I'm Back.
I wasn't sure if I was going to do this anymore, but I'll try.

I'm trying to up detail Dragons M48A3.

Now to continue, I was called away by the Wife and this post was interrupted.
Here are the resin parts from the DEF Models sets all cleaned up.

The Resin Wheels are very loose fitting on the Dragons axles.

Here is how I fixed it.
Some thin tubing to go on the axle .

I drilled out the Wheels to fit the size of the tubing .

A perfect fit now.

Some may say they are only wheels, here they are side by side.
The DEF Models Wheels and the Dragon Kit Wheels.




I think the DEF Wheels look a lot better.
That's it for now.
Donald

Now to do the Sprockets.

Here are the parts.


I started with the kit parts for the inner Sprockets, installing the inner disc guide to them.

Then I installed the outer guide.

I used the kit track to line up the inner and outer sprockets.

The finished Sprockets.


That's all for now.
Donald

Looking forward to this alot,have this kit and
Other detail sets as well.Your off to a nice start.Please keep us updated

Donald, I love to follow your comprehensively photographed builds. They are a joy to watch.

Regards,

Eric

I have this kin on my wish list so I am very interested in your observations and comments. Always enjoy your builds and always learn something interesting and valuable. Good luck.

Thanks Guys, I'm glad you like it.
Now back to work for me.
Here's the bottom of the Hull.


There might be a little problem here, there's a slight gap behind the front double spring units. Does anyone know if it is suppose to be like this ?


A little putty is needed on the front Hull Seam.

That's all for now.
Donald

There's a really bad fit here on both sides.


After a lot of trimming and fitting it's a little better, but a lot of putty will be needed.

This much same for both sides.

After sanding.

I had to add a small wedge of plastic to both sides of the bottom hull to make it ever to fit the rear access doors.

I'm not certain if I should use the Dragon parts or the DEF Models resin parts
The Dragon part has flat bars on some of the edges and the DEF ones don't.


Finished for today.
Donald

I just finished the M48A1 kit from Dragon and had the same challenges on the rear of the hull by the final drive/sprocket areas.

The gap you mentioned is accurate, based on photos in the M48 reference book I'm using.

What do you think of the hull armor texture on the Dragon kit?

Use the DEF parts. The armored framing around the engine louvers are a Mod B. modification.

Your build is looking great. While I've built a couple of the Dragon M48s OOB, I still have a few more in the stash that I plan to add similar aftermarket to. I'll be using your build as a reference.

Great solution for the road wheels. The extra detail appears to worth the additional work.

I went with the DEF Models rear panels , If I had to do this again I think that I would Glue the top, bottom and rear parts together first. Then add the small parts.

I used a piece of card stock to fasten the rear panels together.


I had to cut a piece out here to clear the reinforcement on the rear .

It was very tricky to get everything to fit right. For the most part it worked except fot the upper left corner , I guess i'll live with it.



Finished for today.
Donald

I just finished most of the lower hull, except for the fenders.





Now to work on the fenders.
Donald

Its coming along nicely I must say,How are you liking the Def parts so far?looking forward to your next update

This entire M-48 is looking great.I am been thinking about getting on of these for quite a while and with all the great upgrade and aftermarket sets it might be about time.I will be following your great build.

I really like the DEF Models parts, they aren't shrunken like the parts from Legend

Donald

I have had a very productive week end.

Here the Fenders are assembled and temporarily installed.

I have the Resin Mantlet from DEF Models Installed.

You will need to trim off the dust cover mounts molded to the turret shell.

Bend the Pe. parts as shown.


Because of the curve of the Turret I have found that starting at one end of the part and working to the other end is easiest.



That's all for now.
Donald

I've been working on the storage rack on the back of the turret, I think it needs a lot of help.
The inner bars look too heavy.

So I removed them, there are two different sets of these in the DEF Models set. Be sure to use the right ones.

Start with the bottom.

Bend them up & Super Glue them in place.


Finished for now.
Donald

I'm still working on the Turret.
I think these were used to store the search light when it wasn't in use.

The DEF parts look a lot better.



The instructions have this going over the storage rack, I not sure what it was fore?


More coming later.
Donald