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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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REVIEW
Dragon M48A1
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ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
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Posted: Monday, June 20, 2016 - 10:14 PM UTC
Another great kit by Dragon in their M48 line of tanks. This is a long awaited kit and it doesn''t disappoint.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 12:18 AM UTC
Wouldn't the spare fuel barrel rack on the back be appropriate for this tank? Would have been awesome if the kit came with one. I scratch built one for my Legends conversion, but now since we have an A1 all in one kit maybe one of the aftermarket companies will produce one.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 12:58 AM UTC
Thanks for posting this Darren.

The spare fuel barrel rack set-up was used on some M48A1s, but not all nor many. It would be appropriate for this model of tank though. Hopefully an AM company will make it for those who want it.
LeoCmdr
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 02:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Wouldn't the spare fuel barrel rack on the back be appropriate for this tank? Would have been awesome if the kit came with one. I scratch built one for my Legends conversion, but now since we have an A1 all in one kit maybe one of the aftermarket companies will produce one.


Aftermarket companies need lots of reference images and measurements to get something such as the fuel barrel rack accurate. I have been gathering information but need more to make it worth a proposal.
LeoCmdr
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Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 02:57 AM UTC
Gino,

Can we see some of your build images?
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 04:09 AM UTC
I've posted this model so many times even I'm sick of it!

HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 07:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Gino,

Can we see some of your build images?


I just started making the 40 AR BDE specific mods and will post some pics as I get more done on it.
LeoCmdr
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 07:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Gino,

Can we see some of your build images?


I just started making the 40 AR BDE specific mods and will post some pics as I get more done on it.


Copy that. I look forward to seeing how you tackle the 40 AR BDE searchlight mount.
GTDeath13
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Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 01:47 PM UTC
The kit is great but the DS manlet is a tragedy.

The part of the manlet cover between the manlet and the turret should not have the accordion style. The canvas was a single piece. Photohraphs show this clearly.

So anyone building this kit has either the option of not using the DS manlet or waiting for aftermarket companies.

I wonder if the DS manlet can be filled and sanded to represent the real thing.

Thank you for the review and the build.
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 04:09 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The part of the manlet cover between the manlet and the turret should not have the accordion style. The canvas was a single piece. Photohraphs show this clearly.


The kit mantlet cover is way too large anyway, so the exact shape is pretty much irrelevant...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 07:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Another great kit by Dragon in their M48 line of tanks. This is a long awaited kit and it doesn''t disappoint.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!


THANKS to Darren and Gino!

After this review, the DRAGON M48A1 is now on my "BUY" list! As to the mal-formed Mantlet Cover, I anticipate that DEF, LEGEND, BLACK DOG and VOYAGER will soon set matters aright... DITTO for the Crouse Hinds Search Light, Spare Fuel Barrel Rack and the 40 AR BDE Mods... There are also several very nice aftermarket Indy-link Track sets out there, as well...
stef29
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Joined: October 10, 2012
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Posted: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 07:50 AM UTC
Almost grabbed a Tamiya a3 cheap but glad I held off, an accurate a1 without breaking the bank on AM . Thanks Gino!
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 03:02 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Almost grabbed a Tamiya a3 cheap but glad I held off, an accurate a1 without breaking the bank on AM . Thanks Gino!


I like your quote about "Bill's First Law of Modelling" at the bottom of your "page"- SO TRUE!!!

I bought at least 2 or 3 each of TAMIYA's M48A3, M60A1, M60A2 and M60A3 kits, along with an ACADEMY -A3 RISE, Plus ALL kinds of resin updates and conversion sets, PE sets, BRONCO Indy-link "early" and "late" Track sets for all of the above, and even a LEGEND M48A1 Conversion kit for one of my TAMIYA M48A3s- NOT a TOTAL LOSS, as I can at least use the PE sets for the newer DRAGON M48s and AFV CLUB's M60A1 and -A2s, and all of the BRONCO Track sets. I bought BRONCO's M1 Track sets for my DRAGON M1s, too. Talk about "dedicated"!

Wonder if AFV CLUB will ever do an M48-series, an M60, or even a new series of 105mm M1s..? Be nice if they got around to it eventually...
stef29
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2016 - 08:59 AM UTC
Haha yeah as I get older my fingers are getting less coordinated and more and more tiny pieces are lost. It's an amazing time for armor modelers. My dream is to build an almost seamless line from m26 to m60a3. And then do the same with soviet / russian armor. I won't live that long but the kits are pretty much available. I welcome an accurate rendering so should also thank DRagon
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2016 - 04:27 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Haha yeah as I get older my fingers are getting less coordinated and more and more tiny pieces are lost. It's an amazing time for armor modelers. My dream is to build an almost seamless line from m26 to m60a3. And then do the same with soviet / russian armor. I won't live that long but the kits are pretty much available. I welcome an accurate rendering so should also thank DRagon


That's a great goal to shoot for! Personally, I'm primarily a US/Allied fan, and the vast bulk of my 1/35 AFV and Soft-skins collection is comprised of US/Allied Armor, 1916 to "Present Day" modern stuff, though I DO also model some of the "major" types of other nations, as well. My "first love" in modelling remains 1/48 Aircraft. I also have a great interest in HO brass, "high-end" Hybrid" and plastic Steam Era Locomotives and Trains. I also model Classic 1/24 and 1/25 Automobiles, and 1/35-120mm Figures...
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
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Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2016 - 08:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Wonder if AFV CLUB will ever do an M48-series

They already showed their new M48 turret test shot a couple of years ago, even before they announced the M60A1. My guess is they planned to release M48 first, but then changed their mind when Dragon released theirs. But I'm pretty sure they will get back to M48 family eventually.

Bravo1102
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
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Posted: Friday, June 24, 2016 - 05:07 AM UTC
This fills the last gap in my collection of the tanks of the 50th Armored Division New Jersey Army National Guard 1946-1996.

Now to save up the money and get it past the wife.
M4A1Sherman
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New York, United States
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Posted: Friday, June 24, 2016 - 11:06 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Wonder if AFV CLUB will ever do an M48-series

They already showed their new M48 turret test shot a couple of years ago, even before they announced the M60A1. My guess is they planned to release M48 first, but then changed their mind when Dragon released theirs. But I'm pretty sure they will get back to M48 family eventually.



I wish that AFV CLUB would have released their M8 HMC (75mm Howitzer) that they just let float out into Limbo, after having announced this kit as coming "Soon" in their "Future Products" ads, several years ago...

Would have been nice to have seen AFV's "take" on an M48-series. Would also be nice to see them do an M60, as part of their expanding M60A1, -A2, and upcoming -A3 series of kits, AND to actually have their M8 HMC come to fruition...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Friday, June 24, 2016 - 12:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Haha yeah as I get older my fingers are getting less coordinated and more and more tiny pieces are lost. It's an amazing time for armor modelers. My dream is to build an almost seamless line from m26 to m60a3. And then do the same with soviet / russian armor. I won't live that long but the kits are pretty much available. I welcome an accurate rendering so should also thank DRagon


Re: "The Fingers"- I HEAR THAT!!!

HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2016 - 03:48 AM UTC
You can see the continuation of this build into a Berlin BDE M48A1 during the Berlin Crisis of '61 here.
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