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M103A2 Heavy Tank

Part 2- Decking Out the Back Deck

As I stated in my intro, the power pack in the M103A1 was upgraded to create the M103A2. Fuel capacity increased, and therefore combat range also increased, much to the liking of tank crews, logistics staff, and the keepers of the Spartan funds of the USMC.

The back deck instantly took the look common to the M48A3 and M60 series. The parts provided in the kit are from the Dragon Model M48A3 Mod B kit and are very nicely detailed. I had considered replacing the multiple triangle shaped lift handles, but overall the detail is pretty good.

The back deck parts fit nicely with very little give or gaps requiring attention.

Further detailing will be done to the back deck with weld marks running along the seams. I used an additional application of Mr. Surfacer 500 to cover the seams created by adding the back deck components, but more sanding and filling will be required prior to attaching the fenders.

The one part that does have serious deficiencies is the rear engine access doors/grilles. The add-on armoured slats are incorrect, the hinge details are incorrect, the doors are lacking the lower edge cut-outs seen on the M103A2, and the handles are misplaced.

In looking at available aftermarket parts, I looked at the Legend Productions M60A1/A3 Detailing Set to correct the rear hull issues. Included in the set is a very nicely detailed rear door/grille resin part. The parts need cleanup and modifications to fit the Dragon Model hull, but it comes without hinges attached, photo etched parts to add super detail to the cooling fins, and great overall correct details on the resin part.

I completed the fitting of the Legend Productions M60A1/A3 resin engine grille doors. The fit was very good after removing excess resin and test fitting multiple times. Cut-outs on the lower sides of the resin part were required to make the door accurate for the M103A2 modifications.

The use of the resin engine doors permitted the unique hinges found on the M103A2 to be scratch built without having to remove the existing hinges as found on the Dragon Model part.

The hinges on the M103A2 extend out past the doors on angles. This was to allow the doors to be lifted and pivoted to clear the final drive assemblies. I used a combination of styrene and spare resin pieces to cut, sand, and shape to what I thought was an acceptable representation of the hinge assemblies. One of the excellent details provided in the Legend Productions M60A1/A3 detail set is a complete set of PE grilles for the engine doors. They really add another dimension to the look of the rear hull.

The final touch to the engine access doors was the relocation of the handles from the bottom where they are located on the M48/M60 series, to left and right of the bottom bolt detail as found on the M103A2. I chose not to touch the bolt detail on the square and circular access hatches on the rear hull. While the bolt detail is a bit small it is at least present and correct.