Hi Gino,

Yes - as far as I'm aware the mechanism was the same on both the later M48 AVLBs and the M60 AVLB. I've seen a couple of photos of ARNG M48 AVLBs with the original launching mechanism and crew hatches but with the A5 hull mods. However, most M48A5 AVLBs were upgraded to be mechanically identical to their younger brothers. ('48s were sometimes issued when '60s weren't available - even within the last 15-20 years IIRC).

Many years ago I started on a scratchbuilt M48 AVLB so I did a lot of photo research and chose an ARNG vehicle with the original launching mechanism and hatches, but upgraded to A5 standards - the model never got finished but that's life.

Changing the mounting geometry to fit the '60 hull might be entertaining, but certainly achievable.

Regards,
John

I do not know what hull they are using but its not a 48A5. AFAIK 48A5s had 5 support rollers. The picture shows 3 which would indicate an A2 hull. Many upgrades were made to 48s with A1s up graded to A3 and A5 and A3s up graded to A5. It could be that some A2 hulls were modified into diesel bridges. I remember hearing some where that M48 based bridges were used in M60 units since they were automotively identical. That could be the bases for this kit since it has late model crew hatches. Early model bridges on both hulls used Sherman vision cupolas.

Tom

With the forthcoming Dragon M48A5 AVLB, I have a question. It looks to me like the mechanism, mount, crew cupolas, etc are the same on the M48A5 AVLB as on the M60 AVLB. Can anyone confirm this? How hard would it be to adapt the AVLB parts/mechanism to an M60 to make it an M60 AVLB?

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I do not know what hull they are using but its not a 48A5. AFAIK 48A5s had 5 support rollers. The picture shows 3 which would indicate an A2 hull. Many upgrades were made to 48s with A1s up graded to A3 and A5 and A3s up graded to A5. It could be that some A2 hulls were modified into diesel bridges. I remember hearing some where that M48 based bridges were used in M60 units since they were automotively identical. That could be the bases for this kit since it has late model crew hatches. Early model bridges on both hulls used Sherman vision cupolas.

Tom

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The Bundeswehr used M48A2 AVLBs.

This appears to be a U.S. M48A2 AVLB...

http://svsm.org/gallery/M48Bridge

This link below is labeled as an M48A5 ALVB but it has three return rollers...some with the older Sherman cupolas.

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m48a5_avlb.htm

Perhaps it is an assumption by modellers is that the Dragon kit is an M48A5 AVLB even though the release information has only stated it as an M48 AVLB.

We've had M48 and M60 AVLB Launchers in the 178 EN BN, SC Army National Guard up until at least 2014 when I retired, but I think they still have them in service. (these pictures are from Prime Portal, which I provided to them).

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We've had M48 and M60 AVLB Launchers in the 178 EN BN, SC Army National Guard up until at least 2014 when I retired, but I think they still have them in service. (these pictures are from Prime Portal, which I provided to them).

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Many of the "M60A1" AVLBs are actually built on M60A2 hulls.





KL

Here at Ft Riley (1st ID) we’ve got a bunch of M60 bridge layers.

I’ll get some pics, but in the mitorpool they are parked without the bridge and the big front piece is removed. So pics will be of the parts - some assembly required!

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Here at Ft Riley (1st ID) we’ve got a bunch of M60 bridge layers.

I’ll get some pics, but in the mitorpool they are parked without the bridge and the big front piece is removed. So pics will be of the parts - some assembly required!

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Images of the front hull, upper and lower, will be useful to show the differences between the mounting points. The "braces", or whatever they are called, on the lower front are different, two beams on the M48 vs two triangles on the M60.
The attachments on the glacis could be similar or almost the same.
/ Robin

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Here at Ft Riley (1st ID) we’ve got a bunch of M60 bridge layers.

I’ll get some pics, but in the mitorpool they are parked without the bridge and the big front piece is removed. So pics will be of the parts - some assembly required!

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Images of the front hull, upper and lower, will be useful to show the differences between the mounting points. The "braces", or whatever they are called, on the lower front are different, two beams on the M48 vs two triangles on the M60.
The attachments on the glacis could be similar or almost the same.
/ Robin

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Do I need to use a A2 hull for the M60 AVLB or can I use a M60A1 hull?