A quick question, did the German Army use the M48A3 version, as in the Tamiya kit, at all, or just the earlier Petrol engined Version. And what would I have to add /change on the A3 to make it a German version? Smoke candles etc..

Cheers
Henk

IIRC the Bundeswehr used the A2, which started off looking like this



before having smoke mortars added, new cupola and other things. Some (at least) ended up with the IDF.

David

Thanks David,

So is the A2 externally the same as the A3? I.e. is it just the engine (and possible internal) that is different?

I had a google search, but I can't quite work out if the A3 can be used as an A2... I just like to do a different finish from all the Vietnam / American ones as depicted with the kit Decals. And as I have a ton of (Federal) German markings, I like doing one of those. Preferably without lots of scratchbuilding... .

Cheers
Henk

Haa, I just noticed that the air cleaners are different..

Which would be obvious, what with the new engine and all..

Comparing the A2 photo with an M48A3 in the gallery (Jacques' one has a view from a similar angle) shows some pretty substantial differences in the area of the air filters, not to mention the A2 only having 3 return rollers.....

Panzerbaer.de indicates the Bundeswehr also got some A1s, which are even more different in the engine area.

David

Thanks David,

oh well, American markings it is then for this time..

There's always the Legends conversion

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/news/1587

either that or the 50-odd year old Monogram A2 for some Frankensteining.....

David

The Germans used the M48A2C, which lacked the track tension wheel suspended between the drive sprocket and the rearmost road wheel on the earlier M48A2.
The M48A3 had a huge air filter box added to each fender aft of the turret ring like the later M60. Since it was based on rebuilt M48A1's, the A3 also had older features, like five return rollers instead of three, and the round headlight guards.
The M48A2 had the same headlights and guards as the M60. Monogram's M48A2 Patton kit has the correct engine deck arrangement and the correct hatch for the commander's cupola, if you want to graft those parts onto a Tamiya kit (the Monogram item has been rereleased by Revell Germany). You'll need an aftermarket headlight set, unless you have a trashed M60A1 or M48A5 kit sitting around, because the Monogram lights are pretty awful.

Its a pity they just didnt keep using there tanks.
Imgine what the panther and tiger would of turned into after the war.

Leopards of course...

David

There's also Legend's M48A2GA2 conversion, of course, but then, you know that!

Is it just my imagination or is the upper hull on that conversion a millimetre or two too short?

seán

lol thats not what i ment.
I was thinking along the lines of turret modifications on the panther to accomidate a biger gun or more advanced armour protection.

It's not just the air cleaners that are different. If you look close at the engine deck, the intake grills are compleatly different. There are good pictures and drawings in the " M48 Patton In Action" book.

OF COURSE THE GERMANS USED M48's!! Didn't you see the movie Patton!!???

Thank you, I nearly gave up and finished my M48 in Olive Drab, but you have confirmed that I can paint it in Panzergrau and stick some crosses on it. I knew I had seen it somewhere...

Seriously though, without major modifications this one is not going to be anything other than an American M48, so that's what it is.

Thanks everybody for your responses, they are much appreciated.

Panzergrau, now where did I put that bottle....

Cheers
Henk