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

[c.rainford73]

Spectacular work Louis the details are absolutely perfect

[lmcq11]

Thanks Carl,

The M48 has been given 2 coats of Tamiya enamel primer and is ready for its coats of Vietnam Olive Green.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Close up view of the turret armor and lower hull casting effect.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Capture3.JPG (88.66 KiB) Viewed 3580 times

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

I started sorting through the 1/18 Vietnam US Infantry material available for the build up of the platoon riding on the tank, about 9 soldiers. Each soldier will have a unique pose, they will be modified to adapt to the tank and all the visible joints will be removed. This is a very pleasant and interested phase of the build. Adding infantry riders to the RC tank when on static display adds a lot of personal value to the model, a leftover from my 1/35 modelling days.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

These are the three tank crews and the available weaponry and equipment for the infantry platoon. I managed to round up three good M16, two M79, two M14 sniper rifles with scope, one M60 machine gun and a remington shotgun. There is enough ammo pouch, grenades and water canteen for everyone.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi, here is a Work In Progress update on the finishing of the M48

First, I would like to inform Vietnam era modellers of the availability of the MX 6707 US post war antenna base in 1/16 scale on Shapeways. This is really welcome. Anyone that tried to repro the curved spring (and likely fail) will appreciate this offering at a reasonable cost for 4 bases.

1:16 MX6707 Antenna bases

Representing a true Vietnam war tank in action requires it to go red with dirt, raked by trees and fenders lightly damaged. Seen here is a platoon of M48 going "jungle busting".

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The application of red dust is realistic but my view is that it does not really make the tank look good. It is difficult for me to envision that a model that I spend weeks building, counting the bolts and doing my best to be accurate, could end up looking like this.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Basic finishing material for Vietnam models. The Post WW2 US Olive Drab is well represented with the latest Mig Ammo offering. This paint is just fantastic. Its airspray ready, no need to dilute and no clogging. The Vietnam Earth pigment is basically similar to rust.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Here, the M48 is applied with basic coat of Vietnam era Olive Drab with a Khaki canvas cover. Do not use WW2 Olive drab for Vietnam tanks. Many modellers would stop here when not comfortable going into weathering experiments. I recommend trying to go further using some old junk model first, and go slowly with light pigment applications, in layer until desired effect is reached.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

In here, black pigments are applied to the lower areas. It gives the model some depth.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Seen here halfway through the finishing phase. Vietnam earth pigments were put on the wheels, suspension and lower hull in "careful" quantity, and in decreasing level as I went up. I am not at all happy with the results, its looking more like a rusted wreck than a tank in action, so I will have to see how I can improve it. The thing about models is that you can always spray it back Olive Drab and start again...

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Update in a few days.

Regards, Louis

[c.rainford73]

Spectacular That paint looks fantastic

[BarryC]

Hi, here is a Work In Progress update on the finishing of the M48

First, I would like to inform Vietnam era modellers of the availability of the MX 6707 US post was antenna base in 1/16 scale on Shapeways. This is really welcome. Anyone that tried to repro the curved spring (and likely fail) will appreciate this offering at a reasonable cost for 4 bases.

Regards, Louis

It is not easy and they are only "acceptable". I will do better next time, I may yet make new ones for the Abrams.



The Shapeways parts look good unfortunately the are not functional.

Barry

[lmcq11]

Hi,

1/18 M48A3 Vietnam weathering work in progress.

I had to go easy on the red stuff in order to keep the model in a color that i like. I did apply a bit of African dust pigments on the turret and upper hull so that the paint can get that used look, then the model was sprayed with pigment fixer. I am missing US Army decals for the fender bins, which are on order and will be applied when they arrive.

The Shapeways antenna base are looking good.

At this point, only the Xenon light interior need to be painted and a glass installed. Then the tank will be ready for final electronics, engine and tracks testing. I will then take it outside for more pictures and the red stuff should come out more than in my basement.

I named it Bulldog in honor of John Wayne (his code name) in The Green Berets.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

Louis,

You've got one fine looking Patton there.
It's all starting to come together and you've done another outstanding job!

Barry

[Max-U52]

I do believe I'm looking at the next TOTM winner.

[Von Mooflesaaa]

That looks stunning, hell of a job, well done my man.

[lmcq11]

Thank you !!

A short post for the finalization of the electronics.

Now, I was supposed to install a new Clark Leopard 1 TK40 ordered from eBay but it never arrived and I might have to file a Paypal claim. Very annoying but tired of waiting and i want to finish the model, I decided to install a TK60 that I had available. It is rich with the needed RC features, but the engine will sound like an WW2 Elefant. For sure, the Leopard 1 MTU MB 838 CaM 500, ten-cylinder, 37.4 liters, multi-fuel engine would have been closer to the Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12, air-cooled Twin-turbo, but I wont wait. Not sure I am actually able to notice the difference. Engine sound is not the highlight of the model.

There is a tremendous volume of cables to connect and configure with the TK60 and RC channels. Because I need the VRA and VRB knob for the cupola, I also had to reassign many items to available switches. So, there was a lot of trials and tests needed but I managed. Also had to add resistors to the Mato tail lights in order to be compatible with the other lights. The model RC features are;
- Gearbox
- Turret rotation
- Main gun servo elevation
- Main gun recoil servo
- Main gun flash
- Coax Mg flash
- Cupola servo rotation on VRA knob
- Cupola servo Mg elevation on VRB knob
- Cupola Mg flash
- Headlights
- Tail lights
- Xenon search light

I think that's it.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Turret interior

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

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Overview of the hull electronics. Removable trays were created for the gearbox, main electronics and the battery and they sit on top of the suspension without touching it. What you see are;

- Heng Long metal gearbox
- Clark TK60 control board
- Flysky FS-IS10B 10 channel receiver
- Small Heng Long speaker and manual volume control
- Zippy compact 1800 at the front with Heng Long switch

Now, all that cabling will be soldered, placed and the hull closed for the test runs.

1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build