Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 12:53 PM UTC
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yay! Dragon is airmailing me a replacement fender! Even better, they sent me a tracking number 21 minutes after they first told me they'd replace it. Very impressive
Wow, that is impressive customer service! I wonder do they send out that part or the sprew that contains it. I wouldn't want that job of removing all the requested parts from 1000s of random kits 
Hopefully I'll know real soon!
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 02:52 PM UTC
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Hi John,
That's the very one I sent him photos of. It's a beast, isn't it? (I thought it's an A2 though)
I also have the ones at Ft. Lewis and Camp Shelby.
Rob,
It is indeed a M103A1. Unfortunately, the suspension has collapsed some over the years. I have some shots of it but need to get more, focusing on the details. The 45th ID Museum does possess a nice collection of Cold War Armor,
John
John Charvat
"Hey baby, I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes them work" Oddball
Join AMPS: https://www.amps-armor.org/SiteMain/Main.aspx
#417
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
Armorama: 2,539 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 02:13 PM UTC
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Paul,
If you would like more shots of the first M103A1, it is in Oklahoma City at the 45th ID Museum, where we do our AMPS meetings... I guess that I could take a couple more pics for you, if you would like and bring them to AMPS in April...
John
Well, I'd love more pics of the 103A1, buddy, but I'm afraid I won't be at the show this year. I have another convention the same weekend and seeing as I'm co-chair of that one, I can't really not go.
Paul Roberts
Past Editor, Boresight
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
#417
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
Armorama: 2,539 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 02:15 PM UTC
And for those looking to replicate the surface texture, here are some photos of a 103A2 that has faded to a light colour allowing you to see not only the sight bulge, but also the ground off pour plug under the nose of the hull.
Nice shots of some details.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/thread/1392516580/M103+at+Anniston%2C+AL%2C+VFWPaul
Paul Roberts
Past Editor, Boresight
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
#417
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
Armorama: 2,539 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 04:40 AM UTC
BTW, for those looking for US Heavy Tank reference info, there is a copy of Hunnicutt's Firepower available in the UK at Blackwell's bookshop for $65
Do a search for Hunnicutt and Firepower on Bookfinder.com. I have bought from Blackwell's from Canada before and they are a good e-shop. Shipped quickly and inexpensively.
The other ones available area all in the $200+ range, so don't miss it if you want this Hunnicutt.
Paul
Paul Roberts
Past Editor, Boresight
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 05:28 AM UTC
Thanks for that- great pics. Dragon's texture is more subtle than that. Now I am wondering if they missed some casting numbers as well
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 05:46 AM UTC
My guess would be yes, they missed quite a few.
The two areas on the turret top are too obvious (I hope) to miss.
The ones I'd like to see are:
On top of and underneath the mantlet collar
Range finding blisters
Almost ALL of the suspension components
Cast antenna housing
Air filter intake castings
Side of louvered panels on the rear hull
Top engine louver covers
Co-ax MG housing
Since you have the kit, does if have any of those?
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 05:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
My guess would be yes, they missed quite a few.
The two areas on the turret top are too obvious (I hope) to miss.
The ones I'd like to see are:
On top of and underneath the mantlet collar
Range finding blisters
Almost ALL of the suspension components
Cast antenna housing
Air filter intake castings
Side of louvered panels on the rear hull
Top engine louver covers
Co-ax MG housing
Since you have the kit, does if have any of those?
I'll check when I get home from work and let you know
Ontario, Canada
Joined: December 28, 2007
KitMaker: 47 posts
Armorama: 44 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 06:16 AM UTC
Just got mine. No warps that I can see but there is a small missing piece of the right rear fender. Small triangle of plastic missing from the bottom of the fender. I can correct it with some sheet plastic and sanding, no big problem with that, or some fender damage. What really shocked me was the mount of flash on the tracks. Huge and will be tedious to get off. Has anyone else seen this?If not I will contact Dragon or look at aftermarket tracks.
Dave
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 06:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Just got mine. No warps that I can see but there is a small missing piece of the right rear fender. Small triangle of plastic missing from the bottom of the fender. I can correct it with some sheet plastic and sanding, no big problem with that, or some fender damage. What really shocked me was the mount of flash on the tracks. Huge and will be tedious to get off. Has anyone else seen this?If not I will contact Dragon or look at aftermarket tracks.
Dave
My tracks did not have any flash at all. By missing piece on the fender, do you mean Dragon just didn't add it or it was actually missing from your kit? I am not sure I know what piece you mean
Ontario, Canada
Joined: December 28, 2007
KitMaker: 47 posts
Armorama: 44 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 06:49 AM UTC
Jason
It is a missing from the mould process. I have pictures but cannot figure out how to get them from my iPad to this site. Will keep trying
Cheers
Dave
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 07:27 AM UTC
got your PM. I'll post your pics as soon as I get them
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 12:31 PM UTC
Sadly there isn't ANY cast marks ANYWHERE. Not even the obvious one on the top of the turret. Guess I will be piecing together what I can from pics and the Archer generic set.
Dave- check your PMs for my email address
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 01:02 PM UTC
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 01:19 PM UTC
Detail is OK. The lifting handles are just basic trapezoids. No hinges. stowage box handles are just bumps. The antenna on the rear of the turret is too close to the ventilator. The stowage basket mounts too close to the bottom of the turret as do the side handles on the turret. casting texture is OK...a bit uniform and understated but not to bad. Hatch springs on loader hatch are simplified and could use replacing with actual springs or coiled wire. Engine deck grills are simple looking (similar in molding to dragons old M46 deck) Turret range blisters seem a little simplified. There is a rectangular plate on the turret in front of the TC hatch. It has the scalloped edges but lacks the bolts that should be there. In summary, to me it seems like a base model car at loaded car prices.
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 01:26 PM UTC
in other words, it needs a Voyager PE set (I say Voyager because they usually give you stuff in addition to PE, such as springs, antennas, etc.) and an Archer Casting Symbols sheet to make a nice detailed build.
Indiana, United States
Joined: March 12, 2013
KitMaker: 170 posts
Armorama: 141 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 01:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
BTW, for those looking for US Heavy Tank reference info, there is a copy of Hunnicutt's Firepower available in the UK at Blackwell's bookshop for $65
Do a search for Hunnicutt and Firepower on Bookfinder.com. I have bought from Blackwell's from Canada before and they are a good e-shop. Shipped quickly and inexpensively.
The other ones available area all in the $200+ range, so don't miss it if you want this Hunnicutt.
Paul
I also made a PDF of the manual with all the illustrations extracted from it. You can purchase it for $2.00 here:
https://apps.facebook.com/selzapp/item/52e44dc6a1416c15184fddebMichael Kalbfleisch
HDS
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:06 PM UTC
Oh cool, thanks!
The more I look at the turret, the more I notice various things are in the wrong place or are not shaped right. The area in front of the loaders periscope should slope more gradually and should be a little bigger. The little dome to the left of the TC hatch is too small and in the wrong area. I am going to post a pic in a minute
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:24 PM UTC
Quoted Text
and an Archer Casting Symbols sheet to make a nice detailed build.
The wheels are in motion...
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:28 PM UTC
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:29 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
and an Archer Casting Symbols sheet to make a nice detailed build.
The wheels are in motion...
Nice. I was just going to send them a suggestion email
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:31 PM UTC
well, that text came out much smaller than it looked when I did it...sorry
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:32 PM UTC
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 02:50 PM UTC
Dave Goddard's pics
I'll let him explain
Cadiz, Spain / España
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 225 posts
Armorama: 206 posts
Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014 - 09:59 PM UTC
Hey guys,
I've been following this thread with interest, as my kit is on the way from HK. Jason, thanks for the picture with corrections, and Robert, thanks for the presumably upcoming detail set
Cheers,
Olaf
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller
