1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 Patton tank with ERA - Build

[lmcq11]

Hi everyone,

My latest build will be a US M-60A1 tank of the Gulf war period.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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The M60 is well known US tank of the cold war period and does not need much introduction. It never served in Vietnam and the USMC variant equipped with reactive armor is one of the interesting version to model.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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I am a big fan of US armor and when TONGDE announced their range of M-60 a few months ago, i knew i would probably build a few of them, no matter how much work is required to make them accurate and functional. The basic shapes of the M60 are there for a good inexpensive base for a rebuild. Height and dimensions look ok.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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At first sight, there are a number of structural and cosmetic items to take care of and the list of modifications is growing.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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The metal gun barrel with plastic cosmetic detail is definitely oversized. It seems that TONGDE has installed the 120mm barrel of an Abrams on the M60. Instead of having 3 separate barrel sections with a diameter of 9mm, 15mm and 11mm, the barrel sections are 11.5mm, 19mm and 13mm. More on this later.

The second striking issue are the setup of the raised headlights and guards, and the shape of the ERA blocks on the glacis.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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A regular M60A1 glacis and headlights should look like this.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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It did not take me long to understand that TONGDE modelled the glacis on the M-60A1 version with dozer blade as shown below. Although pretty accurate, the model however does not come with its dozer blade and mount... Very sad as it would have been cool. Maybe they wanted to provide it during the design phase but changed their mind.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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This will need correction as it really makes the model look weird or incomplete.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

These are the accessories coming with the M-60A1. Sadly, no spare track links. Most of the ERA blocks are provided. I did not check the accuracy or their dimensions yet but some are missing and will need to be crafted.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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The mount will need to be redesigned a bit, although a lot of it will be hidden by the ERA. There is no casting texture on the turret, something that will need to be applied.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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The plastic suspension arms are really weak. I wanted to see the situation before ordering the TONGDE metal upgrade kit, but its availability is limited and spare parts are still non existant, which is an issue at this time. The road wheels have rubber bands.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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The rear grill does not have the right number of blades, and the upper hull locking mechanism is weak and there is a gap at the back, needing correction.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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An oversized travel barrel lock and an inconveniently placed trap for the on/off switch are on the engine deck.

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Despite minor issues that can be corrected, anyone can see the potential of this M-60A1 base model. The price below US $200 is definitely attracting as a base for modifications, although the metal upgrade kit for the suspension and tracks will increase the price to around $350.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Interior view upon opening the hull. Things have moved a lot in transit. Someone somewhere before i got it plugged the charged battery on the electronics and left it there. That is a big and dangerous fire hazard in my view. I never leave batteries connected to electronics when not attended, and specially during transport where anything can happen.

The turret is equipped with a BB gun. I hate these things. It will be removed and replaced by a recoil system. I did some test and the model works well.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Close up of the control board. I do not know what it is. Not sure yet if i can reuse it with a recoil system or need to replace it.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Close up of the torsion bar suspension.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Checking out the suspension. The suspension arm has no stop. Meaning it is only controlled by the torsion bar.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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It is therefore the twisting of the torsion bar by the assembler at the factory that decides on the height of the model. You can see the bar was given a light twist. The height of the tank can be adjusted by twisting the torsion bar with a pair of plyers, in one direction or another. What is difficult is to make all of them the same.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Interior view of the plastic gearbox.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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The idler wheel has a plastic track adjuster.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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For this build, i will be helped by the Warmachine 5 book on the USMC M-60A1 by Sabot publications. It is mandatory for such build as it contains tons of wartime and action photos, a graphic section in color for painting for many vehicles and also a walk around section with close up and very clear pictures. Highly recommended and available at Sprues brother.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Also interesting to have for dimensions, placement and details is the Academy 1/35 kit of the USMC M-60A1.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Comparing the shape of the cast textured turret of the 1/35 kit with the TONGDE model. It looks like an M-60 turret...

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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Comparing the cupola, it will need a lot of improvements.

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Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

On the standard TONGDE model, the plastic suspension arms are really weak and are easily broken just by touching them. I did not expect this and when i manually activated the suspension on the model to see and test how strong the torsion bars were, i broke two of them. I was hearing a clicking sound inside the hull and i thought it was something else until i saw the arm losing all tension. With no availability for spare parts, i moved these broken arms to the middle of the vehicle. And while switching the arms, i broke another one, so i now have 3 broken suspension arms in 10 minutes... This is ridiculous. I will definitely need the metal upgrade kit if i want to make this model something else than a static shelf queen.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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I also noticed the gun elevation parts are quite weak and should be replaced with better ones.

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I mentioned earlier that the gun barrel coming with the model is too large in diameter and is more a 120mm gun than a 105mm. I check against references and also extrapolated 1/16 dimensions from the 1/35 kit. The gun barrel will be redone with aluminum tubing.

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This is it, the USMC M-60A1 build is starting.

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Regards, Louis

[MrChef]

Louis I look forward to your project. If it turns out even short of your Bradley it will be amazing.

I have read much about this model, from anticipation through to production to the sorta final offering that you have. I have very mixed feelings about this company's offering. There is an active post on HS relating to this tank covering a range of topics now that it has been shipped and received and being used.

Very good luck sir,

Chef

[tankme]

I'm looking forward to this build also. I bought the A3 metal version and I can say the parts are much better. The suspension arms are beefy, the tracks are substantial, the suspension uses bearings instead of bushings, and the metal gearboxes are much better. My A3 is waiting on the DKLM A2 Starship turret and detail kit to arrive. I installed a Clark TK80 with Leopard 2 soundset in it last night and ordered a new batch of speakers as I was out of 2.5" Visatons. Since they were sold out I'm going to give some Daytons a try. I asked Carson to use the older style metal upgrade kit on my A3 since it was going to be back dated to an A2.

Good luck with the build!

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I, too, am watching with great interest. Louis's (Imcq11) description of the plastic parts discourages me. That Derek (tankme) has found the upgrade better helps. I am going to see what TongDe is available, but without the metal, I am out. Derek, have you considered doing a "build," too?

[HERMAN BIX]

That control board looks like an H/L 6.1s
if you can take a pic of it without any wires in it I can check the socket layout and numbering against mine.

[tankme]

I, too, am watching with great interest. Louis's (Imcq11) description of the plastic parts discourages me. That Derek (tankme) has found the upgrade better helps. I am going to see what TongDe is available, but without the metal, I am out. Derek, have you considered doing a "build," too?

I will once the A2 stuff arrives. Just piddling around with it right now.

[lmcq11]

Louis I look forward to your project. If it turns out even short of your Bradley it will be amazing.

I have read much about this model, from anticipation through to production to the sorta final offering that you have. I have very mixed feelings about this company's offering. There is an active post on HS relating to this tank covering a range of topics now that it has been shipped and received and being used.

Very good luck sir,

Chef

Thanks, the plan is to make it an accurate scale model for display in addition to a nice runner. I want this to be a cheaper build at about US $400 as i cannot spend 2K on every build like i did for the Bradley.

I'm looking forward to this build also. I bought the A3 metal version and I can say the parts are much better. The suspension arms are beefy, the tracks are substantial, the suspension uses bearings instead of bushings, and the metal gearboxes are much better. My A3 is waiting on the DKLM A2 Starship turret and detail kit to arrive. I installed a Clark TK80 with Leopard 2 soundset in it last night and ordered a new batch of speakers as I was out of 2.5" Visatons. Since they were sold out I'm going to give some Daytons a try. I asked Carson to use the older style metal upgrade kit on my A3 since it was going to be back dated to an A2.

Good luck with the build!

I noticed the A3 looks good with more accurate headlights, and the metal conversion kit is definitely a must. I will surely build one at one point. I like your plan to convert to an A2. I have seen the conversion kit as well.

I, too, am watching with great interest. Louis's (Imcq11) description of the plastic parts discourages me. That Derek (tankme) has found the upgrade better helps. I am going to see what TongDe is available, but without the metal, I am out. Derek, have you considered doing a "build," too?

Thanks. Yeah, everyone should forget about getting the plastic standard version of this model unless you are building a static model or just want to play 5 minutes on the table without any mods. The metal suspension arms are a must if you manipulate the model in any way. Compress a suspension a little and the arm breaks...

TONGDE M60 upgrade kit sells for $135 at DKLM but shipping is very expensive. I'll have to wait for the upgrade kit to be available in North America before i can purchase it at a resonable cost. I paid $26 of shipping for the tank so it was worth waiting a couple of months.

1/16 RC USMC M-60A1 US tank with ERA - Build

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That control board looks like an H/L 6.1s
if you can take a pic of it without any wires in it I can check the socket layout and numbering against mine.

Here it is. Can someone help me ?

I am trying to use the servo recoil CH1 port but it does not work. When pressing the B+A button, there is a shooting sound, there is a flash but the recoil servo is dead. The only configuration step documented for the shooting is the T+B button. It deactivates the BB unit but it does not activate the servo recoil port. I think i tried everything. The CH2 for servo elevation does work. I also have purchased the TONGDE Centurion Mk5 (an upcoming project after the M60) and it is the same situation with the same board, so it does not seems to be a malfunction. There must be something i need to do.

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thank you,

Louis