Hello fellow modelers,
What are my options to build an early M60 (predecessor to A1 and A3)? Is the somewhat disappointing Dragon's kit my only option in styrene?
I wonder if I can modify an M48 turret and kit-bash it with parts from ESCI, Academy or Tamiya M60A1?
Happy new year btw!
Regards,
James
Hosted by Darren Baker
Option for an early M60
Petition2God
Joined: February 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,526 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 12:17 PM UTC
TankSGT
Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 12:38 PM UTC
It is possible but the M60 turret has a different shape then the 48 so it would take some sculpting. It would be easier to get an after market M60 turret and use one of the early M60A1 hulls. That is what I am doing. Also check your references the lower hull is different. The slick 60 only has 1 front shockabsorber the A1 has 2 and it has a different location. Also side loading air cleaners only were used on M60s.
Tom
Tom
18Bravo
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 12:41 PM UTC
Legend has a nice one. (which I have not built yet) I've seen where folks have added putty to M48 turrets and done a pretty fair job sculpting it. I did it once - it was okay. Better than AEF Designs who did one as well, but that is not a testament to my modeling skills. If you happen to find one of theirs online I would not recommend it.
AEF Designs:
The best part of this whole Obama Nation, which I relegated to the scrap heap years ago, was the dust cover behind the mantlet. Because I did it myself...
AEF Designs:
The best part of this whole Obama Nation, which I relegated to the scrap heap years ago, was the dust cover behind the mantlet. Because I did it myself...
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 01:29 PM UTC
For what it is worth, I didn't think the Dragon kit was that terrible. With a little work, it can come out looking really nice. I did change out the commander's cupola for the Legend resin one. In hindsight, I could have replaced the barrel and mantlet as well.
It does look like an M60 when done.
It does look like an M60 when done.
Kenaicop
#384
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 1,316 posts
Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 06:05 PM UTC
Hi Gino. May I ask what color you painted yours? I’ve also got the dragon kit with an Academy cupola, pretty much ready to paint. Hopefully something straight from the bottle.
Petition2God
Joined: February 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,526 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 06:17 PM UTC
Thank you so much for your feedback so far. The Dragon M60 kit is rather pricey for what it's worth but kit-bashing may be a lot of work. Still contemplating however..
I'm hoping for a more accurate new tooling from Meng, RFM, Takom or Academy even... I bet when I am about to finish sculpting the slick's turret...
I'm hoping for a more accurate new tooling from Meng, RFM, Takom or Academy even... I bet when I am about to finish sculpting the slick's turret...
GTDeath13
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 08:37 PM UTC
I kitbashed/converted an Italeri/Esci M60A1 with the Deff model turret, which is a great resin set. There are also decals included for a US Army slick in the conversion set. You can find it quite cheap nowadays (less than 45$) and it includes AFV T97 tracks as well.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/250539#2119117
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/250539#2119117
barkingdigger
Associate Editor
#013
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 09:54 PM UTC
The Dragon kit is overpriced given all the issues that need fixed - I only did mine because I found it on ebay second-hand for half price. Even then I replaced the gun and mantlet, as well as the driver's hatch. Tracks are DS, so may need replaced too. And I had a decent cupola in the spares box to replace the poor DML one. Going with an AM turret and A1 hull is still the easiest way to go.
martinello
Joined: March 20, 2018
KitMaker: 24 posts
Armorama: 24 posts
Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 09:57 PM UTC
Dragon M60 - definitely not recommended.
Note the M60 turret from DEF Model - mine is definitely too small in the lower part.
Note the M60 turret from DEF Model - mine is definitely too small in the lower part.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, January 06, 2020 - 11:29 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Dragon M60 - definitely not recommended.
Note the M60 turret from DEF Model - mine is definitely too small in the lower part.
Too small for what? Mine fits perfectly to AFV Club hull.
GTDeath13
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 12:48 AM UTC
The DEF turret fits perfectly the TAKOM CM-11 hull too.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 01:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Gino. May I ask what color you painted yours? I’ve also got the dragon kit with an Academy cupola, pretty much ready to paint. Hopefully something straight from the bottle.
Hi James. I used a can of Krylon Camo Colors spray. I think it was a Italian Olive.
Kenaicop
#384
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 03:09 AM UTC
No way! It went on okay?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 03:30 AM UTC
Yup, no issues. I use spray cans often for solid, single colored subjects.
Kenaicop
#384
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 03:36 AM UTC
Interesting, I’ll give it a try
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 04:10 AM UTC
Put it on in a couple or three light coats and you should have no issues.
Garrand
Joined: October 27, 2009
KitMaker: 195 posts
Armorama: 194 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 04:15 AM UTC
I used the Dragon kit too. I had enough spare parts about that it wasn't an issue. The only AM parts I had to buy were a new barrel & mantlet cover. I used the cupola from an Academy Israeli M60, fit very well, & I stole a searchlight from an old Tamiya M48 kit I had used for something else. I can't remember who made the barrel, but it was for the old Tamiya M48 to upgrade it to an -A5. I made the barrel fit with a little work. The mantlet cover came from Tiger Models. It was originally for the Dragon M48s, but fit here perfectly. I didn't have an issue with DS tracks; so far I have never had an issue with them. There is more you can do (like the drive sprockets, either aftermarket or mod the lightening holes yourself). I still think if you can get the Dragon kit at a decent price, & scrounged up the parts/get them from other modelers, it is a good starting point for a little ingenuity & kitbashing. It would be great if one of the other manufacturers came out with a Slick, but for now I enjoyed my build & it wasn't hard or expensive to do.
Damon.
Damon.
Petition2God
Joined: February 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,526 posts
Armorama: 1,294 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 08:10 AM UTC
Good responses, gents. Nikos, beautiful build! I'll definitely use yours as a reference if I get to build an M60 slick.
martinello
Joined: March 20, 2018
KitMaker: 24 posts
Armorama: 24 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 07:32 PM UTC
My turet from DEF Model is too small at the bottom, although the ceiling is OK.
Probably some error during casting. I already have a plan to connect the upper, resinous part of the turret with the plastic bottom from the takom CM-11 model.
I once bought a M60 dragon model and it went completely into trash. My model M60 will be CM-11 hull from takom and DEF turret . I use only aluminum wheels from the m60 dragon original ...
Probably some error during casting. I already have a plan to connect the upper, resinous part of the turret with the plastic bottom from the takom CM-11 model.
I once bought a M60 dragon model and it went completely into trash. My model M60 will be CM-11 hull from takom and DEF turret . I use only aluminum wheels from the m60 dragon original ...
Kenaicop
#384
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 1,316 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 03:29 AM UTC
You guys have inspired me to dig mine out and try to finish it. I also have the Dragon M67 Flame Tank built and ready for paint, but not happy at all with the commanders cupola, got to source an alternate one someplace
TheGreatPumpkin
Vendor
Joined: April 20, 2009
KitMaker: 690 posts
Armorama: 672 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 03:51 AM UTC
Hi James,
Just a quick note on using any M60A1 hull for an M60, you'll need to move the first return roller forward. From what I was told and found in my research, the M60 tended to "roll" when the gun was fired and when moving at speed, so a second shock absorber was added to the second roadwheel arm. This required the first return roller to be moved back. Considering where I was in my project when I learned this, I didn't make the change, but it is something to keep in mind. Hope that helps.
Regards,
Georg
P.S.- Here's a picture of the one I kitbashed before the Dragon kit came out.
Just a quick note on using any M60A1 hull for an M60, you'll need to move the first return roller forward. From what I was told and found in my research, the M60 tended to "roll" when the gun was fired and when moving at speed, so a second shock absorber was added to the second roadwheel arm. This required the first return roller to be moved back. Considering where I was in my project when I learned this, I didn't make the change, but it is something to keep in mind. Hope that helps.
Regards,
Georg
P.S.- Here's a picture of the one I kitbashed before the Dragon kit came out.
SWATdoc
#503
Joined: June 29, 2006
KitMaker: 147 posts
Armorama: 138 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 02:27 PM UTC
Hello Tom,
James would have the option of SLAC or TLAC depending upon the year of service in which he intends to model his M60. Early model M60's with the TXARNG circa 1983 had both types of air cleaners.
Respectfully,
Allen
James would have the option of SLAC or TLAC depending upon the year of service in which he intends to model his M60. Early model M60's with the TXARNG circa 1983 had both types of air cleaners.
Respectfully,
Allen
Petition2God
Joined: February 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,526 posts
Armorama: 1,294 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 09, 2020 - 06:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Just a quick note on using any M60A1 hull for an M60, you'll need to move the first return roller forward. From what I was told and found in my research, the M60 tended to "roll" when the gun was fired and when moving at speed, so a second shock absorber was added to the second roadwheel arm. This required the first return roller to be moved back. Considering where I was in my project when I learned this, I didn't make the change, but it is something to keep in mind. Hope that helps.
Regards,
Georg
James would have the option of SLAC or TLAC depending upon the year of service in which he intends to model his M60. Early model M60's with the TXARNG circa 1983 had both types of air cleaners.
Respectfully,
Allen
Thank you Georg and Allen for the info!
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 09, 2020 - 02:57 PM UTC
I'm planning on using the CMD turret set and an Esci hull.
KL
KL
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 09, 2020 - 06:28 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm planning on using the CMD turret set and an Esci hull.
KL
It was my plan as well, but now I also have a spare Takom hull, so maybe will use that one instead. But I also have the DEF set, so maybe I will put the CMD turret on the Esci hull and the DEF one on Takom... Options, options...
Oh, and I also have the Dragon kit, with is generally useless (yes, I know my name is in the instructions and I can only apologize for it...
), but the turret shell itself isn't all bad in fact and is also usable once you put it on a better hull and replace all fixtures on it, including the cupola, mantlet and gun. So I may need one more hull for that... (and luckily I have several ESCI/Italeri, AFV Club, Takom and Tamiya ones to choose from)
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