I've Dragon's 1/35 M48A1 to model a tank from the 1961 Berlin Crisis. I'd like to build F52, which was one of the tanks posted ahead of the gate shack at the checkpoint. I have two issues. 1) has anyone ever ran across a TM which provides drawings and illustrations of the bracing and plumbing for a dozer blade which 52 had? Also, can you point me in the direction of a resin mantlet cover to replace the rubber one that came with the kit? It's warped and unusable.

Best wishes
Steve

Do you plan to scratch build the M8 dozer blade?

Yes, unless there's an existing kit.

Unfortunately there isn't one, that's why I asked... I don't have references that could help with that and I don't think they are easily available, otherwise we would probably have aftermarket set already.
I also don't think a replacement M48A1 style mantlet cover is available, only M48A3 ones.

You got that right about the dozer blade. I've been trying to collect references for an aftermarket pitch for years.

I think we'll see a replacement mantlet in the near future...as well as some other details for the Dragon M48A1 kit.

For the mantlet there are currently three options that I know of:

1. Grab one from the Revell M48A2C. THis can be done (and the kit is cheap enough on the web), but it isn't a very good rendition.

2. Use the Legend M48A2C update set which comes with the mantlet attached to the front face of turret. I'd probably grind off the resin turret front, leaving only the resin mantlet to attach to the DML plastic, but it is a PITA. Legend did this because they already had a full resin turret based I think on the old Tamiya kit part, and simply hacked off the front for use on the new Revell kit. Still, the mantlet cover looks pretty good to me...

3. Go "Old Skool" with tissue paper and PVA glue! It may be messy, but the results can be very good indeed. The modern equivalent is to sculpt it from putty slathered over the kit plastic.

A simple drop-in resin mantlet would sell like hotcakes...

It looks like I will be doing this the old way with tissue paper. In regards to the dozer blade, that truly presents a problem if the reference is that nonexistent. I have the capability to produce "War Eagle" which was indeed on Friedrichstrasse during 1961 incident, but no photographic evidence that it would have been positioned on point at the gate shack.

There are some things I'm willing to fudge,but this....
Really puts a crimp in my plans.

Thanks for the help,guys.
Steve

Hello, try googling TM-9-2590-213-15. This is the manual for the M8A3 dozer blade. Wayne

F35 were a regular gun tank that was the point tank for some part of the stand-off.

I have no clear front view of F35 but some of the tanks did not have their mantle covers.

However, if you want to make F35, you'll need to scratch the search light.

Cheers,
/E

Actually the light is available, just the mount has to be scratch built, but it should be quite easy.

http://www.tankworkshop.com/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=126

I just recently built F25 with the scratch searchlight mount, hard rifle case, etc. added to it. My build log may be of some help.

M48A1 Berlin Crisis

You're correct F-35 was a point tank.I did find a good shot that shows that F-35 did have a mantlet cover which I may have a solution for this. I've a Tamiya A3 that I could rob the cover from. Now we come to the new can of worms. What was F-35 named? I've not seen any clear shots of the name. My best guess is maybe, General Walker?

Search light, I'd found a thread regarding the light again mentioned in this thread.

Thanks for all the input guys,this has been a very useful exchange. And thanks for the TM reference! You rock!




Steve

Nope Gen. Walker was the name of F-32... which was also called Gen. Patton :

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7285394030_79592fb99a_o.jpg

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/berlin-germany-a-u-s-army-tank-stands-ready-at-the-news-photo/515351326#8261961berlin-germany-a-us-army-tank-stands-ready-at-the-crossing-picture-id515351326


According to this related thread, F-35 was called Gen. Lee. It briefly appears in this period footage.


H.P.