M60 / M48 Searchlight question / help

usmc1371

Member since
October 2005
From: Maryland

M60 / M48 Searchlight question / help

Posted by usmc1371 on Saturday, July 20, 2013 9:05 AM

Hello all,

I recently bought Dragons 1/35 M4a3. It doesn't come with the searchlight or cover for the manlet. I have an aftermarket cover and searchlight. Unfortunately, the searchlight does not come with the items to mount it the manlet.

I know the M60 also used a searchlight and the mount looks very similar to the M48's mount. I was wondering if the Academy or Tamiya M60a1 with Reactive Armor models comes with the mounting hardware. If so, I could buy one of these kits, use the mounting hardware on the M48 and still be able to build the M60. I figure the mounting hardware would not be seen under the add on armor on the M60.

I realize I will probably have to modify the M60 mount for the M48, but it gives me a place to start.

So, long story short, does anyone know if the searchlight mounting hardware is included with the Academy/Tamiya M60a1 with Reactive Armor kits?

Thanks for your help,

Jesse

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pyrman64

Member since
May 2005

Posted by pyrman64 on Saturday, July 20, 2013 10:21 AM

The parts are on the "C" & "D" sprues in the Tamiya M60 kits.

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, July 20, 2013 10:27 AM

Yes, the Tamiya USMC M60A1 RISE/Passive w/ERA kit #35157 includes the searchlight and mounting pieces. They are listed as "unused" and are parts C13, C14, C26, C27, D26 (x2) and D27. Since this kit is basically a reissued Tamiya M60A3 105mm Gun Tank kit #35140 with new ERA sprues, that kit also includes the parts as well.

I have the Academy version as well, but will have to dig around to find the USMC version. I see the IDF Blazer box in the stash and will check that one as well.

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, July 20, 2013 11:00 AM

OK, the Academy M60A1 RISE/Passive w/ERA kit #1349 does come with the searchlight mounting parts, but the searchlight is the more modern AN/VSS-3 1kW xenon arc tank searchlight and not the same that the Tamiya kit includes. Those parts are D41 (x2) and D40 and are only used if you do not use the reactive armor (although the instructions incorrectly call it passive armor, passive refers to the gunner's night vision sight).

The IDF Blazer kit #1367 also has those same parts as unused.

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usmc1371

Member since
October 2005
From: Maryland

Posted by usmc1371 on Saturday, July 20, 2013 6:08 PM

Thanks, Rob. I appreciate your looking into this for me.

-Jesse

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, July 20, 2013 8:02 PM

I'll take a look through my parts box to see if I have an extra searchlight and mounts. Here is a photo of my old M48A5 with searchlight for inspiration.

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usmc1371

Member since
October 2005
From: Maryland

Posted by usmc1371 on Sunday, July 21, 2013 7:23 AM

That's ok, Rob. I decided to just order the Tamiya M60a1. It's a kit was going to do sometime in the future anyway. It was a toss up between ordering the M60a1 or Tamiya's M48. I really didn't want to order another M48 just for the mounting parts but if the M60's mounting parts are adaptable, I'll go with ordering that.

Thanks again for you help and the pictures,

Jesse

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tellis

Member since
September 2004
From: Burke, Virginia

Posted by tellis on Monday, August 5, 2013 12:31 PM

You can always count on Rob G. to break out the M48A5 pix. Thanks for sharing these, they bring back memories of my first year as a TC on one. That really made you appreciate the tech that went into the Abrams.

T Ellis Springfield, VA