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As I understand it, from several different reviews that I've read, the AFV CLUB M60A1 kit is a representation of a "mid-production"-vehicle. I would like to know specifically which features, besides the "obvious" Armor Plates, differentiate the M60A1 from the M60A1 "Blazer". Were "Blazers" converted from "early", "mid", or "late"-type M60A1s, or were they converted from a "hodge-podge" of all three, if there even were such things as "early", "mid", or "late" -A1s..?

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The AFV Club, and most M60A1 models (less the original Tamiya M60A1) are mid or late production tank kits. The identifying feature between mid and early A1s is the presence of "chin armor" on the front edges below the mantlet. I think the old Tamiya kit is the only one without the chin armor. See the photo below and you can see additional armor weld beginning at the bottom edge of the turret by the canvas cover and it continues until it reaches the turret ring. It was added to eliminate a trap shot discovered during Israel's use of the tank in combat.

What differentiates the mid from the late is normally the tracks, road wheels and air cleaners. The original style tracks, aluminum "finned" road wheels (strengthening ribs along the inner portion of the road wheels) and original side loading air cleaners are considered early to mid.

Not being a M60 aficionado unless they were IDF, how does the Gunze Sangyo M60A1 w/RISE rate?

...M60A1 RISE/Passive kit with ERA...

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Today, the best combination would be to start with AFV club and add armor, grenade launchers, air cleaners from either the Academy or Tamiya kit. Whichever is cheaper.

Right, I just meant to get an M60A1 RISE/Passive tank. Poor editing on my part leaving the ERA part. Good catch.

And there's still the aluminum vs. steel road wheels issue.

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Not being a M60 aficionado unless they were IDF, how does the Gunze Sangyo M60A1 w/RISE rate?

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The Gunze Sangyo M60A1 RISE/Passive kit with ERA is the Esci M60A1 kit (same base kit as the Blazer).

The main problem right off the bat with using this kit is that Marine Corps M60A1s during Desert Storm tended to use only the smooth steel road wheels. After market wheels are available though, but when you pay what this kit originally retailed for, you should be able to get a high quality model out of box. Especially one that says "HIGH TECH MODEL".

It includes white metal ERA and mounts, smoke grenade launchers and storage boxes as well as a pair of white metal top loading air cleaners.

I bought one in 2009 for $35, mainly for collecting purposes and not to build. I've already tackled the Desert Storm era A1 w/ERA by building one of my $5 Esci Blazer kits, but replacing the armor, air cleaners and road wheels, as well as decals from the Tamiya kit.

Today, the best combination would be to start with AFV club and add armor, grenade launchers, air cleaners from either the Academy or Tamiya kit. Whichever is cheaper.

In Germany, we were issued the manuals to install ERA to our A3s, but went to M1A1s instead (1989). I think 2ID in Korea was supposed to add it as well because the ERA manuals had an adjustment to accommodate the loader's machine gun present on their A3s.

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In Germany, we were issued the manuals to install ERA to our A3s, but went to M1A1s instead (1989). I think 2ID in Korea was supposed to add it as well because the ERA manuals had an adjustment to accommodate the loader's machine gun present on their A3s.

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I've never seen any reference to loader's MG on US Army A3's. I assume this was a pintle-mounted M60? Any pics of this, I'm really interested.

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In Germany, we were issued the manuals to install ERA to our A3s, but went to M1A1s instead (1989). I think 2ID in Korea was supposed to add it as well because the ERA manuals had an adjustment to accommodate the loader's machine gun present on their A3s.

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I've never seen any reference to loader's MG on US Army A3's. I assume this was a pintle-mounted M60? Any pics of this, I'm really interested.

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In Germany, we were issued the manuals to install ERA to our A3s, but went to M1A1s instead (1989). I think 2ID in Korea was supposed to add it as well because the ERA manuals had an adjustment to accommodate the loader's machine gun present on their A3s.

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I've never seen any reference to loader's MG on US Army A3's. I assume this was a pintle-mounted M60? Any pics of this, I'm really interested.

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In Germany, we were issued the manuals to install ERA to our A3s, but went to M1A1s instead (1989). I think 2ID in Korea was supposed to add it as well because the ERA manuals had an adjustment to accommodate the loader's machine gun present on their A3s.

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I've never seen any reference to loader's MG on US Army A3's. I assume this was a pintle-mounted M60? Any pics of this, I'm really interested.

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Not my photographs, they are Toadman's, but this is an old 2ID M60A3TTS tank with the mounts. They were specific to 2ID tanks. The loader could relocate the M60D from the side pintle to the forward pintle. They were removed from M48A5s and welded onto the A3s.

WOW!!! Was this vehicle parked in the ocean for a while..?

Glad that you posted these photos to get an idea of where the MG Pintle Mounts on 2ID's M60A3TTS' are located...

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In Germany, we were issued the manuals to install ERA to our A3s, but went to M1A1s instead (1989). I think 2ID in Korea was supposed to add it as well because the ERA manuals had an adjustment to accommodate the loader's machine gun present on their A3s.

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I've never seen any reference to loader's MG on US Army A3's. I assume this was a pintle-mounted M60? Any pics of this, I'm really interested.

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2ID M60A3TTS tanks removed the two mounts from the loader's position on their M48A5s when they transitioned. One is located forward of the loader's hatch in a simple pintle mount and the other is the dog legged one on the side of the turret. That mount requires modification of the standard ERA set up. The M60D is used and moved from the side to the forward position as needed.

One of my face book friends has some photos of his tank, I'll ask to forward some. I do know someone here was making one with these features a few years back.