Complete M60A1 Feature
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FEATURE
Complete M60A1
wbill76
Joined: May 02, 2006
KitMaker: 5,425 posts
Armorama: 4,659 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 02:16 PM UTC
Don Franklin (gunnytank) takes us through his super-detailed build of a USMC M60A1. Don backdates the 1/35 ESCI M60A3 complete with scratch-built interior details and an AEF Designs engine and compartment.
Complete M60A1 Feature
If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
Complete M60A1 Feature
If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 02:27 PM UTC
What’s left to say except WOW
Erik67
Joined: July 31, 2005
KitMaker: 1,871 posts
Armorama: 1,423 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 02:36 AM UTC
I'm very, very impressed. The scratchbuilt interior looks great.
Erik
Erik
Charlie-66
#186
Joined: May 24, 2006
KitMaker: 771 posts
Armorama: 750 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 02:58 AM UTC
Don, I served on M60A1's in the early 1980's and it's great to see the "old girl" get some love. If you think about it, I belive the M60 series has largely been ignored by both the model companies, and most of the AM companies. You've done a great job! The only thing I see missing are the air restriction indicators and their guards on the air cleaner boxes. Great interior! 
TankSGT
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 04:01 AM UTC
I just want to slide in and hit the starter, great model. I know it was a labor of love. I put 2000 miles on my first M60A1. Currently working on an M60A3 I TCed in the NG.
Tom
Tom
gunnytank
Joined: February 24, 2006
KitMaker: 205 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 04:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Don, I served on M60A1's in the early 1980's and it's great to see the "old girl" get some love. If you think about it, I belive the M60 series has largely been ignored by both the model companies, and most of the AM companies. You've done a great job! The only thing I see missing are the air restriction indicators and their guards on the air cleaner boxes. Great interior!
Where those located on back outside of the air cleaners? Small rectangular shape cover for the indicator inside of it? If so I put a small piece of round plastic there to represent it, I know, I got lazy by that piont.
gunnytank
Joined: February 24, 2006
KitMaker: 205 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 05:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I just want to slide in and hit the starter, great model. I know it was a labor of love. I put 2000 miles on my first M60A1. Currently working on an M60A3 I TCed in the NG.
Tom
"Don't forget to turn on the fuel pumps." Building this tank brought back alot of memories. Yes it was a labor of love and even though I didn't put everything inside of it, like the TC's suicide seat above the radios, I still had flash backs when I looked at it. Are you going to do the insides to your M60A3? I was only on the M60A1's (being a Jarhead) but if I can help with anything let me know, and beware of the Traversing gear box. That thing is a lady to build.
Don
thathaway3
Joined: September 10, 2004
KitMaker: 1,610 posts
Armorama: 684 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 05:26 AM UTC
Absolutely spectacular!!! It's an amazing thing about this hobby that some of us (guilty as charged!) will spend so much time sweating details that most people will never see in the finished model. It's a big part of what makes this hobby so much fun! Thanks for taking the time to photograph all this and share it.
Well done!
Tom
Well done!
Tom
JimF
Joined: July 05, 2002
KitMaker: 717 posts
Armorama: 621 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 05:50 AM UTC
In a word: Excellent. 
Plasticat
Joined: September 03, 2003
KitMaker: 448 posts
Armorama: 245 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 07:01 AM UTC
Wow, talk about taking a trip in the way back machine! Definately a great effort and a real pleasure to look at!!
matthew9
Joined: April 04, 2005
KitMaker: 53 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 02:10 PM UTC
Simply excellent. Your interior is inspiring.
Charlie-66
#186
Joined: May 24, 2006
KitMaker: 771 posts
Armorama: 750 posts
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 03:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextDon, I served on M60A1's in the early 1980's and it's great to see the "old girl" get some love. If you think about it, I belive the M60 series has largely been ignored by both the model companies, and most of the AM companies. You've done a great job! The only thing I see missing are the air restriction indicators and their guards on the air cleaner boxes. Great interior!
Where those located on back outside of the air cleaners? Small rectangular shape cover for the indicator inside of it? If so I put a small piece of round plastic there to represent it, I know, I got lazy by that piont.
Yeah, they were on the back outside corner of the boxes. There was a threaded hole where the clear plastic air restriction indicator screwed in. The guard was a square piece of metal with rounded corners that went around it. It was crazy how fragile those darn things were.
Tankleader
Joined: April 29, 2003
KitMaker: 718 posts
Armorama: 684 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 12:09 AM UTC
Don,
Great build. Brought back lots of memories of 1st Tank Bn and 1st Tracked Vehicle Bn.
Tanks for the Memories.
Tanks
Andy
Great build. Brought back lots of memories of 1st Tank Bn and 1st Tracked Vehicle Bn.
Tanks for the Memories.
Tanks
Andy
TankSGT
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 08:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI just want to slide in and hit the starter, great model. I know it was a labor of love. I put 2000 miles on my first M60A1. Currently working on an M60A3 I TCed in the NG.
Tom
"Don't forget to turn on the fuel pumps." Building this tank brought back alot of memories. Yes it was a labor of love and even though I didn't put everything inside of it, like the TC's suicide seat above the radios, I still had flash backs when I looked at it. Are you going to do the insides to your M60A3? I was only on the M60A1's (being a Jarhead) but if I can help with anything let me know, and beware of the Traversing gear box. That thing is a lady to build.
Don
I'm not doing the interior not as brave as you are. But I am going to go all out on the exterior. I still have my TM. for the details, though its one with the drawings not the pictures. The trick is trying to pick out which details to add and which to pass on. Don't forget to check your blower motors. Luckily A3s did away with them.
I'm using an old Esci kit for myself while I'm building a Tamiya one on commission for a fellow TC. Should be interesting. I'll say it again you did a great job.
Tom
TankSGT
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 08:21 AM UTC
If you check my gallery there is a picture of my M60A3 and crew I'm on top.
But you can see the air filter and the restricted flow gauge. I had forgotten just how visible it was.
Tom
But you can see the air filter and the restricted flow gauge. I had forgotten just how visible it was.
Tom
gunnytank
Joined: February 24, 2006
KitMaker: 205 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 09:23 AM UTC
Andy,
When did you join the Marines and serve with 1st Tanks? Wondering if you know some of the people I know.
Don
When did you join the Marines and serve with 1st Tanks? Wondering if you know some of the people I know.
Don
Murdo
Joined: May 25, 2005
KitMaker: 2,218 posts
Armorama: 1,050 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 09:51 AM UTC
That's a cracking model mate. Absolutely cracking! 
gunnytank
Joined: February 24, 2006
KitMaker: 205 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 09:55 AM UTC
Tom,
NOT BRAVE, just wanted to always do it. My TM's are the Operators Manuals with the drawings also. With The ESCI kit that I had, I to cut open the Drivers hatch a make the sliding mechanism. Something I forgot in the article was the decals for the inside are from Fingerprint Designs(U.S. Internal stencilling 1940s/50s). They came with the instruments, data plates, sentcils for all the stowage, and a lot more. I still have a Tamiya M60A1 that I'm going to do with the reactive armor. So I've been thinking about Scratch building the cupola details again, but this time I'm going to make molds so that I don't have to keep doing it. As for those air cleaner details, you might want to add the rear hinges for the top door and replace the lifting eyes on the kit with wire.
Don
NOT BRAVE, just wanted to always do it. My TM's are the Operators Manuals with the drawings also. With The ESCI kit that I had, I to cut open the Drivers hatch a make the sliding mechanism. Something I forgot in the article was the decals for the inside are from Fingerprint Designs(U.S. Internal stencilling 1940s/50s). They came with the instruments, data plates, sentcils for all the stowage, and a lot more. I still have a Tamiya M60A1 that I'm going to do with the reactive armor. So I've been thinking about Scratch building the cupola details again, but this time I'm going to make molds so that I don't have to keep doing it. As for those air cleaner details, you might want to add the rear hinges for the top door and replace the lifting eyes on the kit with wire.
Don
761stTnkBN
Joined: September 01, 2007
KitMaker: 8 posts
Armorama: 7 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 10:53 AM UTC
An excellent build of a neglected killing machine near and dear to all tankers who knew her. Very well done!
Wish I could commission you to do the turret interior for me!
Tankleader
Joined: April 29, 2003
KitMaker: 718 posts
Armorama: 684 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 10:59 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Andy,
When did you join the Marines and serve with 1st Tanks? Wondering if you know some of the people I know.
Don
Don,
I joined in 84, spent 84-85 with 1st TV, Bn then 85-88 & 91-94, and 97-2000 with 1st Tanks.
Tanks
Andy
gunnytank
Joined: February 24, 2006
KitMaker: 205 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 12:09 PM UTC
Wayne,
Actually since I did this, I've been thinking about doing it again. Only this time I will make molds of the parts so I can make a Blade tank in MERDC two toned green, but no LED's in the turret this time.
Don
Actually since I did this, I've been thinking about doing it again. Only this time I will make molds of the parts so I can make a Blade tank in MERDC two toned green, but no LED's in the turret this time.
Don
gunnytank
Joined: February 24, 2006
KitMaker: 205 posts
Armorama: 200 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 12:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Don,
I joined in 84, spent 84-85 with 1st TV, Bn then 85-88 & 91-94, and 97-2000 with 1st Tanks.
Tanks
Andy
Andy,
I was with 1st Tanks in 81-84, but we served together at Stumps. I was with MCCES 97-01. Mike Mummy is a model freind of mine and Maj. Patch was my last CO at MCCES.
Don
Tankleader
Joined: April 29, 2003
KitMaker: 718 posts
Armorama: 684 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 01:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
Don,
I joined in 84, spent 84-85 with 1st TV, Bn then 85-88 & 91-94, and 97-2000 with 1st Tanks.
Tanks
Andy
Andy,
I was with 1st Tanks in 81-84, but we served together at Stumps. I was with MCCES 97-01. Mike Mummy is a model freind of mine and Maj. Patch was my last CO at MCCES.
Don
Small world. Mike is a really good friend of mine, he was tank leader and I was the Company Master Gunner and 1st and sometime HQ platoon sergeant. Phil Patch and I are friends as well, he works as a GS type on Quantico. Patch was the XO of 1st Tanks and then went to be XO of MCCES. I was with Mike at the Stumps when John Lewis, Mike and I started the IPMS chapter at the stumps. I left shortly after to start my tour at the Pentagon.
Tanks
Andy
761stTnkBN
Joined: September 01, 2007
KitMaker: 8 posts
Armorama: 7 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 01:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Wayne,
Actually since I did this, I've been thinking about doing it again. Only this time I will make molds of the parts so I can make a Blade tank in MERDC two toned green, but no LED's in the turret this time.
Don
Good idea. Those dozers were great for hasty hull-downs. Please drop me an e-mail if you would like to build another for hire, or perhaps sell interior components: [email protected]
You might use the molds to attract the attention of a manufacturer to mass-produce the interior parts as an after-market kit or a whole kit. You certainly deserve to prosper for your extraordinary effort. General Patton would have approved of your attention to detail!
I keep looking at an unbuilt Tamiya Centurion kit in 1/25th scale and wondering why I have not started to build it. Maybe it's because I am angry and disappointed that Tamiya couldn't do the same (or better) with an M-60 series tank. After all, both tanks were manufactured to meet a similar need, same time-frame, and had a storied history with the armor forces of many nations and many wars.
When I was a kid, I dreamed of riding high in the turret of a Pershing or Patton-series tank. When I made TC, I realized that it was because this series "looks like tanks are supposed to look."
Grumpyoldman
ConsigliereJoined: October 17, 2003
KitMaker: 15,338 posts
Armorama: 7,297 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 04:17 AM UTC
Certainly is a very nice and well build model.
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