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

[lmcq11]

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

Capture18.JPG (99.35 KiB) Viewed 1844 times

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

Capture20.JPG (51.77 KiB) Viewed 1844 times

[lmcq11]

And now, the exterior photoshoot with the crew and infantry riders. The driver was not to my liking so I removed it for now. I also added another figure, an RTO at the back.

The concept for the 1/18 RC Vietnam diorama is an M48 going Jungle Busting with an accompanying infantry platoon. The danger of an ambush, a bunker, an IED or anti-tank mine is constant. Men have their weapons ready and are on the lookout for VCs that might jump out of a hole to attack them from any direction.

Experienced soldier know to avoid sitting on the front fenders because this is where mines will hit first. I kept that in mind for the positioning of the figures.

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

[lmcq11]

Don't mess with Sgt Barnes.

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

Notice new RTO figure with scratch build AN/PRC-25 radio.

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

[lmcq11]

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

This is it. The build is finished. Thank you very much for your encouragements. Hope you enjoyed the build.

Now, I have what I think is a good looking M48 in my collection for less than $500 total cost. To keep cost down on the purchase of the Ultimate Soldier M48 tank and figures, I suggest buying used ones whenever possible.

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

Fantastic finish to an awesome build Louis.

Once again you've left us in the "dust", no pun intended!

Barry

[lmcq11]

Thank you Barry,

And a short post build update.

Finally received the "US Army" decals from China which were added to both side fender stowage boxes as seen in references.

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

It was so pleasant converting my old static Ultimate Soldier M48 into an interesting RC M48 that I already purchased another used static 1/18 M48 on ebay for about 65$. This will become an IDF Magach 3 with 105mm gun and Blazer reactive armor, but that is a story for another year.

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

Before the M48 joins the rest of the team on the shelf, let's have a Vietnam armour meet.

With 1/16 M-113A1 ACAV

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

With ARVN M-41

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

Vietnam war RC line up with Ludwig V-100 Commando, Ludwig M113 ACAV, Ultimate Soldier M48 and Heng Long M41, all highly modified and the builds can be seen in this section. The M48 is an important addition to the Vietnam line up. Although 1/18 instead of 1/16, its big and fits well with the others.

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

Next to a Hooben North Vietnamese Army T-55

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale

And joining the collection "medium tank" shelves

RC M-48A3 Patton tank 1/18 scale