Here's a New One from Takom, I don't know how accurate it is, but I'll try.




Just starting.
Donald

It's an M60 hull with an M48A5 turret. And yes the oval escape hatch is correct for the Great majority of M60 hulls produced.

I'm hoping Takom will do the slick M60.

Just finished the build of the non ERA version. Can't speak to the accuracy but it was a fun build. Good fit for the most part and relatively simple. Only trouble spot was the rear turret basket that was a multi-piece affair that was a bit fiddly to get together. Once assembled it looked good and the PE mesh fit perfectly. Good luck and I will be following as I have this version on deck.

Tuned in and watching.

Why aftermarket tracks? What is included in the kit?

Looking good so far. I plan on using the non-ERA version to kit-bash with the forthcoming Dragon M48 AVLB parts to make an M60 ALVB. Then I plan on using the M48 hull with the M48A5 turret and parts from the Takom kit to build an M48A5. We'll see how it goes. Just need Dragon to hurry up with the AVLB kit.

The Tracks in the kit are a non gluable vinyl that have the ends held together with a pin, the connecting area is very small.

Thanks,
I wouldn't be supprised if Takom didn't come out with the M60 AVLB
they have most of the parts except for the Bridge parts.
Donald

Ok now back to the build
The lower hull is finished no problems here and a very good fit.



There is some very nice detailing and weld beads on the parts that go on the lower hull.


I'll be working on the Wheels & Sprockets next.
Donald

Here are the outer road wheels and Sprockets, the outer ones are one piece without the lip on the edge.

That's all for now.
Donald

Following this

It was my belief Takom doesn’t do vinyl tracks in their kits.

[quote]It was my belief Takom doesn’t do vinyl tracks in their kits.[/q

They do now And they look pretty good

Must have. I can see this hull as base for a bunch of Magachs. And again: anyone out there that doesn't want the tracks out of one of these kits, I'll buy or trade for them.

[quote]


They look nice on the outside, There are sink marks on the inside, and there is only the tiny connection areas to join them together.
I'm not shure they would take paint very well as liquid cement
will not touch them.
Donald

Ok now back to the build.
Here are the road wheels assembled and painted, there aren't any retaining parts so I glued them in place. It's just as well as I usually glue them on anyway.

There is a nice lip on the outside edge of the outside wheel , none on the inner wheels.



I'll be working on the upper parts of the hull next.
Donald

I have this kit about 1/2 way through weathering right now. I used the kit tracks. I painted them with tamiya black and can say that the paint refused to dry, stayed tacky for days. So I shot a coat of future over it and that dried nicly. I have had the on and off the kit a few times and so far not an issue with the single pin.
This one will end up in a muddy rice paddy so I am not worried much about any sink marks of well even detail since it will be covered.
Be carefull when you get to the "drill all these holes" to mount the ERA blocks. I chose not to drill the holes but to leave the ridge where the hole is supposed to go and cut the pin off the leg of the ERA mount. Then a dab of thick liquid glue was placed and the assembly pressed on. This allowed the glue to soften the raised ridge and fill in the contact area a bit. There are alot of angles in these assemblies. If this does not make sense let me know.

I finally have a little more assembled, I've been packing up my kits this past week since I'll be moving. Sofar there is only 42 ea. 18" by 18" by 24" Boxes.
Well enough of that here's what is done.



That's all for now.
Donald

Looks really good Donald,thanks for posting this, I hope to pick up this kit soon. (though I won't be building it soon, too many started ahead of it, but we'll see!)

I have just finished cleaning up and assembling the Bronco track, man it's a real bear.
The Pics should be self explanitory
Donald

I'll be painting and installing them next.
That's all for now.
Donald

Any reason you went with the Bronco tracks vs the AFV workable tracks which are much less complex to assemble? Thanks.

I went with the Bronco track rather than the AFV Club tracks because I know they will stay together. I've used the AFV Club track before and found that they have a tendancy to come apart, thare is just some small vinyl conectors that go on the ends holding them together. I just sprayed the Bronco track along with the Kit Track with Model Masters Gun Metal Laquer, and justhave to paint the pads on the Bronco track. As for the kit tracks they are still sticky as the Laquer doesn't want to dry on them. See Easy 8 s comment above. Takom really screwed up with these vinyl track.
Regards.
Donald

Nice tutorial on the Bronco tracks and the tip for the glue on the assembled shoe is really helpful.

The Bronco T97 tracks IMHO are the best available choice. The AFV Club tracks have nasty sinkmarks on every link. The Bronco ones might be a little time consuming and tedious but the result is worth the effort. Plus they are fully workable if assembled correctly. If someone wants aftermarket tracks for their kit, Friul is the way to go for tracks with no rubber on and Bronco for tracks with rubber parts.