Here some sprue shots of the new AFV Club M60 A1 kit. [urlhttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.915094781858650.1073741927.482265601808239&type=1[/url]
I am sure that someone may complain about the rough casting texture.
I wonder how the turrets and hull of a modern tank getting cast?
Do they use steel moulds?
Any help is appreciated.
H.-H.

HH,
Casting of the large parts (turrets and hulls) was done using a sand mold, which would show the varying textures, from very smooth to rough, as well as shovel marks where the mold was corrected, if needed.

I seem to remember that Kurt Laughlin gave a pretty detailed description of the whole process several years ago.

John

I haven't been this excited for a kit in a long time

Hans,
I cant really tell for certain from the photos I've seen on line, but the casting does seem a little excessive. I say this from the real life experience of being a tank platoon leader in the 11th Cavalry in Bad Kissingen many years ago. In my experience there and at the Armor School in the late 70s, Every M60 I was on had a fairly smooth texture, not "sandy" at all, as the model photos seem to suggest. This will not prevent me from buying the kit, as with some simple sanding and strategic placement of either lacquer thinner or liquid cement, it can probably be corrected. But I'll reserve judgement until I see the plastic in person at my LHS. VR, Russ

I agree. Looks great. Thanks for sharing.

I understand the idea but I guess the saad must be somehow "hardened". I it obvious that one half of the mold is put in the ground, but how is the negative (inside of the turret) mold made? I have spend a lot time on and in an M60 A3 in MUNA Museum Marktbergl and must say that the texture of AFV Club is too rough. But like said, the kit is must have anyway.
H.-H.

Texture is too rough and I think too uniform, to remove it on the other hand is an easy task probably even easier than to add own texture.
Driver's station with detailed interior is a very nice touch and I'm looking forward to israeli variants based on this kit.

Cheers,
Greg

It does look good plenty of casting marks to even on those brackets. Looks like a good kit, Dunno about the accuracy though I'll leave that to the rivet counters!

Paul

It surely looks a lot better than anything else out there....