By that time, early '80s, the M60A1 RISE tanks had top-loading air cleaners, steel wheels, and smoke launchers/smoke grenade storage boxes. It would most likely be an M60A1 RISE/PASSIVE (introduced in '77) by that time. Passive tanks also included passive night vision sights for gunner and commander, kevilar spall liners for the turret, the VEESS smoke generation system, a new night vision device for the driver, a deep water fording kit and the capability to mount Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).

Quoted Text

---

By that time, early '80s, the M60A1 RISE tanks had top-loading air cleaners, steel wheels, and smoke launchers/smoke grenade storage boxes. It would most likely be an M60A1 RISE/PASSIVE (introduced in '77) by that time. Passive tanks also included passive night vision sights for gunner and commander, kevilar spall liners for the turret, the VEESS smoke generation system, a new night vision device for the driver, a deep water fording kit and the capability to mount Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).

---

Thanks. Making a list since I’m just getting started on this build. So most likely the pics that have the aluminum wheels and side loaders are straight up M60A1s and from an earlier time period?

Quoted Text

---

Quoted Text

---

By that time, early '80s, the M60A1 RISE tanks had top-loading air cleaners, steel wheels, and smoke launchers/smoke grenade storage boxes. It would most likely be an M60A1 RISE/PASSIVE (introduced in '77) by that time. Passive tanks also included passive night vision sights for gunner and commander, kevilar spall liners for the turret, the VEESS smoke generation system, a new night vision device for the driver, a deep water fording kit and the capability to mount Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).

---

Thanks. Making a list since I’m just getting started on this build. So most likely the pics that have the aluminum wheels and side loaders are straight up M60A1s and from an earlier time period?

---

Chris, you probably need to be more specific about your build if you are looking for accuracy. The M60A1 Reliabilty Improved Selected Equipment (RISE) was introduced in 1975, with improvements mainly to the engine system, including the top load air cleaners. They also had searchlights. The M60A1(RISE/PASSIVE) tanks introduced the passive night vision and driving systems, but many of those tanks also retained the searchlights. There was no externally visible smoke discharger system on those tanks, which used the VEESS system-- (Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke System), which was basically an injection of diesel fuel into the exhaust. All these tanks had upgrades in their stabilization systems-AOS (Add-On Stabilization) which caused some changes in the electronics and sighting equipment inside the turret, introduced about 1975. In many cases, you could find a mix of tanks (M60A1(AOS), M60A1(RISE) or M60A1 (RISE-PASSIVE) in some units, up to the time they were replaced by the M60A3 beginning in 1980. I was an M60A1(RISE) platoon leader in 1976-77 at Knox and in the 11th ACR. In the 11th ACR, by 1980, we had a mixture of RISE and RISE/PASSIVE tanks. Since there were large stocks of aluminum road wheels left for issue, it wasn't uncommon to see both types on some tanks. But by 1980, the Army was transitioning to the M60A3, so most of the early M60A1s were found in the NG, FMS, or being rebuilt. In my platoon in the 11th ACR in 1977, I had a mixture of M60A1(AOS) and M60A1(RISE) tanks. By the way, the searchlight on the earlier M60A1 (AOS and RISE), had TWO capabilities-- white light and infrared. The driver of those tanks used an infrared viewer for night driving, and the gunner could target with an infrared sight. But the later passive sighting system was much better as it (passively) scavenged available light, without projecting a beam.
VR, Russ

I served on M60A1's in Heavy Company 2/3 ACR from 82-86. As many of the other posters have written, it was common to find a mixture of subtypes in the same unit. We even had a mixture of air cooled and oil cooled engines in the company when I first got there. To complicate things further we also had a mix of searchlight types; the ANVVS 2 and ANVVS 3. The 2 was larger while the 3 was smaller, more square looking, and had a circular lens in front. Or, if you don't want to mess with the searchlight issue, show the tank without one. In my experience that was not unusual either.

My Squadron 1/11th ACR in Fulda received a full compliment of M60A1 RISE passive tanks in the summer of 1978. Every troop traded in their M551s for M60A1s over the course of a month. We had gunners, TCs and drivers passive sights. We retained the ANVVS 3 searchlights off of the M551s for our 60s all tanks had one. Passive was better then IR but the searchlight could help on an overcast night. IR headlights also helped the drivers passive vision periscope. All the tanks came with aluminum road wheels which I hated. The steel wear plates were forever coming off. We had armored top loading air cleaners and the grenade launcher mounts on the turrets. The actual launchers arrived several months later. They arrived in forest green and we painted the camouflage on a crew level. I painted my tank. These were factory new tanks mine had 50 miles on it. That is what I know we had at that time I put 2000 miles on her as the driver.

Tom

My Squadron 1/11th ACR in Fulda received a full compliment of M60A1 RISE passive tanks in the summer of 1978. Every troop traded in their M551s for M60A1s over the course of a month. We had gunners, TCs and drivers passive sights. We retained the ANVVS 3 searchlights off of the M551s for our 60s all tanks had one. Passive was better then IR but the searchlight could help on an overcast night. IR headlights also helped the drivers passive vision periscope. All the tanks came with aluminum road wheels which I hated. The steel wear plates were forever coming off. We had armored top loading air cleaners and the grenade launcher mounts on the turrets. The actual launchers arrived several months later. They arrived in forest green and we painted the camouflage on a crew level. I painted my tank. These were factory new tanks mine had 50 miles on it. That is what I know we had at that time I put 2000 miles on her as the driver.

Tom

Doing some work on the Takom turret. The smoke grenade launchers are modified and the covers are epoxy putty, same for the cover on the search light (not sure I'm going to mount it yet.

Quoted Text

---

Doing some work on the Takom turret. The smoke grenade launchers are modified and the covers are epoxy putty, same for the cover on the search light (not sure I'm going to mount it yet.

---

Chris the searchlight cover covered the entire light and was open on the bottom. The light was attached from below. Otherwise looking good. What did you use on the turret to fix the texture?

Tom

I served on ‘A3’s in the mid ‘80’s and we had a mix of steel and aluminum.
Dan

Quoted Text

---

Quoted Text

---

Doing some work on the Takom turret. The smoke grenade launchers are modified and the covers are epoxy putty, same for the cover on the search light (not sure I'm going to mount it yet.

---

Chris the searchlight cover covered the entire light and was open on the bottom. The light was attached from below. Otherwise looking good. What did you use on the turret to fix the texture?

Tom

---

The searchlight cover is on three sides only and open on the bottom. I sourced the parts from AFV Club and the attachment is super fragile. If I use it it will be the last thing attached. I think there’s an aftermarket resin set that has these parts too. I just used Tamiya Extra Thin and a stiff bristled brush to texture the turret join.