Looking to expand my collection: US Tank History in 1:72

Once I used Revell's M60A1 to accurize ESCI's M48A3 - that was fun build! But there's also an update kit by a company called OKB Grigorov that has styrene track and road wheels for an M48, that would fit early M60, too. Still, Revell's M60 might be cheaper and easier to get, and it might also have better detail than the old ESCI.

Greysteele

BTW- I do have an ESCI M60A3 kit but it's missing the tread (I think I used them to accurize a Captain Scarlet SPV a while back). Short of buying another kit, does anyone know where I might find replacement tread for that scale/subject?

The Esci M60A1/A2/A3 kits aren't as good as the Revell of Germany M60A1/A3 kits in 1/72 scale. I'd look for the Revell one versus trying to find another set of tracks. It might be cheaper.

Incidently, in 1/35 scale, the Revell of Germany M60A3 is a rebox of the Esci M60A1/A3 kit.

The problem with the old Esci 1/72 scale M48, M60 and M1 series kits is that the insides of the tracks are missing guide teeth and instead of paired road wheels, the road wheels are molded as one thick single wheel. Which is probably why there are no guide teeth.

Thanks for the suggestions and especially the pointers to kit-makers for some of the obscure subjects.
For now, I'm trying to stay with tanks. I may expand to TD/MGC subjects in the future so those suggestions I'll add to a "some day" list.

Thanks again!

BTW- I do have an ESCI M60A3 kit but it's missing the tread (I think I used them to accurize a Captain Scarlet SPV a while back). Short of buying another kit, does anyone know where I might find replacement tread for that scale/subject?

Eduard/ExtraTech do the M36 and M10 Wolverine in 1/72 scale as does UM. UM also does the T1 Combat Car.

S-Model makes a lot of what you are looking for. They often come in 1+1 sets, with one being a full kit and the other being a wargaming kit with simpler builds.

As far as significant tank development, most of the later US light tank lines were dead ends, but the role of the ligh tank was absorbed by the armored personnel carrier, like the M113 and Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Much more important vehicles that are in use for well over 40 years while the entire lifespan of the US light tank was half that.

And just to shake things up, the Stryker MGS by Dragon and Trumpeter is another branch of US armor development.

The RPM kits are nor for the faint of heart, much like those by AER as well. They make lesser known subjects, but are of limited quality.

ACE Models is another company that makes limited run kits but also are of important vehicles.

Hello!

First thing - please check out scalemates.com - that's a dtabase with almost every kit that's ever been done, there you can find your missing items.

Other that I have following recommendations:

M41 is done by Armory in Ukraine: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-72-m41a1-a2-walker-bulldog-armory/

M551 was done by Airfix a looong time ago and then by S-Model: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/s-model-china-ps720027-m551-sheridan-early-version--239082

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airfix-02311-sheridan-tank--148854

(OK, Scalemates gives you info that it's actually 1:76, but is labeled as 1:72 on the box)

And you can look M60 up, but Revell makes a quite nice M60A1:

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03168-m60-a1-with-era--102191

I hope it helps you - good luck with your collection and have a nice day

Paweł

You should look for an M47 Patton as well. If you're adding Tank Detroyers, or more accurately Gun Motor Carriages, the M10 is a should have. 

Don't know if its available in 1/72, but an M18 TD needs to be on your list.