OK, guys and gals, I've been reading with interest the meandering discussion down History way about the M60A2 and other variants of that family. So, never having been a real tanker and served with those machines I pose the question: How do you build the best possible M60A1? A3? I'm really not familiar with the current crop of kits, nor with aftermarket suppliers for these tanks. Been too busy with Shermans, don'tchaknow. Some of you must have built up a couple of these, what kits/goodies/whatever do you recommend?
Greg :-)

The best possible M60A1 RISE/Passive can be built using the Esci (also boxed by AMT and now Italeri) M60A1, M60A3 or M60 Blazer straight out of box. For an early tracked vehicle, use AFV Club's AF3505 M60 & M48 track set. I would suggest replacing the gun tube with an aluminum one and maybe some PE to replicate some of the finer details. The Verlinden M60/48 detail set is still a good bargin.

For an M60A3, use the Esci/AMT M60A3 almost straight OOB. The armored door on the laser range finder blister can be swiped from the Tamiya M60A3 kit along with the better looking cross wind sensor. Again, an aluminum barrel can add some better detail than the kit barrel.

IMHO, a decent an M60A1 or M60A3 can be had with the Tamiya kit (either the M60A3 105mm Gun or the US Marine M60A1 w/Reactive Armor). The hull sits a little high, but the road wheel arms can be rotated to correct this.

Greg--I found the Tamiyz A3 OTB a very nice kit to build. It was accurate enough and required few alterations.
DJ

I am in the process of building the entire family, starting with the M46 Pershing and I echo the above comments. The kits are, for the most part great. Stay away from the Trumpeter M60A1 kit. Academy makes a couple worth looking at too, especially the blade tank and the mine roller tank.

I just finished the M728 AEV version using the Academy dozer kit for the chassis and now recommend the Verlinden M-9 dozer kit, as it is more complete, though the work to correc the Academy dozer is minor.

AEF Designs makes a bunch of conversions, all of which require a lot of work, but are the only games in town. I am now building the M48A5K (Korean version) andhave the H (Taiwan) version as well. You may also note that the M88 and the Sgt York were both based on the M48.

If you need any pictures or references I have loads and there is a lot of information online.

I've just jumped into the Academy Rise/Passive version of the M60 and have found it to be a great kit so far. The level of detail is impressive and the vehicle comes with a bucket load of stowage and other accessories, not to mention rubber road wheels. IMHO, not having to paint the road wheels is worth the price of admission alone!!!