I have been doing some semi-serious research about the M48A3 as compared to the Tamiya model.
The turret without a doubt NEEDS to be raised in the manner it was done here(maybe even the angle corrected). I compared about 100+ maybe more, pictures to the model turret from many different angles and sizes. It was obvious the more you looked the worse it got.
Also, there are 3 types of drive sprockets on M48s that I could see. The one Doog did was most common, the next was similar but had a small recess similar to the Tamiya kit and the one the Tamiya kit uses. All had 3 slots, I think. The third type I discounted and did not pay attention to.
The other two I did and I only saw one tank without the slots, it was wrecked from a mine. So I figure either it was the angle of the picture which did not show the slots or they used a back part in the front to make the tank usable, thus making a full sprocket. I'm not sure and just don't know. Like I said it was one picture. All the rest had the hot-dog slots.
What I did was just sand the sprocket piece down and use a razor and I have the same effect as what Doog did. The sprocket it self seemed too thick anyway. What is missing I think, I can't tell on the finished model is the 3 small holes on the sprocket.
There are 3 holes, what for I have no clue, each one is lined up before the slot. And the bolts are recessed so I am going to try and dig a little deeper but I think it looks right now. If the sprocket is too think I can use the Legend add ons to it, sand them down and drill out the holes. That would work but I think all I have to do is make the slots and 3 holes in the top in between the bolts. I might have to add a very thin spacer between the 2 haves though now that I sanded it down a bit.
I went over so many pictures. I would put them up but I don't know how yet. If y'all want I will figure it out and do it. There are also some other M48 things that are minor but I am just scratching the surface. I am going to start making sketchings of each area of the vehicle I am going to do to get the details down.
Whatever it is I think Tamiya made a pretty good model and Doog did an outstanding job. I just wish these guys got it right, do they do that on purpose? What does a company come out with a fix kit. It's easy. They came out with a bunch of BS to put on top of the tank. I saw ONE tank with that sandbag stuff a company sells as a kit for it.