Hi folks,I finally finished this long abandoned project.

The model (started as the old Dragon M-50) represents a chilean vehicle as they looked in late 90´s. All mods were made from scratch. including the gun (60mm), new engine deck, new antenna protections, among others. Stowage are resin, scratch and kitbashed items.

Painted with Vallejo acrylics, decals home made and turret number hand painted. Weathering with drybrush, Mig Pigments and oils

Hope you like it and comments most welcome as usual

I



















Cheers

I see why you guys upgraded to the Leopard 2...
It looks good Klaus. Are the front MG missing?

Erik

Thanks Erik, the MG wan´t always carried, at least in the pics I have.

Neil, in fact they survived in active duty at least until 2003, when the last of them were retired at the arrival of the "new" Leopard 1V from the Netherlands

Cheers

Klaus, great looking tank. I've been trying to get one done for some time. Was thinking about the tank with the M51 hull and M50 turrent. Maybe some day get it done. Maybe...
Scott

Thanks Scott, I guess I have a cuople of rear pics of that configuration, let me know if you want them.

Cheers

Sure Klaus, if you want to send themI would be glad to see them.
Scott

Just shows how tough those old tanks were to last that long. Great looking build and an interesting subject

Thanks Mike

Cheers

Had no idea anyone was using these things up to so recently!
Thanks for sharing this with us Klaus, its always nice to see armour under different flags I think, as each country adds its own 'flavour' to the AFV.

Cheers,

James

Thanks James

Looks pretty good. Your Coke box is twice the size it should be though. Any idea why the Chilean Army went down to a 60mm gun as opposed to the 76mm high velocity gun they came with?

Thanks Gino, but this time the size of the Coke box its right, since it has 3 liter bottles, six per pack

As I was told, the Army choosed the 60mm gun because had roughly the same level of penetration using certain AP ammo that the 105mm gun used by the M51.

Besides the lower weight of the new weapon, and participation of local compañies and universities to adapt the gun to the turret. They discarded the original autoloader though, since the ammunition was lightweight, and gived the possibility to carry more rounds.

Cheers

The 60mm HVMS is a Israeli system that they offered for sale. They offered it on a M113 with a turrent. The 60mm was supposed to have better penetration than a 105mm. So, when the Israeli's offered an upgrade for the trusty sherman. The Chilean army jumped. the most interesting thing is that the Chilean army kept the 60mm armed shermans in service longer that the 105mm armed M51.
Scott