Hello Kim!

Off to a great start! I'm a little surprised you didn't take the new Dragon kit - that might have saved you some work, like closing up those motorization holes. I have completed the Tamiya kit (well, the copy of it) like 15 years ago - you can see it here:

http://www.vietnam.net.pl/M48en.htm

Maybe it can help you any.

It's a great thing to have a photo reference like you do. I don't know, if you can discuss your build with the man who was there and done that, but if you do - it's even more help and makes the satisfaction from building something really accurate just extraordinary.

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks for looking and I will be looking into your build.  As for using the Tamiya kit versus the Dragon.  I might have saved time and money putting all the after market, but I didn't know if the Dragon had the earlier commanders coupla.  Namely I didn't look into it.  Also my friend had this kit when he gave it to me.  Also I would have replaced the tracks.  I just don't like the DS tracks.

It was a pleasure to talk and learn about tank warfare in Vietnam directly from someone who was there.  So this is even a bigger pleasure to build this for him.  A big difference is the M60 versus the M2.  In my research I have not found a picture but will go with what he said to me.

Thanks again.

Kim

Kim,

Hey, I think I probably used the very same article for my Patton that got published in Finescale as a cover story last year! This build of yours is like deja vu'! Same stuff I did to mine! Looking nice!

Here's the link to my build; you will probably enjoy seeing the similarities in our approach!

M48A3 Patton by Karl

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/131168.aspx?PageIndex=16

Pawel,

How did you post the link to your build there? I tried to do it using the link icon and it didn't work. How did you do it?

Karl,

it's like in that story - I didn't know it couldn't be done :-). Nah, I didn't bother with the button, just pasted the url with the http in the beginning. The forum software used to automatically link it, and it still does.

Paweł

Thanks Karl for the link to your excellent build.

Kim

Very cool! Just won one of the same kit in a raffle drawing at a show this weekend. Will be sure to check out the links when I get around to building the thing- thanks guys! And looking forward to seeing how yours comes out Kim. 

Same here. I've got one of these in que as well. With all of the extra parts from the M-103 and now the M-60 I'm working on, I'll be having a little fun with mine lol.

Here is the next update.  I had started to add the PE that I am so addicted to. I have finally got the nose to the shape and contours that I am happy with.

I made a mistake when I listed what I am using.  I had said I was using a Verlinden M48 set, I am using the Legends M48 accesories set.  I liked the looks of the manlet.  I did modify it though.  I didn't like the look of the barrel angled up.  I cut the manlet and used Squadron green putty to reshape it.

Finally is a bottom shot of the hull.  You can see that I added styrene strips to the bottom of the fenders.  I attempted to recreated how the fender mounts hold the fenders up.  Also you can see the brass rod that will hold the drive sprockets straight.  I didn't like the way the sprockets where sitting with the stock kit.  I feel this will lead to a better looking track run. As I am going to be using the AFV club tracks.

Really good work so far. This is really "shaping" up lol.

Hello Kim!

Your model is looking good! You might want to spray a little primer on the hull bottom, to check the filling of the motorization holes - the thing is, sometimes the primer shrinks and the filled places are visible through the paint - I had the same thing when I was building my model. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks for the comments.  Pawel, priming is in the plans.  I know from experience that once I put a coat of primer on, small imperfections are very noticable.

Thanks again.

Kim

I really, really like watching build ups of the Tamiya M48. This one is going to be a zinger, really off to a great start.

I was staring at one I have started, just sitting waiting for some MrSurfacer to set up, and thinking: "I haven't built one in a while, and this thing is half-done already" but then reality set it. I actually have done the same thing with the turret, to get some more height, and I think it's a righteous mod. I also squatted the front suspension because I had big plans to modify the Adademy M9 dozer kit (from their M60) into the M8 for the M48, but that died a painful death, so I now have a started M48 with a pronounced nmow-down attitude. Hmmm....  Magach with a mine roller?

Well finally getting some more bench time.  Training for new job has finally ended and now back to normal bed time hours.

More photo etch work has been done.  I am trying something new. I used Mr. Surfacer on this build.  I am trying to add a little texture to the hull and turret.  Here is a shot of the turret.

Here is a shot of the tail lights and rear hull.  I added hidges to the exhaust grills.

Final photo is of the front of the hull.  Again I used some cast markings. I don't know for certain that there is suppose to be some there so I took artistic license.  I really like how the sharp contour of the hull came out.  Also showing is the PE headlight brackets. 

It is looking good.  Good job updating the old Tamiya kit.  One small issue though, the tail lights are on upside-down.  The oval and small slit should be on top and the long slits on bottom.

You knew that just by looking?

I'm impressed, really.

Darn nice model there.

Ha I guess I did. I will be switching that.

Thanks

Kim

She looks really good to me. Looking at all those teeny PE handles is giving me a headache. You sir have more patience than I! 

WOw, that's a really excellent piece of work you have going no so far, Kim! I think you've even gone an extra mile past what I remember doing to mine! Can't wait to see you put some paint on her!

Wow! You are going places with yours that I'm not even touching on mine. Well done!!

The back deck cover was cast as well. Don't forget that part.  ;)

Thanks for the compliments guys.  Thank you Mike. I didn't know that.  Another change.  

Once again thank you for the comments on what I missed or did wrong. 

Kim

Wow,lotsa details,this one is really taking shape and looking good.

Here we go.  First up I did add some texture to the rear deck.  Not a lot but it may have been covered up by the paint.  Also I wasn't able to fix the rear tail lights.  They were just CA'd in to good. I didn't want to damage anything, so I left them.  Sorry rivit counters.

In the next pictures I got her painted up.  I used Olive Green Vallejo Model Air.  I then dusted the whole build with Olive Drab.

Also at request of my friend I added his Father-in-laws nickname to the turret.  The rest of the markings I figured out from the photo or personal knowledge of the father-in-law.

I used Archer transfers for the first time.  Boy, I have a lot to learn in applying those.  I had some problems, all my fault.  Also I see one is on at a angle.  Again my fault, not the manufacturer.

Here she is after the dot filter washes.

Next up is after I applied MIG pigments.  This photo is before I blended with turpentine.

I will post pictures of after I blended with turpentine.

Here is a couple of pictures of blending.  I think I might do a little more to tune it down.  It doesn't look this dirty in real life.  I guess photos show more than the eye.

Hello Kim!

Your tank is looking good! Sometimes, looking at the photos from Vietnam you wonder if "too dirty" was even a thing there... Just watch for the logic of this - top of the turret should be somewhat cleaner than the road wheels, with maybe some footprints, but with the colour showing through, whereas the lower hull would be totally mud colour sometimes. I'm also not so sure about the markings on the rear fenders - U.S. ARMY 1/1? One thing - the marking regulation for that time period specify US ARMY, without the dots. Second - those fender quarters aren't a good place for markings, because of how often they get blown off, squashed while backing up and so on. Here are some regulations you could find useful: http://www.vietnam.net.pl/TB746_en.htm Especially the Section III. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Thank you for the comments.  The 1/1 was put on by the crew.  I will change the dots on the US Army though.  Thanks, after looking at the photos I see that she is to dirty on the top of the turret.  That is one point I knew I needed to tone down.  I am going on the marking on the rear fenders from my friends father-in-law.  He is the one that is in the orginal photo.  Happens to be the big guy closest to the mantlet.  If I am remembering right the unit was the 1st of the 1st Cav.  I hope that I didn't screw up the marking on the front glacis.  I know the B-19 is right but the other I guessed.

But thank you for the look and comments.  I appreciate them.

Kim

Aside from has already been pointed out, this is going splendidly well! I like the tone you got out of the paint and it looks really good. You did get a little crazy with the dirt up top, but you seem to already know how to fix it.

Looking good, Kim, really good.  :)

The bumper #s on the front are sort of correct.  They should be for 1st Squadron, 11th ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment).  There was no 1/1 ACR and 1 BDE, 1 CAV would not be written that way.  The rear markings should be the same as the front ones.  The US Army should not be on the rear at all.

Examples of standard Vietnam 11 ACR markings:

The rear fender was the correct location for the rear markings as well.

Thanks for the heads up on the wrong markings.  His unit was the 1/1st CAV.  I miss marked the front of the hull.  I enlarged the photo of him and his tank.  I thought it was the ACR, but looks more like CAV.  Also I found his units website and they have a picture of one of their M48A3's.  So, late last night I painted over the ACR and the rear US ARMY on the rear fender.  He has told me that they did have the 1/1 on the right rear fender.

I have repainted the CAV and will be soon fixing the way to dirty on the turret.

Thanks again

Kim