I added the antennas that I had previously constructed. With the two antenna mounts and antennas added the turret build is complete. I really like the details on the Voyager Model metal antenna springs and brass antenna mount.

With only the Bronco tracks to build hull and turret painting can begin very soon.





The size of the tank really becomes obvious with the majority of the build complete. This was truly a tank designed to give the USMC a major punch during a variety of mission.





One of the advantages of the M103A2 was the common powerpack with the M48A3 and M60. Along with the extra power and operating range the M103A2 could also be fitted with the snorkel kit. I have considered adding a snorkel tube and cable supports but this will require removing the engine cooling fins where the snorkel mount attaches.

Thoughts?

Jason,

Your work is fun to watch. Can't wait till you paint it.

That tank looks like all turret!

[quote I have considered adding a snorkel tube and cable supports but this will require removing the engine cooling fins where the snorkel mount attaches.

Thoughts?

[/quote]

It would cetainly be different. I can't recall seeing a model of a non-Soviet tank with snorkel gear attached in ages. Go for it. Those fins should popo right off!

Know anyone that might have the unused snorkel parts from the AFV Club M60A1 kit?

-Part C3 (snorkel half)
-Part C34 (snorkel half)
-Part C89 (mounting base)
-Part K1 (right snorkel support rod)
-Part K2 (left snorkel support rod)

Hey Jason, I don't think I'll be using the parts in the kit I have now. Do you need them before the show?

Jim

Thanks a ton Jim!

I won't need the parts before the show. I'll probably have it there as a WIP.

Stunning build! Odd question though, I like the way you make your photo's. Can you give me an example of how you take your photographs? Do you use a photo booth or something?

Thanks in advance!

Hilbert

Hi Jason, even tho I've been following since the start, this is my first post here. You have done an outstanding job here! Turning a pigs ear into a silk purse so to speak. Can't wait to see paint on this beast. If possible could you post a close up pic of the engine door hinges you scratched? Again, great work so far!

Mike

Hi Hilbert!

Thanks very much for your compliments. I think you have asked a great question. I really don't have any secrets for photographing models. Over the years I have tried lots of different techniques, lights, cameras, lenses, and backgrounds.

I have found that simpler is better.

I use a Varitone Graduated Background. 31" x 43". They are designed as photo backgrounds and really bring a unique look to images.

Varitone...

http://phototechinc.com/graduate.htm

For lighting I use three lights total plus ambient room light. I have two side positioned tri-pod lights and an overhead mounted swing mount light. I use Sylvania 60W Daylight bulbs in all lights.

My light stands are similar to this...



I use a product photography table for the photos with the graduated background clamped on. I've added leg extensions to the table to bring the horizontal surface up to about 36" inches. That makes it much easier to place models.



For my camera I have really gone low budget...but it works. I use a Canon Powershot SD1400 IS. It is simple to use, has a very good macro function, and lots of manual adjustments. I have continually played with adjustments to get the look I like.

I hope that answers your question.

Thanks very much Mike! It has been a fun build. This was really a great tank for the USMC.

I'm looking forward to painting it too.

I'll post a close up pic of the engine door hinges ASAP.

Building a kit like this with lots of aftermarket additions and some scratchbuilding results in a box full of extra parts. Add on to that the fact that Dragon includes many parts from the M103A1 kit that are not used on the M103A2 and you end up with these as left overs...



I am sure that many of you have been in the same place at one time or another.

For lighting I use three lights total plus ambient room light. I have two side positioned tri-pod lights and an overhead mounted swing mount light. I use Sylvania 60W Daylight bulbs in all lights.

My light stands are similar to this...



I use a product photography table for the photos with the graduated background clamped on. I've added leg extensions to the table to bring the horizontal surface up to about 36" inches. That makes it much easier to place models.



[/quote]

I lack these things, which is why i haven't taken pictures of my A2 that i finished back in April

Brian,

I am really looking forward to seeing your M103A2...any finished pics would be great.

They would, but if i ever do make time to figure this camera of mine out i'll probably wait until well after you've posted yours. It doesn't seem right to post when you're hitting the finish line on yours

Before the tracks are assembled and painting begins I want to look at another aspect of the kit...the decals.

Dragon provides Cartograf decals for two M103A2s.

In the instructions both tanks are listed as being from unidentified units in Guantanamo during 1970.

The units can be identified and more details provided on accuracy issues with the decals themselves.

M103A2s did deploy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on a six month rotation basis. This task was assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. A five tank platoon of M103A2s and two additional M67 Flame Tanks supported the reinforced Infantry Battalion. Originally C Company deployed and then it was re-named D Company.

One of the M103A2s the decals depict is for a tank deployed to Guantanamo Bay. This is "D12". This would be an M103A2 from 1st Platoon, D Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. This particular tank is shown in a colour plate in the Osprey M103 Heavy Tank book.

The "D" is poorly displayed on the decals. It looks almost like a 0 (zero) or a capital O. The registration number is correct. There are a series of yellow stars that are applied to the side of the turret. These are supposed to be personal commendation marking given to the crew by the Platoon Leader. The instructions show the stars on the left side of the turret but the colour plate and an additional image in the Osprey book show the stars on the right side of the turret. I would recommend putting them on the right side of the turret if you chose to use them.

The other M103A2 depicted in the instructions/decals is not another tank deployed to Guantanamo Bay. It is the fourth M103A2 in 2nd Platoon, D Company, 5th Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. There are images of this particular tank in the Osprey book and the Ampersand Book. The 'D24" markings look good. The D is properly shaped (swap this D for the O on D12 if you chose that tank). The registration number is correct.

The M103A2s of D Company, 5th Tank Battalion had been tanks with C Company, 1st Tank Battalion. When C Company, 1st Tank Battalion deployed to Vietnam they exchanged the M103A2s for M48A3s. The M103A2s remained in Pendleton and became D Company, 5th Tank Battalion.

Also included in the decals for this tank are the 1st Tank Battalion crests. According to the instructions these decals are supposed to be applied to the center of the glacis plate, on each air cleaner, on both jerry cans, and on both rear fenders. That is a total of seven crests. The bad part is that Dragon only included three of the crests on their decals sheet!!!

Now, here is where there could be even more confusion. Would the D Company, 5th Tank Battalion M103A2s have 5th Tank Battalion crests or would they have retained the 1st Tank Battalion crests? Reference images are not quite good enough to tell. In fact, in reference images it almost appears the D Company tanks simply have blank crests with no insignia on them at all.

To add to that, the markings for D24 are not completely correct in the instructions. On the right rear fender there should be a small D24 and not the crest. I would expect this would be in yellow to follow the standard call sign marking. The small D24 can be clearly seen in the Ampersand book.

Can anyone shed more light on the accuracy or details of the markings?

Thanks for the explaination fo your photo's! Have been looking for some stuff. Quite pricy though...

Thanks! Hilbert

Mike,

Here are some additional images of my version of the engine door hinges. Hopefully they help you out.

Nice! Thanks Jason, much appreciated!

Best,
Mike

The Bronco tracks have arrived and assembly shall begin forthwith. The tracks have great detail and should be a major improvement over the Dragon DS tracks.

A review of the tracks is available here...

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/9321

The box front...



The box back with instructions...



The track pad and centre guide sprues...



The end connector and track shoe frame sprues...



I expect that a mini assembly line process will suite best for building these tracks so off I go...

Can hose be built as burnt track?

I don't think so. The issue is the inner track pad parts. The inner track pad parts are partially joined with the metal track shoes on the end. Without using the upper and lower track pad parts there is not a way to join each track section together.

As the track building continues I have been considering the marking options again for my M103A2. I am very much leaning toward an Guantanamo Bay operationally deployed M103A2.

I have been able to reach out to USMC armour aficionado Mike Mummey and renowned military author and M103 expert Kenneth Estes for additional information. I am also attempting to make contact with Colonel (Retired) Niewenhous who as a 1st Lt. commanded a Platoon of M103A2s deployed to Guantanamo Bay in 1970.

Based on some additional reference material I have been provided I am attempting to confirm some detail changes on the Guantanamo Bay M103A2s (at least changes for D Company, 1st Platoon tanks). As a result some minor changes may be done to my build. These changes may include a revised antenna mount location and an additional tow cable.

I'll keep you informed as I get more information.

A couple of quick updates.

The first was a decision to commit to finishing my build as a M103A2 belonging to 1st Platoon, D Company, 2nd Tank Battalion stationed at Guantanamo Bay in 1970.

Upon revisiting a multitude of reference images I finally clued in that D Company tanks had a repositioned antenna mount. The antenna mount in the right turret mount had been moved to the mid left side of the turret. The only place I can fathom this is in reviewing images of real tanks is the location of the small turret ventilator. So, I popped off both the antenna mount and the ventilator and repositioned the parts. I added a circular blanking plate over the right antenna position. I added a small circular mounting plate on the ventilator location and attached the antenna mount.





The second update is upon closer scrutiny of reference images show that the Dragon supplied Tac markings are the incorrect shape/font. The letters and numbers on the Dragon decals are far too soft edged. In a search for alternate suitable markings I think that Woodland Scenics USA-Gothic Yellow Numbers and Letters Dry Transfer Decals will do the trick quite nicely.

Great stuff! I always prefer to see builds done from actual vehicles. Your choice is wonderfully obscure, but the absolutely correct one for this vehicle. Chapeau, sir!