I'm covered then!

RBaer

Gino, Rob: Thanks!

Gino, where did that diagram come from? I need to print that and keep it next to me......  large enough for my old eyes to be able to see it, lol.

Edit: Well heck, it's also in the Academy instructions, big enough to see.

 

Gino, Rob: Thanks!

Gino, where did that diagram come from? I need to print that and keep it next to me......  large enough for my old eyes to be able to see it, lol.

Edit: Well heck, it's also in the Academy instructions, big enough to see.

RBaer

Thanks Rob! So, black and sand over the green?

Thanks G. I'll need a casual day I can dedicate to it......

 

RBaer

Thanks Rob! So, black and sand over the green?

It is actually four colors.  The main two, dominant ones (Forest Green and Field Drab) were sprayed, with smaller squiggles of the sand and black done by hand.

1 Forest Green

2 Field Drab

3 Sand Squiggles

Black Squiggles

Thanks Rob! So, black and sand over the green?

Thanks G. I'll need a casual day I can dedicate to it......

RBaer: Cool! Looks good and good luck with the MERDC!

Rob: Interesting, thanks! So I guess a hard-edge is perfectly okay.

It looks kind of black here, my lighting and camera I think. The color is Rustoleum camo green.

IMG_1328 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I think I'm going to do the four color MERDC....  Academy had a pretty good four plan view in the instructions, and I'm told that the additional colors could be brushed on, good for me since that's how I'll be doing it.

waynec

 

and we had M-219s and even some M-73 COAX. if you got one to shoot well you just passed it from tank to tank during gunnery.

 

I trained on the M1IP in AOB, but went to a unit in Germany that still had the M60A3TTS. I had no experience on that tank or with its fire control system, but enough was similar to the CEV and M48A5 that I was able to figure it out and shoot superior my first gunnery a month after I got into Germany.

Even in December 1987, there were still soldiers in the unit that had served on the M60A2 when the battalion was still 3/68 Armor.

RBaer

Pics soon, in green!

 

HURRAH!!! 

Pics soon, in green!

She's coming along really well, looking forward to seeing her in her new OD green suit.

Well, I think it's ready for paint. The fenders were easier to make work than I thought, with only a bit of compromise, and that part is pretty well hidden. A little accumulated diet and it's all good. Everything else (with the exception of a radio antenna and mount, not in the Academy instructions) is done.

IMG_1186 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_1184 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_1185 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I'm sure I'll have some cleanup to do after I get the first coat of green on, but other than that I'm happy.

You're making great progress!

And I think it's normal to look back and think of what you could have done better after you did the hard way.

As to the fenders maybe you could trace something off and make them from plastic sheet stock?

Rob & Wayne: Always interesting to hear about service on the real thing.

Rob Gronovius

Yeah, I hated the M85 .50 cal. It was the TC's weapon on my original MOS 12F CEV crewman, but I really learned to hate it as a TC of an M60A3TTS.

I did the M551 TC3 (tank commander certification course) after my advanced course because of a follow on assignment to the 82nd's airborne tank battalion, 3/73 AR. But that assignment was cancelled due to the scheduled deactivation of the unit.

I did Motor Officer, then M60A2 transition after armor officer basic. kept me stateside through Christmas got to BRD in January and we transitioned to A2s in starting in July after June ARTEP at Hoehenfels.

and we had M-219s and even some M-73 COAX. if you got one to shhot well you just passed it from tank to tank during gunnery.

More modeling: Turret is about done, except for spare track and stowage, and I started on the back of the hull, getting the tail light housings on and a pair of Dragon rear fenders. The inner fenders are gonna be a head scratcher: I have the DEF models brass parts, but they're made for the Academy fender curvature and the Dragon fenders have a tighter radius bend. Hmmm....

IMG_1034 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_1035 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_1033 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

A word on the basket and its PE: Had I been smart I would have used the PE "floor" parts to align the various pieces of the baskets themselves. As is, I had a few minor fit issues when I went to put the mesh in, all because my assembly of the plastic basket pieces was off just a bit. Also, the PE represents perforated sheet, when it should be expanded metal.

Yeah, I hated the M85 .50 cal. It was the TC's weapon on my original MOS 12F CEV crewman, but I really learned to hate it as a TC of an M60A3TTS.

I did the M551 TC3 (tank commander certification course) after my advanced course because of a follow on assignment to the 82nd's airborne tank battalion, 3/73 AR. But that assignment was cancelled due to the scheduled deactivation of the unit.

Rob Gronovius

The benefit is that everyone had a hatch (TC, gunner, driver, loader) whereas on a regular tank only the loader, driver and commander have a hatch.

The gun was a missile launcher that could also fire what was akin to a giant shotgun shell. The shape of the turret was to minimize the profile to enemy gunners.

that would be a cannister round. 60 degree coverage, max range 300m. the 152mm HEAT round was slow. at 2000m you would be hitting the top of the target. at that range you could get a  second round in the air before the first hit.

breech was automatic opening to allow compressed air to blow out any residual embers from combustable cartridge. TC had an M-85 .50 HMG, mounted upide down with right hand feed. Fully stabilized independent of the turret, also fully stabilized. PITA to load.

Wow, that basket looks like a lot of work. Nice job!

Hmmm, I figured 'Starship' was just because the tank was so high-tech at the time. Thanks Rob!

Tanker-Builder

Hmmm;

     Gotta ask, What's with the Turret shape on this tank version? Musta been a bear to live with, Huh, maybe?

The gun was a missile launcher that could also fire what was akin to a giant shotgun shell. The shape of the turret was to minimize the profile to enemy gunners.

Hmmm;

     Gotta ask, What's with the Turret shape on this tank version? Musta been a bear to live with, Huh, maybe?

Rob Gronovius

And that's how the A2 became known as the Starship to the public. But to tankers, it was simply an "A2" to differentiate it between the M48A5, M60, M60A1 and M60A3.

Thanks Rob.

waynec

anybody know when the A2 got the name STARSHIP? we never called it that in my unit in Germany when i was in an A2 unit 1975-1978.

There is a well known photo of an M60A2 all prettied up in the new MASSTER 7th Army scheme. The crew had named their tank "STARSHIP" because of the cutting edge, high technology introduced in the tank, and the tank commander may have been a Star Trek fan.

So, now you have a new, futuristic tank, in a fancy, new camouflage paint scheme with a name straight out of a science fiction television show in a publicity photograph.

People mistakenly think the name of the new tank series is the individual tank's name. Then they call the M60A2 a "Starship".

And that's how the A2 became known as the Starship to the public. But to tankers, it was simply an "A2" to differentiate it between the M48A5, M60, M60A1 and M60A3.

Thank you. Another three hours (whew!) and the turret basket framework is done. I plan on taking a break before I attempt the mesh, all PE supplied in the kit. The amount of pins marks was daunting, and the frame itself was a bit of a Rubik's cube.....

IMG_0919 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Now that is looking really nice so far. Your extra detail and corrections are going to make this one a true standout.

Ben

Another question: As far as I can tell, based mostly on the Hunnicut book, the bore evacuator was on the pilot, with the CBSS added early in the testing phases, and then the bore evacuator deleted as unnecessary on later production turrets? I'm thinking about which gun tube to use, the one with or w/o the evacuator. The Academy kit supplies both, one piece and very usable.

Pics today. The smoke launchers were, well.....  I can't really describe what a pain they were, but I only launched two or three of the tiny bits into oblivion, not bad for me.

IMG_0917 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_0918 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Tow cables are the kit ends with the groove for the kit supplied string fill and drill ed for wire. Brass from DEF and the kit being used. The kit actually has some usable and necessary PE (silver, stainless steel?) included, good on Academy there.

anybody know when the A2 got the name STARSHIP? we never called it that in my unit in Germany when i was in an A2 unit 1975-1978.

i have the AFV CLUB one which, if i build it,  will be C16, my tank, with 4 color pattern including brown and green road wheels and camo on the lower hull under the fenders, older chevron track and bore evacuator. a lot of firsts with this tank; laser range finder, passive sights, stabilized .50 M85 in the cupola, and target designation.

i always thought they should have been a 4 battery tank destroyer battalion at division level where a battery could be attached to each brigade. engage at 3000+m and start pulling back letting the A1s take over at 2000m. rate of fire was too slow for engagements under 2000m and the 152mm HEAT round was quite slow.