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Academy Patton...Finished

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  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, March 18, 2017 3:04 PM

Critiques...

1, on the basic colors, there is not enough contrast between the main colors. The MERDEC colors had good contrast between them, and when faded, it became even more pronounced. The Field Drab lost its greenish tinge and faded to a more sandy brown and the Forest Green  became a more brightish medium green...

2, the chipping, on the fenders was faily commonly seen, but not so much on the hull and turret. While the MERDEC paints had a tendency to shift color fairly rapidly, they were also quite durable to wear and tear, especially on solid surfaces like armor, such as the hull and turret. Yes it scuffs up, but does not really chip off of those areas.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Saturday, March 18, 2017 1:51 PM

Moving right along on this it is time for painting.

 

Up to this point not much was for sure on this build.  I knew I wanted to build it so I could tackle the cammo.  As I feel that is one of the major weaknesses I have in this hobby I wanted to challenge myself.  Once the construction was finished some choices were needed.  Just how did I want to portray this subject.  It did not take long for the thought process to hone onto the choice.  Something like a gate guard.  Weathered but not too much.  Still standing proudly as a reminder of its service.  

 

I just had to go for it.  

 

 

First was to present in that fashion I needed to try to get a handle on something I had failed with multiple times.  Paint chipping.  My other attempts ended with failure to get it right and substituting some other technique to get a worn look.  

 

First is the rust, how?  I sprayed Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer and then mixed in Testor Light Tan to highlight.  

 

 

I let this dry overnight.  

 

Now is the tricky part.  This is where the failures of the past haunted me.  I applied hairspray over the entire surface, or so I thought.  I let this dry and then began the cammo pattern.  The overall coat of Vallejo Olive Drab Primer was first.  The instructions called for Khaki but the only one I had in the paint supply was badly neglected and had dried to a point of unusable.  I went with the second choice.  Gunze Sanyo Dark Earth provided the brown.  Tamiya Buff and Apple Barrel (Walmart craft water based Acrylic) were used as well.  

 

Once each dried to the touch I began the next.  Everything I had seen on this method said to work on the chipping before the paint fully cured.  With that in mind I waited until all the paints were dry to the touch and then out came the water and brushes for the chipping.

 

 

Currently she sits drying from the gloss coat.  I plan to begin oil work once that dries.  

 

Now lets critique a bit.  I do not like the paint work.  I rushed through the steps and did a poor job with it.  I went freehand with the cammo and to be honest it only resembles the instruction call outs vaguely.  I am pretty happy with the chipping though.  I tried to keep a light approach and kept the chips and paint peeling to areas that would have seen wear and tear and where rust would naturally occur.  

 

All comments, critiques, and criticism are requested.

 

 

 

Joe

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  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Saturday, March 18, 2017 1:50 PM

Thank you all for looking in.

 

M60_ tanker

After spending most of my young adult life riding the M48 and M60 series tanks, you need to correct a few items.

One, you have the air filter boxes mounted backwards. The blower motor exhaust pipes face towards the front.

Two, there are no wires for the headlight mounts. They are internal.

Three, the sponson box handles are facing the wrong way. You have them in the open position.

 

 

M60 Thank you for the info.  I wish I would have known prior to painting, I could have fixed them.  Biggest issue with my lack of knowledge on armor subjects is relying on what I can see in the instructions and find online.  Sadly that proves to be not much or not accurate at times.  Of the three issues the only one that could be fixed at this point is the wires out of the headlights.  Those are gone now.  I do appreciate you commenting and sharing your knowledge.  

 

 

Joe

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  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, March 16, 2017 5:46 PM

Hi Joe, looking good! I don't know the first thing about tanks although I do like to build one on occasion...all wrong I'm sure, but they are fun.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    October 2015
  • From: Tacoma, WA.
Posted by M60_ tanker on Thursday, March 16, 2017 5:19 PM

After spending most of my young adult life riding the M48 and M60 series tanks, you need to correct a few items.

One, you have the air filter boxes mounted backwards. The blower motor exhaust pipes face towards the front.

Two, there are no wires for the headlight mounts. They are internal.

Three, the sponson box handles are facing the wrong way. You have them in the open position.

Nothing is impossible as long as somebody else has to do it.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, March 16, 2017 4:06 PM

Looking real good Joe! You're gettjng near the fun part now... painting and weathering! What are you planning for this puppy?

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Thursday, March 16, 2017 3:19 PM

Many thanks.  Glad you are liking her.

 

 

 

Joe

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 7:52 AM

Everything looks just right so far, nice work! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 8:22 AM

Lookin' good so far!  It sure looks better than the Monogram one, although I have seen a recent one that the builder did an exceptional job as an IDF tank.  I'm learning a lot here!

Bill

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:34 AM

Many thanks buddy.  

 

 

 

Joe

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, March 13, 2017 7:32 AM

Thats coming along nicely, looks good to me.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Sunday, March 12, 2017 10:43 PM

A bit of a double update tonight.  I had planned on just the update for the upper hull but work on the turret proceeded very quickly.  In fact that completed the "construction" phase.  Under ten hours total.

 

The detail went on without issue, well other than the parts I had to take off and redo because of builder error.  No tweezer pults, no carpet monster attacks.  Easy peazy as some would say.

 

Pictures.

 

Upper hull

 

 

And then on to the turret.

 

 

Like I said pretty simple construction on this one.  Of course it was out of the box and the only things that I modified were the cables to the headlights and the rear antenna on the turret has a wire wrapped as I sanded out the previous detail.  The main gun was two pieces and there is a bit of a warp but I have gotten it better than it was.

 

Painting can commence.  

 

 

All comment, critique, and criticism are encouraged.

 

 

 

 

Joe

Veterans,

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  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Sunday, March 12, 2017 10:36 PM

Many thanks to all who have looked in.  

 

 

 

Joe

Veterans,

Thank You For Your Sacrifices,

Never To Be Forgotten

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  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Sunday, March 12, 2017 6:42 PM

Thanks!  I remember that portrait well; I restored it after it had been damaged.  Please tell your wife that I appreciate her service as a Navy contractor as well.

Bill

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Rifle, CO. USA
Posted by M1GarandFan on Sunday, March 12, 2017 12:52 PM

Warshipguy, I know this isn't germane to the thread here, but my wife was a navy contractor for seven years and worked sonar systems on fast attacks and Poseidon boats, including the 608. She's always said the Ethan Allen was her favorite and she loved both crews, blue and gold. She always wanted to steal the portrait of Allen that was displayed somewhere in the boat, I assume in the ward room. Thanks for your service to our country!

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Sunday, March 12, 2017 7:50 AM

Rob,

I feel the same way about submarines. My first was the USS Ethan Allen (SSBN 608). She was at the end of her career and was shortly to undergo conversion to an SSN.  I served on six different boats; she is dearest to me.

I have to admit, I am enjoying my new interest in tanks.  I'm learning a lot from gentlemen such as yourself.

Bill

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: California
Posted by SprueOne on Saturday, March 11, 2017 9:27 PM

Rob, Gino, Good info on this kit. I thought it looked familiar.

Joe, Nice gap filling work. Keep going.

Anyone with a good car don't need to be justified - Hazel Motes

 

Iron Rails 2015 by Wayne Cassell Weekend Madness sprueone

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, March 11, 2017 7:36 PM

warshipguy

Rob,

Thanks for the insights!  I appreciate them very much.

Bill

 

No problem, much like a person's first car, a tanker's first tank holds a special place in one's heart. It might not be the best tank around, my M48A5 was near the bottom of US tank inventory at the time, but it was my first.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Saturday, March 11, 2017 11:22 AM

Rob,

Thanks for the insights!  I appreciate them very much.

Bill

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, March 11, 2017 11:11 AM

warshipguy

Nice work so far!  I love the Patton range, and just picked up the Tamiya version.  Granted, I was very disappointed to see the holes in the hull that will obviously need to be filled.  I will have to consider the Academy and Dragon kits for future M48 builds.

Like some of you, I just recently started into tanks, having built ship models since I was six years old (I'm 63).  They're fun!

Bill Morrison

 

The Academy kit is basically a copy of the Tamiya kit that they retooled to make an upgraded version their country used.

Right now, the Dragon M48A3 and M48A3 Mod B are the top Vietnam era kits, although the kit markings for the Mod B kit are identified as tanks that existed before the Mod B did.

Revell of Germany also does two new Patton tank kits, the West German M48A2GA2 (#03236) and the standard M48A2/A2C (#03206). The West German version only builds into their tank while the A2/A2C builds into West German, US Army and Israeli tanks. It's the one to get.

Do not confuse the Revell kit with the ancient 1956 Monogram M48A2 that is also currently available as the Revell kit with box art that has the name Love Bug on the tank turret. It was a good kit for its time, but not as nice as the current Dragon or Revell kits. It runs about $10 cheaper, but would take several times that to even bring some items up to standards of the newer kits.

Dragon also announced the M67 flame tank version of the M48A2 for release in May.
http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DRA3584

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, March 11, 2017 10:45 AM

fightnjoe

Guys thanks for all the information on it.  For me, just trying to get my feet wet.  I think I will forgo the modifications, except for the instruction called for removal of the skirt nubs on the upper hull.  I am just going to go out of box and concentrate on a clean build and then the painting.

 

 

Joe

 

I'd just keep on doing what you are doing. Fill the holes, close the seams, etc. It is still a solid kit, just has accuracy issues that modelers have adjusted or just lived with over the past 30 years.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Saturday, March 11, 2017 7:17 AM

Nice work so far!  I love the Patton range, and just picked up the Tamiya version.  Granted, I was very disappointed to see the holes in the hull that will obviously need to be filled.  I will have to consider the Academy and Dragon kits for future M48 builds.

Like some of you, I just recently started into tanks, having built ship models since I was six years old (I'm 63).  They're fun!

Bill Morrison

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Friday, March 10, 2017 9:51 PM

Time to update.

 

Time was spent working the details to the lower hull.  So far so good.  The wheels and the return rollers are ready to go but left off the hull to accommodate painting.  This puts me through step four in the instructions.

 

 

 

Next up is the upper hull.  

 

 

All comments, critique, and criticism are encouraged.

 

 

 

 

Joe

Veterans,

Thank You For Your Sacrifices,

Never To Be Forgotten

Where you can find me:

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  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Friday, March 10, 2017 9:50 PM

Guys thanks for all the information on it.  For me, just trying to get my feet wet.  I think I will forgo the modifications, except for the instruction called for removal of the skirt nubs on the upper hull.  I am just going to go out of box and concentrate on a clean build and then the painting.

 

 

Joe

Veterans,

Thank You For Your Sacrifices,

Never To Be Forgotten

Where you can find me:

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  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northern Virginia
Posted by ygmodeler4 on Friday, March 10, 2017 11:38 AM
Good information in this thread already, can't wait to see what you make of this one Joe!

-Josiah

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

That's why I like the Dragon Mod B, probably one of their best modern tank kits, except for the odd lack of mantlet cover and search light that they included in the straight M48A3. I got the Legends resin mantlet and searchlight to compensate.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Friday, March 10, 2017 8:58 AM

Rob Gronovius
They did copy a lot of the Tamiya kit. 

 

They also copied all the Tamiya screw-ups on it; like the ride height being too high, a bunch of motorization holes, blunted nose, turret height, etc., etc., etc....

Here is a great article that shows what can be fixed if you would like to correct some of it:  http://paulbudzik.com/tools-techniques/M48/m48-construction.html

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Friday, March 10, 2017 5:41 AM

Seems we have a few aircraf guys moving to the dark side latley. Good to see.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Friday, March 10, 2017 12:21 AM

SprueOne

I'll be checkin this build out. Interestingly, the lower hull parts and wheels  looks very similar to the Tamiya M48A3 kit .

 

They did copy a lot of the Tamiya kit. But they made an error and downsized the tracks. In order to allow the tracks to fit under the Korean Army side skirts, they made them narrower. So while the kit instructions give the option to make a US version without the side skirts, the edges of the fenders were modified to mount the skirts. It makes the edges kind of messed up with some trimming and modification required to add detail back to those edges.

The M48A5 was my first tank, and I was never happy with the Academy kit. Thankfully, Dragon came out with an M48A3 Mod B that gives a more accurate base that I can add the Academy A5 parts to.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: California
Posted by SprueOne on Thursday, March 9, 2017 10:40 PM

I'll be checkin this build out. Interestingly, the lower hull parts and wheels  looks very similar to the Tamiya M48A3 kit .

Anyone with a good car don't need to be justified - Hazel Motes

 

Iron Rails 2015 by Wayne Cassell Weekend Madness sprueone

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