parts. There was virtually zero flash and the moldings were crisp and detailed-very nice in my opinion. Also in the box is a set of polycaps for the road wheels, a decal sheet and one piece of clear film for the lens of the infrared projector. Detailed, clearly written instructions in English are included (the kit also contains instructions in Japanese).

©2002 All pictures and text by Bryan Dewberry

 

About the Author

About Bryan Dewberry (Tin_Can)
FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

My interest in modeling started while watching my dad work late night's on old Star Trek and WWII plane models. I modeled planes for about 3 or 4 years before joining the Navy in 1990 and then took a 12-year break from the hobby before starting back-up again last fall. Man has it changed since I'v...


Comments

Thanks for the comments guys. I added four natural light photo's on the web page where I have some photos stored. You can find them here. Their at the bottom with the white background.
APR 08, 2002 - 10:26 AM
Amigo--that baby is one nicely done model. Enter it in the next model contest that comes along. DJ :-)
APR 09, 2002 - 02:42 AM
Thanks DJ.
APR 09, 2002 - 05:07 AM
Howdy Tin, Just read through your article on your M48 Patton Tank build-up. I must say, a well written piece on a very well built kit Tin! I especially like the 'tissue' issue....hey, I like the way that ryhmes :-) Made me think about other tissue-like materials you might use to simulate different types of fabric. Hmmm, or how about using an actual cheap white hanky cloth. I wonder how that might work? Or, a small patch of thin calf skin leather. Just a thought. Tread.
APR 14, 2002 - 02:40 AM
As Im building an A2 version of this kit. I must concur with every thing said. It also gave me the idea about curing the manlet problem. A great build a great artcile. ponysoldier
AUG 09, 2002 - 08:23 AM
Haven't seen this thread in a while...lol! Thanks for the comments Pony.
AUG 09, 2002 - 09:11 AM
Very nice model. This is also a good model to ding up if you depict it in Vietnam, bang up the fenders a bit and tear up the front headlight guards with a bunch of red/brown mud and it looks great and mount the cal .50 on the pindle outside the turret.
FEB 23, 2003 - 11:21 AM
Thanks Keiler.
FEB 23, 2003 - 12:29 PM
Outstanding! That is one fine hunk of simulated steel!
FEB 23, 2003 - 02:11 PM
Thanks Ed.
FEB 23, 2003 - 02:26 PM