I got two models done already, both Vietnam era. I've done the Tamiya M-48 Patton and the Tamiya PBR. I've got pics posted here...
http://community.webshots.com/user/bracomadar
I know I need to get more stowage on them and I know the Patton needs some sanding and fixing on some areas. I also need to add more mud to the treads on the tank, but is there anything else you see that could be done with these? Do you see any mistakes that I could fix? I've just started modeling full time now. I was a figure customizer for a long while, but decided to try my hand at something more challenging :-) Gimme your worst, I can hack it.

Brad, I think your models look terrific. Really!
I do not know too much about Vietnam era vehicles, so I can't offer too much in the correction department. Like you mentioned in your post, the tracks could use some dirtying.

That "Pibber" is jam up! I like the spilled beer. Nice touch.
Keep up the great work.

Brad...both of them look great...I think the only missing one is weathering.I use chalk pastels for this and makes it more realistic.congrats for the nice works

I think its amazing the levels that beginners are starting at now. Man....... my first attempts were crap in comparison. i think you have made a great job of these. I love some of the small details...... these are winners for me. the spilt bottle of beer looks great. Keep them coming and welcome to armorama!!

Looks great....much better than my first attempt....

I'll try and cover something that hasn't been mentioned yet. In your closeup on the figure of the M48 you can clearly see the seam lines on the arms and the legs. These seams should really be scrapped or sanded off before the figure is assembled. (easiest way i've found so far) Also the uniform seems much too uniform.. maybe you could try a wash to add shadows to it.

The .50 cal also seems to have a seam running on the top of it.

but all in all great job for your first models.

Brad I like PBR its well done. Lots of detail.
I don't see anything that I would 'fix' as far as correctness. I'm not an expert in either subject area though.

I mentioned before what I would do on the M48.

Great jobs.

Your work looks fine. SInce you are not displaying your M-48 in a dio or on an "environmental" base, I'd keep the mud to a minimum. IMHO, mud is too often overdone on tank kits and they wind up l;ooking like the last competitor in a mudbog competition. The Pibber has a whole lot of really nice touches and attention to detail, such as hanging the radio, rather than letting it just sit on a shelf.

Where you could fine tune your skills would be in cleaning up your attachment points (the two rectangulat boxes on the rear hull of the tank and the headlight guards.) Also, you should clean up the mold parting lines a bit more (the arm on the guy sitting in the turret, his .50 and the twin .50's on tne Pibber)/ On the other hand, you've done a masterful job seaming the main gun and the exhaust stack on the tank. (I'm working on this kit right now and I know what a bear the barrel can be. )

They both look great Brad, great work! I too love the hanging Radio.. also the tipped over beer.. good stuff!

I really liked the weathering job you did on the top of the 48. Looked like some footprints and smeared mud near the hatches.. if not , then you could add that I know we sure tromped a lot of mud on the turret top when I used to play with the big boys. I guess everybody else pointed out those little extras that are a pain in the ass but oh so necessary

Congatulations sir nice models

OK, I build almostonly Patton tanks... so I have lots experience messing them up.

1. First, I echo comments above... do not over-dirty the tank, but it should have dust and grime on it.

2. The mantlet should have a dust cover on it. Take a look at http://blackhorse.dartmouth.edu/dcompany/ for pictures.

3. Techniques: gun barrel seam lines may be eliminated by putting a little too much glue on and letting is "squish" out. Let it dry and hten sand it smooth.

I applaud you putting a figure on! Too many of us (I am guilty) do not do figures with our tanks and I think it adds a lot to them.

Good job on the tank, though, especially if it is you first one!!

Great models sir. Be Proud of yourself.

I have little to add but one item th ammo on the Ma duce it needs a bit of metalic the brass could use a bet of brass And the links that hold them to geater on pull the round into actionare a kind of metalic OD.
Still a very good go .

looks great not enough vietnam armor out there the late m-48 and early m-60 tanks were the ones i fell in love with as a kid. seams are always a gripe on models it just never goes away. they pop-up in the worst places. just take em one at a time and dont let them drive you crazy #:-) #:-) !!! im going to try to post my 48 on this forum its in the album now if you want to compare notes your tank is better oh yeah stowage after a few days in the field disicpline starts to slip and things tend to get put whereever they end up later TURRETTOAD 13 OUT.

i particularly like the PBR although perhaps a 1/35 Charlie Sheen might turn into into a show stopper......Jim #:-)

The tipped beer bottle is one of the nicest details I've seen in a long time... Like that yellow patch of snow below the tree in one of Shep Paines dios. Those details add so much to models. Well done..

Mario M.

Damn! those plants grow BIG in 'nam! #:-)

Those models look great. I like the weathering on the patton. Very effective and realistic in my opinion. As stated before, you could add more, but sometimes it's too easy to go overboard. So I'd suggest a little at a time.

The using of a good deal of plastic cement to make the barrel, then sanding smooth is a pretty good technique

Very nice work!