You knew that just by looking?

I'm impressed, really.

Darn nice model there.

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.

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. 

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?

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

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

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

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.

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. 

Thanks Karl for the link to your excellent build.

Kim

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

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?

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

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

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