RalphSarc Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 M60A1 Battle Tank with Reactive Armor Scale 1/35 Kit Number 35157 The design for the venerable M60 tank series dates back to the mid 1950's, and had been a mainstay in the U.S. armed forces since then. In order to survive the increasing demands of battlefield operations, it has undergone numerous upgrades and improvement throughout the past 30 years. First produced in the Warren Army tank plant, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. in October 1963, the type M60A1 variant has been acknowledged one of the masterpieces in U.S. armor history. Major improvements found in the A1 version was the M68 105mm main gun, which was mounted in a sleek wedge-shaped monobloc-cast turret. The U.S. Marines, who currently operate he M60A1 tank, have opted not to upgrade it to the A3 version because of plans to employ the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. However, they did install the state-of-the-art reactive armor array on their M60's for improved survivability against shaped-charge missiles and shells, calling the tank an M60A1 + (plus). The externally mounted reactive armor (ERA) used on the M60A1 + tanks is a bolt-on kit, that is spaced away from the main armor, adding additional dead air space for increased protection. Combined with the RISE (Reliability Improved Selected Equipment) program, including the improved stabilized gun, passive searchlight, a new air cleaner, etc., the M60A1 + is highly capable of remaining in the front line operation as proved during the latest Persian Gulf Conflict.
RalphSarc Posted February 10, 2015 Author Posted February 10, 2015 Very nice! The USMC M60 is one of my favorite tanks, up there with the Challenger 1. Will be watching for sure! I'm really looking forward to this build. Lots of parts for the turret that's for sure. Any helpful hints??
Paulster Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Get some pe mesh to replace that vinyl crap in the kit. Used it on my IDF M60 and it fought me all the way. 1
RalphSarc Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Eh, parts count isn't that bad! Try Trumpeter's T-80BV - 1000+ parts! Granted, at least 400 of them are track, but still... Honestly I haven't built an M60 since I was a kid, back when I thought it was perfectly acceptable to just use a piece of scotch tape as the searchlight cover, so no real subject-specific tips. But, with reactive armor blocks, I find it useful to lay some paint before they go down so you aren't fighting to get underneath them. Because getting under/behind this was a PAIN! Great minds think alike concerning painting and installing the reactive armor, lol!!!
RalphSarc Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Get some pe mesh to replace that vinyl crap in the kit. Used it on my IDF M60 and it fought me all the way. Great idea Paul. I have several types of brass mesh I've been using for stowage rack liners, intake grills etc. Looks much better than the kits black mesh!
RalphSarc Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Completed step 1. The installation of parts B1 and B2 were a bit challenging. The instruction suggest using tape to hold the two hull side sections in place which is fine however the angle seems to be slightly mismatched so filled the small cap with my homemade styrene glue!! Beginning the suspension in Step 2.
wemattson Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Ralph, You're a tank building machine! i'll be following along with this one. Wayne 1
RalphSarc Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 Did a bit of work on the suspension yesterday and plan a little more this evening. So far so good!!
RalphSarc Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 Ralph, You're a tank building machine! i'll be following along with this one. Wayne Thanks Wayne, lol!!! I'll run out of kits some day!
RalphSarc Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 Well powered through steps 3/5 this evening with no problems. Was careful to align all the suspension rods at the correct angle so the road wheels will sit straight and flat.Installed the rear hull panel and the main drive sprockets. Also did a small amount of filler and seam work on the hull side pieces. Wasn't happy with the fit and since the M60A1 doesn't have side armor that seam will show! Yay we graduated from the lower hull assemble to the upper hull for now. Starting step 6!!! Not that I don't like suspension and road wheel work but glad to be on the upper hull!!!
RalphSarc Posted February 20, 2015 Author Posted February 20, 2015 Sorry been really busy with hospital appts with Beth. Her Doctor's have changed her chemo drugs and it has really kicked her butt. She's lost her hair again :-( Oh well here's a few update shots!! Scratch built tow cables. Used Vallejo Chipping Solution to chip the reactive armor and the hull. First time and it's great stuff! Stowage! 1
wemattson Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Ralph, Excellent job! Man, your skills have improved tremendously; your models keep getting better and better. Wayne 1
RalphSarc Posted February 21, 2015 Author Posted February 21, 2015 Ralph, Excellent job! Man, your skills have improved tremendously; your models keep getting better and better. Wayne Thanks Wayne I'm very pleased with the effects on this build!
coolboxx Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Hi Ralph sorry to hear about Beth, wish you guys the best. Great job sir love the detail, paint chipping and rust transfer to the rubber nice touch well done. iam nicking that
RalphSarc Posted February 22, 2015 Author Posted February 22, 2015 Hi Ralph sorry to hear about Beth, wish you guys the best. Great job sir love the detail, paint chipping and rust transfer to the rubber nice touch well done. iam nicking that Thanks for the well wishes, this was a great build!
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