Looks awesome

man, I can't wait for that one

It will look so good next to the Takom 279.

I've read a lot of posts diminishing the tank, due to a lack of mantlet cover. Let's keep in mind that it has not gone into production. Perhaps the mantlet cover is simply left out of this set of CAD renderings or has not been rendered, yet.

I think it was established earlier in this thread that not all 103's were seen with mantlet covers, I guess some of us missed that. Given Dragon's recent history with mantlet covers I doubt they will include one anyway.

Like Erik said, not all of the real M103s had it. It won't be long until the resin companies come out with one, anyway. I get the argument that for that price, it should have one included but to me, at least, it isn't a huge deal. I would prefer a resin one anyway, as I think they look better.

I agree with others that the lack of a mantlet cover isn't a deal breaker but if the vehicles are often seen without one and they are not going to supply one in the kit, why feature one on the box art?.....it's just like Tamiya and Dragon showing vehicle boxart with zimmerit when they don't actually have it on the model.

I have preordered mine hope it comes in soon, I have had the Chance in my younger days to crawl all over the M-103 at fort Knox I Believe it was in Radcliff and well over 100 plus trips to Patton Museum. I have always liked this vehicle and I remember In Germany coming across an old Photo that showed some M-103's there in Germany wish I could've gotten a copy of it. will be happy to add this one to my Shelf

Sascha(Ironowl)

I preordered mine from Hobby Link Japan...that and the MBT-70. I drove by that one in Radcliff countless times. I lived there from 68-72 then 6 months in 77 and numberous other visits. Never climbed on it though. They had the t29 in the middle of the traffic circle. Hope someone makes a kit of it as well

Again with the "no mantlet cover"!

Make one out of epoxy putty! It ain't hard, really.

You'll also get a better prodct than most kit equivalents _and_ you can position your gun tube in elevation exactly how you want it before you create the cover. Can't do that with the kit ones.

If they produced one in the kit we'd be complaining about how hard it is to clean up the seams, how the joints don't fit properly, how it really doesn't look like canvas, and how we really wanted to elevate the gun a tad more than in the kit.

I _don't want_ the kit makers to make the canvas covers. They _never_ look the part and they restrict how I can present my model.

Epoxy putty is your friend, embrace the putty!

Paul

Hello,

I agree to Paul. "Epoxy putty is your friend, embrace the putty!"

The cover of the M103 is quite simple to reproduce in contrast to the M-48 with his fold.

Best wishes

Please Guys, read the earlier pages; mantlet covers are not de rigeur on this vehicle - see the Tankograd coverage if you can get hold of it.

Mantlet covers are not that difficult with a bit of Milliput or similar. Just be happy we've got this tank in 1:35 plastic!

I know of two nice examples; one at Radcliff, KY vicinity 357 US 31W and the other at FT McClellan, AL.

Mine is in the mail from Hobby Link Japan. Hope to have it within the week.

So the tank has the mantlet but just not the canvas cover over the top? That doesn't bother me a bit!

I will defiantly be getting one just waiting for them to get released first. Was going to pre-order but want to see a review to make sure it is worth the $$ first.

its out

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/akyxzo4uzbiqmtdfshpb.html

I just ordered one

Mine will be here today or tomorrow. Bought mine from HLJ earlier this week- they are fast!

I finally have mine. Very nice- I'll get some pics up later. One hatch on turret is molded shut, although it looks pretty detailed and doesn't look bad. Definitely no mantlet cover, but not necessarily needed as discussed. One piece slide-molded barrel, so no need to worry about seam. Drive sprockets do not have lightening holes (same as M48 kit- this has 3 C roadwheel sprues from that kit.) Instructions come with a correction pertaining to step one (original shows wrong parts). I really like it so far

Wow ! You must of over nighted yours. Mine shipped 4 days ago so figure a week or so. FIne by me working on an M48a1 conversion at the moment. So it would just sit in the stash for a bit anyway

Hobbylink Japan is lightning fast. Plus the base price was a lot less than Hobbyeasy. Once you add shipping, it is about the same price as Hobbyeasy

I'm also one of those who likes features like movable hatches and elevating guns!

I just received mine yesterday from Sprue Brothers, They list it for $65.49 U.S Dollars.
In compareing it side by side with Dragons M48, the hulls look prety similar. The M103 is a little longer a d has extra road wheels. The track is the same type, just about an inch longer. The turret is really huge.
Donald