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

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:49 pm

Hi,

The M-48A3 Patton tank is assembled for its RC test run. Here is a YouTube Video i took of the tank in action. It runs smoothly, driving is soft and all the planned RC features are working surprisingly well. I am quite happy with the results. Now, I have an M-48 in my collection, a rare sight and happy to share.

https://youtu.be/495zCFrlwNM

And here are some pictures. The build is not finished yet. I need to create the crew and infantry riders, and will still finetune and retouch the tank itself a bit here and there.

: 1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

The tank is blasting all its weapons and lights. I was able to put the machine guns on their own switches so I can shoot both at the same time while I am running the tank, rotating the turret and operating the cupola independently. Cool

: 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

Max-U52 · Post by **Max-U52** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:22 am

OK, Louis, now I'm sure you're getting help from aliens. That's just beyond the scope of mere mortal human capability.

Just amazing.

And I'm pretty sure you can change the sounds on a TK60 and I bet for a guy like Rad that's a piece of cake and he could probably talk you through it in less time than it took me to type this, slow typist that I am.

You should build an MBT-70, with the rotating driver's compartment in the turret.

Ad Lav · Post by **Ad Lav** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:42 am

Amazing job Louis.

Almost expect every model you make to be a masterpiece now!

Can I ask where you found the stencil for the Bulldog nickname?

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:05 pm

Hi, some updates.

Here is a short close up video of the weapons test.

https://youtu.be/QEIOwDsTSp0

Ad Lav wrote:Can I ask where you found the stencil for the Bulldog nickname?

Hi, these are Archer transfers, very good. Pic below.

: 1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

And here is the tank crew. These are 21st Century 1/18 tank action figures, reworked. The long sideburns have been removed and once the arms, torso and legs were positioned, they were superglued in place, joints were removed and polished, and figure repainted.

: 1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

: 1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

: 1/18 RC M-48A3 Patton build

Next step, the infantry riders.

Regards, Louis

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 11:32 pm

Hi,

As this is a build, i wanted to show a "work in progress" post on the buildup of the American mechanized infantry in Vietnam so that you can see the technique if some modellers are interested in replicating.

Some of the 21st Century Ultimate Soldier Vietnam action figures are of very good quality. They have at least 20 moving joints which makes them perfect for creating infantry riders. Here is Charlie Sheen from the " Platoon" figure series.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

It is fairly easy to convert them into accurate static figures. Below is a step by step process.

Each figure need to be studied in order to determine the modifications required. Once a pose has been determined, the work can start. The torsos with the ammo bandolier should normally be kept for riflemen. Notice how the arms connect to the torso, this is something critical that needs to be fixed.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

For a sitting soldier, I recommend spreading the legs for a more realistic pose, using small plasticard pieces inserted inside the hips. Once the pose is determined, everything is superglued in place.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Sitting or standing soldiers on a tank need to press against the tank armor. In order to replicate this correctly, the Dremel is used to remove material that connect to the tank. Here, a flat bottom for a sitting position.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Standing position

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Arms are removed and about half the material of the shoulder is removed from the arms.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

The arms are then superglued to the torso in the required static position. Notice plasticard pieces to recreate the knees.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build; Capture4.JPG (93.02 KiB) Viewed 2850 times

All joints are sanded and filled with superglue and putty, sometimes using a plasticard part for the bigger gaps. The joints will need to be finetuned a few times to get to a nice skin, removing any unwanted marks, and then polished.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Continuing on following post

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 11:47 pm

Continuing the previous post.

The buildup continues, each figure takes about 1 hour to get through the process.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Here is the personal equipment of a rifleman in Vietnam. This M16 came with the tank crews purchased separately and is of a better quality than the M16 that come with the infantry figures. However, the quality of 1/18 scale weapons is nowhere near what is available in 1/16 scale, too large to use here.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

I am half way done with the infantry build up. You can see where this is going.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Black soldiers are difficult to find. I managed to get one, wish I had more. Showing a Vietnam war scene with only Caucasians is not realistic. With a serious look, he is armed with an M60 and will carry ammo belts around his torso, VCs better not mess with him.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Many of you will recognise the actor Tom Berenger on the left and Charlie Sheen on the right. For the helmet to fit correctly, the top of the figures head need to be shaved.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Overall view of the infantry building. I still have about 5 soldiers to create, including Willem Dafoe and Johnny Depp.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Regards, Louis

BarryC · Post by **BarryC** » Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:45 pm

That's a good looking squad you've got there Lt.!

Personally Louis I think that the M48 is still a little too clean but that's me.

Barry

Post by **Model Builder 4** » Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:42 am

The figures will surely finish this masterpiece off Louis, great step by step showing how this can be achieved

Cheers, Lee.

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 1:45 am

Thank you Barry and Lee

BarryC wrote:Personally Louis I think that the M48 is still a little too clean but that's me

I agree, i will be adding pigments and a few accessories after I am done with the figures.

The construction of the figures is done, sanded and polished, awaiting painting. There are 8 infantrymen and 3 tank crews.

I have decided to reuse the Ultimate Soldier heads as is, meaning no repainting. I could not paint the heads better than the 21st Century factory, they look quite good, specially the Platoon characters. So, the task will be to match the arms skin color with each head. The different skin color tones, tan and races will bring an interesting variety to the troop. This is something that cannot be done with WW2 subject due to segregation within all armies of the time.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Close ups

The Vietnam Tank crew torso with flak jacket was reused on 2 infantry. I got another M60 for the man on the right. I want a figure resembling "Animal Mother" (actor Adam Baldwin) from the movie Full Metal Jacket.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

I gave new unmodified Ultimate Soldier heads to the tank commander and loader. The loader is now an Asian from the Kamikaze pilot figure. The finish and style of the heads has to be consistent and harmonized with the rest of the troops.

: 1/18 US Infantry Vietnam for RC M48 build

Next phase, painting. It will be an interesting lot.

Louis

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:02 pm

Ok, the model is finished, weathering and crew. I did not put stowage. In large scale, it typically does not look very good so I prefer to see the model than rags or plastic looking stuff.

First, here is a final 20 picture walk-around photoshoot of the model without the crew and infantry riders.