This is my latest project for a customer. It is an IDF Magach 3 circa 1973. It is basically an M48A3 with a 105mm L7A2 (US M68) barrel. Here is the actual tank.




I started with the Tamiya M48A3 by taping off the motorization holes from the outside and filling the inside with a thin layer of casting resin. Once cured, remove the tape and sand smooth. It is a quick and easy way to deal with motorization holes.


Next, I lowered the roadweels by about 3mm since Tamiya's kit was based on a vehicle without an engine and it sits too high. I simply cut off the small pin portion of the bumper attached to each roadwheel arm. This allows the arm to move up about 3mm and the tank to sit properly.


Next, I cut off the kit barrel just past the slinky section on the dust cover and mated a Verlinden Israeli L7A2 barrel from their M48/M60 update set. I also removed the commander's cupola ring from the turret roof at this point in preparation for installing a Sherman early commander's cupola. I made the fabric cover around the mantlet out of A&B putty as well.


I added strips of 0.040 styrene stock to the lower turret half to raise the turret up about 1mm as well since it is a bit squashed in the kit. Once the basic construction of the turret and hull was complete, I gave them both a bit of cast texture. To do this, I wet sections of the plastic with liquid glue, then stippled the surface with an old paint brush. Another pass of the liquid glue toned it down and blends the texture to look like cast steel.


After the cast texture, I installed the Sherman cupola and a .30 cal MG mount on the turret roof.


I also added Archer Surface Details casting numbers and symbols to the turret and hull. I constructed a storage mount for the search light and modified the air cleaners to the larger opening Israeli type.


Lastly, I cut the mud release holes in the sprockets.


I also added bolts and smaller details here and there, along with a Tank/Infantry phone to the right rear fender.


Some overall pics.



Now its off to the paint booth and markings. It will also get a set of AFV Club's excellent T97E2 tracks on it.

As always, all comments welcome, so let me know what you think.

nice work Gino! I like your solution for the motorization holes...quick and painless. Ill have to store that for future projects.

Andy

Looks great! Really nice work. A few questions:

regarding the turret basket - does this come with the original kit ?

I really like the idea of using the glue for the cast appearance. What kind of glue did you use? How would you compare this approach to using a product like Mr. Surfacer 500 ?

Thanks, Joe

Thanks Andy and Joe.

The resin to fill the motorization holes is a trick I learned a few years ago. It works well.

The turret basket does come with the kit. I didn't add anything in that area.

For the cast texture, I use whatever liquid glue I have at the time. Currently, it's Ambroid Pro Weld. I find it easy to use. I haven't used Mr. Surface (haven't had a need to), but I imagine this way gives you a more random texture as opposed to a spray on method.

Thanks. I agree the glue approach will give a more random texture. I was thinking of trying it with liquid Mr. Surfacer and a brush application. I think I will do a comparative analysis at some point

The Magach 3 is done. I sprayed it with Krylon Khaki from a rattle can, then proceeded to weather it with a couple sandy acrylic colors, then drybrushed with some Model Master Armor Sand. I also drybrushed some steel on the tracks and drive sprockets. The stowage is various packs from the spares box and a couple Verlinden IDF ration boxes. I also secured the spare road wheels with center guide teeth. The markings are a combo of Verlinden dry-transfers (inverted triangle), spare wet-transfers (barrel bands), and home made wet-transfers (IDF registration #s).

Here she is.





Some close ups. The cast texture on the turret and hull came up nicely, as well as the casting marks.





More pics here.

I think it came out nicely and it was a fun conversion. Let me know what you think. As always, all comments welcomed.

I think it turned out great ! The casting texture is really a nice touch that I will have to try myself at some point.

Thanks Joe. I like how the cast texture came out as well. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works for you too.

nice build gino , nice conversion and i like your tracks ,, really look the part ,

Thanks Ian.

Nice model and one i would like to build one day.

The machinegun mount and cradle where did you get it from is it a Israeli type or?

Thanks for the compliments. The whole MG, cradle, pintle mount, and ammo box came from the AFV Club Centurion Sh'ot Kal '73 model. They are standard US pieces that were used by the IDF.

nice job! I like the method in which you replicated the texture on the turret. well done!

Thanks Matan, glad it meets the approval of someone who has seen these up close.