http://groups.msn.com/armorama/m75.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=13120

Not my first kit, but the first attempt at getting feedback from ya'll. This is a marriage of the Academy M60 with M-9 Blade, combined with the AEF M728 CEV turret conversion. Of course, there was a lot of hand work as well.

I attempted to use the 4 color MERDC scheme, as several of you helped with references, but trying to airbrush the patterns over the boom assembly and blade made me re-consider the desert scheme as well,,,,,,

The boom cables and tow cables were made from candle wicking material from a crafts store, where it is sold in six foot lenghs. It has a wire core which was indispensible for holding the various curves of the stowed cable.

I look forward to sharing more of the completed work, now that I have this hosting thing figured out!

Jim Peterson

EDIT: I made your photo link "active" M75 ~ Gunnie

M75,
nice build there! How did the AEF conversion fit together?
Andreas

Nice work M75 - I've wanted to do one of those for a while now. I like yours...

Gunnie

Nice beast M75! Not an expert on that vehichle but as far as i can see the final result has a very good "equilibrium"...
Keep on going like this
Ciao

Excellent work. Are these vehicles still in service?

All,
Thanks for the positive feedback.

Gunnie, thanks for activating the link! What the experienced members take for granted, the newbies might be REALLY ignorant of,,,,case in point,,,,,

Andreas, as regards the fit of the AEF conversion; it was really a good fit between the turret bottom of the Academy kit and the upper resin conversion. Everything else attaches to the upper half, except for the main gun, which covers both upper and lower.

The quality of the resin pieces was "iffy", that is, not so well done. The AEF small parts were incompletely cast, which meant I either had to "finish" the supplied pieces, or use them as general guides for scratchbuilding new ones. I ended up doing both for this kit.

The most significant part is the one-piece boom. This was warped and again, incompletely cast, but the size of it made it impractical to scratchbuild. I made the repairs and straightened out the parts as well as possible. That also directed me to show the boom in the stowed position, as I could glue the boom arms to their stowage arms to help keep them straight.

As I get a little more confidenc with the camera, I'll snap some in-progress photos of my Accurate Armour M114, since that latest thread has got me itching to finish it! Stay tuned, armor lovers!

Jim

I am planning a build of major variants of an M-60. Is this the only conversion set availalbe? Is it still available? If so, who has it in stock and does it cost an arm and a leg? Is Academy considering doing this as a kit? HOw 'bout that for 20 questions. All in all, You have my hat off to you for a great looking kit.

[I am planning a build of major variants of an M-60. Is this the only conversion set availalbe? Is it still available? If so, who has it in stock and does it cost an arm and a leg? Is Academy considering doing this as a kit?

Blaster, as far as I know, this is the only conversion for the CEV. Any of the larger on-line shops should be able to order it for you. AEF also has their web site, which is where I purchased this one. It wasn't real cheap, but hey! it's resin and that doesn't come sheap in any form that I've found.

A piece of advice is that if you plan the CEV, then grab the academy M60 with M9 blade as soon as you can. The AEF turret top appears to be mastered on an Academy kit, and the resin top and plastic lower actually fit together well, using a copius amount of CA! The casting effect on the upper is very rough; I had to tone it down to match the rest of the kit, using sanding sticks.

Jim

hey blaster
if you really want the kit let me know..i have one here i'm only going to use for referance...my scratch building skills are much better than their kit...Ray

excellent work!!
regards

Looks great, M75. This is a neat vehicle and we all saw it in action at Waco. Your assesment of AEF corresponds to my experience with them. Now we've got to challenge you do do that MERDC pattern. #:-)
I did a 1/72 scartch conversin on an ESCI M60 a few years ago, it was a fun.
As far as availability, Blaster, I think I saw one on the table of Michgan Discount Hobby at Noreastcon last this May for a reasonable price.

Well lucky me. I alerady have the corret academy kit and Darkstar has the conversion kit that we're going to negotiate on. So if all goes well, I'l be screaming for Rob or one of you other guys to get me reference pics. Oh, my first resin project, the M123 tractor kit is going considerably easier than I anticipated. Have progressed as far as motor, transmission and front axle installed on frame as well as front clip and cab.

Blaster, good luck with the conversion. I used a source for the reference phptps that has re-located, as I've heard recently. AFV Interiors/Kit Hobbyist was the site, but it's no longer working. I believe it has resurrected in another form,,, maybe someone can help with the current link. Try a serach of Armorama for "KitHobbyist" as well.

I completed the TW M123 tractor early last year, but as you know, with no trailer, the best I can hope for is using a tow bar to pull a less-than-functional M113 or similar vehicle. The hardest part was lining up the four dual wheel assemblies on the rear axles. Mine didn't all run parallel, and I have to position the model on a surface to help disguise that. Oh well. Good looking kit.

Check back issues of MMiR for an article on making the lit. I used it as a primary reference, as the TW instructions weren't as clear as they might have been. For around 100.00 dollars, I expected a little more in that department!

Jim

Made an M728 myself from scratch way before the Academy M-60 w/ dozer blade came out. I used an article out of Finescale Modeler from around mid-97-98, (can't remember which one). The article had full 1/35th plans and drawings on all add on pieces. The boom was actually not that difficult to make. I used all plastic tubing and sheet to complete the turret and the old resin Verlinden dozer blade kit. Here is a poor (sorry) photo of it.

Hey M75. I picked up the old Peerless Max version of the dragon wagon fairly cheap for an old classic kit. While the tractor is a disaster, the trailer from what I understand is fairly correct, main thing was wheel replacement. I got a set of the tank workshop dragon wagon wheels, but a master craaftsman such as you can probably cast your own from the M123 spare or we can work out a simple parts trade for the left overs I have

Blaster, interesting idea, and thanks for the compliment. I'll re-read the proposal again later at home, try to see if this can work.

Jim