I will be posting a build log of a Turkish M48A5T2. The basic kit is the Dragon M48A3 mod B. Some parts e.g. air filters will be donated by an Academy M48. The conversion set and the tracks are from slingshot models.

I started with the basic work on the hull:


The cupola is of the Chrysler type, the gunner's sight is the same with the M60A3 and the set provides the wind sensor, antenna bases and a small flag pedestal? on top of the turret.



The resin barel is included in the Slingshot set and it is superd. The manlet is a resin one from Legend. Unfortunstely I did not cut the turret at the correct position.

Hey Nikos,

She looks good so far. I'm also converting the Dragon m48 mod B town A5. Mine will be a U.S. Army A5 in Korea. I'll follow your blog with interest. I'm curious to see just how different, or similar, the Turkish and U.S. m48a5s were.

Cheers

Matthew

Air filters were provided from the Academy kit. Unfortunately the Tank workshop resin filters I purchased do not fit as well to the Dragon kit, so I left them for other projects.



Smoke grenade launchers are of German origin (Wengman?). The travel lock and a new telephone box are provided by slingshot.



The Turkish army uses domestic tracks with rubber pads. I also used Slingshot sprockets and front mudguard sides.

Thank you Matthew for the interest. The main differences are the barel sleeve, the cupola and the gunner's sight.

I will be buildng a Greek A5, quite similar to the US ones and a MOLF A5 (Greek modernisation) in the future.

Cheers

The machine gun on the cupola is from the Academy machine gun set and I scratchbuilt the turret basket stowage using Light-Cure Trays from dental equipment (like these ones: http://www.kemdent.co.uk/kemdent-light-cure-trays-pink-upper-50?osCsid=n99rjmjk3dibno21l6j7vc1bv7)

Some filling and sanding was required, mainly due to my hastiness. I do not like the photoetch straps for the manlet cover, so I went my own way with them. The firts step was to add bolt heads from Meng around the manlet:



Then I added small styrene pieces for the straps and afterwards another set of bolt heads:



The chains on the smoke grenade launchers are provided in the Slingshot conversion set.

To sum up my progress thus far, the model is primed and ready for painting. It will be painted in a three color desert camouflage.



Comments and suggestions are always welcome...

Hello Nikos,

I'm very interested as I have exactly the same project, this conversion is on its way to me from Greece to the USA and I have already the Dragon kit at the ready.

Shapeways has very nice 3D printed top loading air cleaners.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/YM7CG62GW/1-35-m60a2-aluminum-toploader-air-filter-box

You did a sterling job with your build, I especially like the stowage at the rear of the turret and the detailing around the mantlet cover.

Cheers,

Christophe

Thank yoy for your comment Christophe. The 3d printed filters advise will prove useful to the near future. I wish I had seen them earlier.

Work continued with the base color, Italeri 4812AP US army Sand. It should be a little darker and have a more brownish tint, but I will correct that after painting all of the camo colors with oil filters.

Neat project and nice build! Looking forward to seeing the finished paint job.
Terry

Looks great under that first coat of paint.

I never tried those Italeri paints, what do you use to thin them for airbrushing?

Cheers,

Christophe

I am using vallejo airbrush CLEANER for the Italeri paints. Makes them set evenly.

A couple of in progress photos of the paintjob. I chose to use Maskol due to the hard edged camo.




As you will notice, I used Vallejo colors for the green and black shades.

Looking great so far, can't wait for the next update!

Thank you Alan.

I am a little confused right now. I do not know whether to do minor adjustments to the paintjob or abolish it and start over, this time with free hand spraying. What do you guys think?

I did not like it afterall and off it goes for a bath...

I think you made the right decision.

Can you post or link to a photo of a real tank in that camo so we can get an idea?

Cheers,

Christophe

Reset complete, starting the paintjob again:










And here are some photos of the real tank:

Thanks!

Yeah a tight spray pattern, although it seems a tad looser on some of the pics.

Cheers,

Christophe

You will also notice variations in the pattern, size and position of the green and black patches. This is making it a little frustrating,since I do not have a complete set of photos for a specific vehicle.

Hi Nikos,
I really like the Slingshot parts, they are very nicely done and make real unique kits. You nailed it dowen so far, right decision to start the paint job over again, for sure filters and washes will do a lot later on!
looking forward to seeing the last steps done!
Andreas

Andreas thanks for the comment, you are absolutely right, it had to be repainted.So, first layer of paint:






Comments and questions are always welcome.

Yes sometimes it's worth it to go back rather than settle for something that's not quite good enough. Happened to me a few times!

Cheers,

Christophe

I found a basic pattern for the camo, and ended up like this:

Looks much better.

I think it'll be perfect once blended with washes, weathering, etc...

Cheers,

Christophe

Hi Nikos.
Like your m48a5!,I have the MOLF from slingshot which looks great.Got hold of a Dragon mod. b m48 and have the Academy m48a5 also.Like the unique look of these tanks.
Keep up the good work from Richard