M48A3 model kits

[SHAWN]

are there any good kits out for the M48A3? what am i recommended to buy? i saw that tamiya has an A3 kit but is it any good?

[binder001]

Most people agree that the Tamiya kit of the M48A3 is basically quite good. The biggest problem is that Tamiya measured an EMPTY tank, no ammo, fuel, stores, etc and thus their kit stands several scale inches too tall. The correction just takes time and effort, cut the suspension arms off the locator pins and glue then in at a more shallow angle, thereby lowering the tank. Obviously any model tank has tweaks and improvements, but the Tamiya kit at least gives a decent starting point.

[SHAWN]

i had been curious about the tamiya kit, considering my unhappiness with some of their kits i was hesistant about purchasing their A3. many of their kits are 30+ years...

[Sabot]

Other than the Academy copy that came out right after the Tamiya kit, it is the only one around. Academy does a Korean M48A5, but for some reason, shrunk the size of the tracks in order to fit under the fenders when side skirts are added.

Tamiya's is a decent kit from the 80s.

[JeffStringer]

I did build the Academy M48A5 and can say it was a pretty easy build except for the two front axles for the forward road wheels, they need to be modified to allow the suspension to drop the wheels to actually touch the 'ground'.

The Korean version has side amor shields similar to the Centurion, so that is a cool option. The kit also has the vinyl/rubber tires to slip over the wheels and your choice of versions to build.


Jeff

[SHAWN]

thanks guys, i will check out the kits. i will probably go with the tamiya.
i want to build all of the armor that my father came across in vietnam.
i am working on the tamiya duster now. i am able to hide many sins of the kit cause i am putting it into a box dio, set "in the dark" with minimal lighting effects... gooks on the wire. now all i need to do is fit puff the magic dragon into the pic, maybe a 1/72 kit with forced perspective...
it is still a project in the making

[JeffStringer]

Cool ... a Tamiya Duster. I built one of those back when it first came out and I believe it was motorized. I did pick up a Revell M42 SEALED kit off ebay a while back! Not the best to choose from but maybe a little nostalgic.


Jeff

[SHAWN]

it is coming along. i really dont like the kit. everything would need to be rebuilt to actually show the way i would like. but considering the way i want to display/present it, it will be fine. the figures and crew will draw attention... right now i am working on the sandbag emplacement.
and the revell kit, i can say that i have had 3 of them, they went to the parts box and then have been given away or pitched

[mike_Duplessis]

Ah, the old Tamiya model. I recall 20+ years ago when I kit-bashed that kit into a T54. No, not the Russian T54 but the oscllating turret test vehicle that was on diplay at Aberdeen Proving Grounds! Whotta monster!

Wasn't there an old 1:32 scale M48 from the late 1960s? I want to say it was billed as 1:32 but actually scaled closer to 1:35. If I recall correctly it was a moderatley awful kit - like they all were back then - but its saving grace was that it looked 'right' when done. Sat much more solidly on the ground than the Tamiya vehicle. Ah! I can't for the life of me remember the manufacturer name.

[JeffStringer]

Monogram?

[Sabot]

Monogram did an M48A2 gas engined tank. It was 1/35, but since most of their earlier line was 1/32, most folks think it was 1/32 as well. Not a bad kit for its day. I have seen intrepid builders kit bash it with the Tamiya kit and make a pretty nice A2 from the project.