M-48A3 Mod B Patton - US Army Vietnam - Build

[c.rainford73]

Spectacular Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,

This post is for the fender stowage bins and the new metal tracks.

Careful study of reference pictures is required to understand the proper shape of the stowage bins and the details needed for accuracy.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Notice incorrect back slope of the original on the right side and reworked model on the left. It just need sanding with the Dremel. The original bins are also much lacking in details.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The detailing is done and the bins are ready to be installed on the fenders. It somehow took a long time. The Schumo M-26 handles will be added when i receive them from Axel Modellbau.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The bins are positioned and the fine detailing of the fenders with all the brackets and supports braces can now be started.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

I started the fenders support brackets. Much more to come on these.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Also installed the newly received 1/16 Mato M-26 metal tracks and sprockets as replacement for the plastic ones i had in store. They are really superb tracks and they give the model tank the weight needed to properly activate the suspension instead of flying over obstacles. The tracks and sprockets are on sale at Mato Mart for $67 US, highly recommended. It would have been nice to have the right M-48 tracks with rubber chevrons but the M-26 are the closest tracks available.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

They are correctly articulated. Each link is made of 7 parts. I am really glad these come assembled because just removing one link to make them fit the M-48 gave me a small struggle but it went faster with the second track. They might have to be soaked in oil for proper running, tbd later.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi, here are the fenders

The M48 fenders are rich in brackets, braces, bolts and nuts. These are worth reproducing for a detailed model. The M48A3 Mod B version had re-enforced fenders and the attachments are different than the early M48A3. As the tanks were modified to Mod B, remnants of the early brackets can still be found on the front glacis. There are also variations for the Mod 3, the embossed stiffeners are sometimes not there on the 3th panel from the front.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

I have spent 20 hours to rebuild the fenders that I had previously totally flattened. A key item to add is the L shaped 2mm x 3mm brass strip alongside the exterior of the fender in sections, in addition to the brackets and about 120 nuts and bolts on each side. Installing these Meng nuts and bolts is enough to make you sick but they are really important for the accuracy and look.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Following at 3 pictures that compare Before (left) and After (right). The 21st Century model is an early M48A3 so there are differences in layout but you can see where the changes on common components.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The heater exhaust tube is not yet installed. Embossed stiffeners were made with 1mm half round rods.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The engine deck attachments to the lower hull with the 3 large bolts was redone in proper shape and dimensions. I just got the Schumo M26 handles from Axel Modellbau and will be added soon to the bins.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The real thing on the left, and model on the right. A best effort was made to repro the features so that the model can sustain a good level of close up inspection and be accurate. It would take much longer to fully represent all the particularities of the metal sheets of the real tank, which sometimes look improvised themselves.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Capture3.JPG (97.57 KiB) Viewed 3569 times

There is a lowered section next to the air filter doors.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Meng 1.4mm and 1mm bolts/nuts were used, some with or without washers. It is important to check references to determine on which side to put the bolt heads, its varies.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

A close inspection with a cooler head reveals that I am still missing about 20 bolts on each fender around the air filters. Also did a couple of mistakes that need rectification.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Regards, Louis

[Max-U52]

As always, Louis, that's some excellent work. I really like those tracks. They would look very good on my M26. Did you have to color them or did they come like that?

[lmcq11]

Did you have to color them or did they come like that?

Hi, no they come like that, already built and with a finish similar to gun bluing.

Presenting the rear of the tank

The rear of the M48A3 Mod B has differences with the early A3. Notice the heavy armor strips placed around the grills and the squared armored box around the tail lights. Analysis is required to determine all the improvements that can be made.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The 21st Century model is a early M48A3 US Marines version with snorkel type apparatus on the engine exhaust grills. This would likely be useful for landing from an LCT in Da Nang, but i did not see any pictures of M48 tanks carrying it in action in Vietnam, so it had to go.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

I decided to install Mato Sherman tail lights on the model. I did not reuse the 21st tail lights as they seemed under scaled. As this 1/18 M48 is as big as an 1/16 M26, so use of 1/16 small items do not really look out of scale. After removing some of the metal bracket on the back of the Mato lights, the mount on the model almost seems to have been designed for them.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Here is the almost finished M48 rear. The armor strips on the grills and armored boxes around the tail light were added, and some additional details in white plasticard. AFV_Model M-26 shackles were used. One area I did not improve yet are the grill doors and hinges details on the sides. TBD later because there is some structural issue with the side of the grills that need some thinking. At this time, I prefer to move on to the turret.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

I think it will be a pretty good and proud looking M48 when I am done with it.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Once the snorkel attachment is removed, the hole need to be plugged and the base for the mount needs to be built with plasticard strips and Meng nuts, as seen in ref pictures.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The model gun travel lock is not too bad, only the base need to be improved a bit.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The same DioramaPart hook as used on the Sho't Kal Centurion was put on as replacement for the plastic one of the model.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Before and After comparison picture

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Now, the turret...

Regards, Louis

[c.rainford73]

Simply outstanding Louis!

[Model Builder 4]

Great work as always Louis, the detail you achieve is fantastic

Cheers, Lee.

[Raminator]

Surgical-precision work as always, Louis. I was contemplating something similar for the fenders on my current build, but chickened out. I'll live with over-scale thickness for now, I don't think my heart could handle redoing all the bolts!

[Max-U52]

I just might have to pick up a pair of those tracks. Of course, the tracks on the real tank would have had rubber chevron's, correct?

[BarryC]

Barry