Thank you sir. I think the same of the Italeri Leopard 1A4 for 80's builds. It's a good kit that holds up well and just needs a little assistance. 

Your M-47 is excellent!  By the way, I love the Italeri Leopard 1 series!

Bill

warshipguy

Your M-47 is excellent!  By the way, I love the Italeri Leopard 1 series!

Bill

 

Remember, I'm talking early to mid 1980s here, but the Leopard II was better than the other option for a front line NATO tank, the M1/M1A1 Abrams kits by Esci. I built many of those kits for fellow lieutenants and even learned some scratchbuilding skills making pseudo-M1A1s by making resin bore evacuators from the Leo II and M1A1 kits,

So yeah, a 105 mm barrel with a 120 mm bore evacuator on it. I was proud of my work back then, but it would look very lame today!

Thank you Bill. It's finally getting there.

Having recently built the ESCI Leopard 2 that I had in my stash for many years, and comparing it to the Testor/Italeri Leopard 2 that I built when it was a new release, Italeri did a way better kit. They sure did have some good mold makers back then. 

Aside from adding the tracks and some antennas, basic construction is now complete. I replaced the kit .50 for the TC, with one from Dragon out of my spares drawers.

Painting can begin tomorrow…

Super nice job there SP, love how you're doing the mantlet cover. 

Thank you Gamera. It took awhile to find some good shots of the way the cover was held in place.

I airbrushed on a coat of Humbrol enamel Matt Black for the base coat

And a couple close ups of the added armor texturing and Archer casting mark decals under the base coat paint. I think that they look pretty good

Good guys wear black…

Looking great Stik!  I love those casting numbers.  Aw man, it's like PE seat belts - once you see them, you have to start doing them as well!

Regarding casting numbers on the real things, how often do they change during production?  Are there variations based on casting lot?   Inquiring minds want to know.

Thank you G. As far as casting marks go, I really don't know much about them. I do know that there is usually one symbol for the casting foundry, and then other numbers may be part numbers, lot numbers, or serial numbers. 

Excellent! I always love the sinster look of all black!

Good to hear that you like it Gamera.... but....

Woohoo! Olive Drab applied! I used Mission Models FS 33070 version of OD on this one. In all honesty, the more that I airbrush Mission Models, the less that I like them. Maybe it’s the dry climate here, but I get far better control and results with most every other brand. Anyways….

and some close ups of the casting texture and marks decals under the paint

More to come in a few days…

Okay, now she's starting to look like an American tank!

The texture you added looks wonderful under the paint. And the black base makes her look almost pre-shaded already. Guess I need to try that, I usually just prime the model in a dark OD green colour and just lighten as I move up.

Thanks Gamera. Ya know, I'm thinking about trying a black green or very dark OD for my next US AFV build instead of the black. At least for the non suspension and non grill areas. Then go with OD over that.... 

Stik,

She looks great ( as usual for you ) and I love the mantle cover job.

As hot as it is where you are I'm surprised the paint doesn't dry coming out of the nozzle!

There is nothing quite like seeing an American tank in good ole olive drab. The cast armor texture looks amazing! I especially like the casting numbers you added. 

M1 & John, thank you guys! I do appreciate your kind words.

So yesterday was bit more work on the road to completion,

I painted the road wheel and return roller tires using Mission Models Rubber Black. Then I airbrushed on a coat of Future in preparation for decals

Then I had to give the tracks a test fit…

Decals coming soon…

And the decals are now on! Not that many, even if some are a bit large and gaudy. 

These Star Decals are a bit thick and matt in finish. It’s taken a few doses of Solvaset to get the larger ones to conform to the texturing.

She looks ready to rumble! Beautiful finish work, Stik.

Thanks M1! The finish line is finally in sight! Not too much longer until it's ready to rumble!

That's so cool! Love the black panther markings! 

Carlos,

The texturing on your model is outstanding! I have to admit that I didn't fully see it coming together until now.  The decals (especially your Black Panther) is impressive as well.  Well sone so far!

Bill

Carlos,

What everyone else has said... really nice work! Looking forward to the final reveal.

Ben

Thanks guys. Been kinda busy around here with stuff so I haven't had much urge to be at the bench when I've had the free time. I do want to get this one all finished up soon. Just need to feel that energy flow to do the last bits.

Well, after sidelining this one in the mid summer due to life going on, I knuckled down on this one and wrapped it up over the past few day. Calling this done for now until I can whip up a proper base, a figure, and perhaps a few more additions.

Very nice!  I had forgot about this one - you did a lot of scratch work on the engine if I recall.  Sure looks good.  Line all the cats up - you did the Pershing right?

keavdog

Very nice!  I had forgot about this one - you did a lot of scratch work on the engine if I recall.  Sure looks good.  Line all the cats up - you did the Pershing right?

 

Thanks John. Yes, this had been sidelined for the past 4 months since early July, so easily forgotten... 

And yes, lots of work in the addtions into the engine compartment, as well as external mods to back date it to an early production variant. All of that contributed to losing steam on this one. 

Yes, I now have the M26, M26A1, M46, and finally this M47. I do need to get a family portrait photo taken.

Stik, A "family" portrait is a great idea. Would love to see you post it. Fabulous job on the M47. All that engine detail is wonderful. What era are we talking about with the M47? Early '50's?

M1GarandFan

Stik, A "family" portrait is a great idea. Would love to see you post it. Fabulous job on the M47. All that engine detail is wonderful. What era are we talking about with the M47? Early '50's?

 

Thank you! Ill see about getting the "family" portrait done this weekend M1. The M47 was in US Army service in the early to mid 50's until replaced by the follow on M48. It stayed with the Guard and Reserves for a few years longer, then of course if served with various allied nations for longer. Some countries did like the M48 and replaced the gas engine with Diesel engines, and upgunned to 105mm main guns to keep it as a viable MBT into the 80s.

Very good. Thanks for the info on the M47.