Hi All,
I've been bitten by the "BIG" bug. I've just started Commander's M103A2 heavy tank. Anyone out there interested in the life and times of the construction of one of these monsters?
Regards,
Georg

Sounds interesting. It's a great subject.

Absolutely! I doubt if I'd ever build one myself but I would sure have fun watching someone build one!

I'm very interested. I have slso been bitten by that bug built the AA Conqueror and have been waiting 2+ years for their M103A2. I like AA and wanted their kit. Good luck.

Tom

Take a look at this and decide for yourself.

Georg,

Ted Paris' master-maker took some serious shortcuts with that kit. The suspension units are copied directly out of the Tamiya Patton and are both too small and really poorly detailed compared to the real thing. The turret shape is off as well. The last set I saw of the aircleaners & fenders were also inaccurate. This is just as an FYI. Once it's built, an M103A2 is pretty d*mned impressive.

Paul

Paul,
Yes, I realize that the Commander's kit is not the best. But, what else is out there? I'm actually using 2 Tamiya M48 kits for the suspension and some fender stowage. There will also be parts from the Italeri M47 (mainly fine details that the Tamiya kit doesn't have). USMC M103A2's used the same air cleaners as the M48A3's so doing some cross-kitting should at least cover the nastier detail parts. As to the dimensional errors, it LOOKS like the M103, so I'm disinclined to bother trying to fix 3/4 of a pound of burnin' resin love.
Regards,
Georg

PS- so do you want to see this build log, or not?

Abso-freakin'-lutely.

As to alternatives, well, out there in resin masterland is a lonely M103A2 master that I originally sold to Fort Duquesne in the early 1990's. Unfortunately he went bust and my master was sold to someone who bought all of Jim's business. I have no idea where it went, but is was a complete kit. All I have left is the hull, turret, main gun barrel and a single bogey of the suspension. One day (yeah right) I'll turn it back into an M103. Having done all the work once, I am loath to do it again, still, the rewards would be substantial for she's a big beast.

Paul

Paul, I believe the person who bought all of Fort Duquesnes stuff was John's Models out of Pensacola, FL. Don't know what John ever did with it. I've never seen it on his tables as he does lots of shows in Florida.