I have completed my M60A2 CBSS. Thanks to all who helped me out with advice and referances along the way.

For a recap of the build, I used the Tamiya M60A2 turret, Revell (ex-Esci) M60A3 hull (since it is the best one on the market), and a resin CBSS Bulge from fellow modeler Robert Skipper. I added new spot light and mount from an M48A3, new barrel without bore evac and correct length (kit one is 3mm too short), added cast texture to the turret and commander's cupola, forge mark and casting numbers to turret side, clips for tow cable, cut mud relief holes in sprockets, made tow cables out of ones from another kit and ship's rigging rope, added wipers to the GPS and Commander's sight, etc., etc. I used the octagonal block length and link track from the A3 kit as well.

You can see and read more about the build here, in the Rivet Review Board forum.

I finished it in European Temperate MERDC scheme and custom made the markings for tank # 15, A Company, 1st Bn, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, stationed in West Germany in the late 1970's. I used a little artisctic license and named it "Death Dealer" and added an Ace of Spades card with the Grim Reaper on it that I found on the internet to the turret sides. I made all the decals on my home computer/printer and printed them onto clear decal film by Papilio art supplies.

Without further ado:






More here.

Very nice Gino. Was the camo done free hand because i think its really well done either way. I like the subtle weathering done on the tracks as well. Tanks that often deployed will not have tracks that are badly rusted.

Based on the closeup photos, it looks like you dry brushed the turret?

Great looking decals!

Love it nice job on the Starship.

Nice Job,Gino.
But.
Except for maintenence on the gun trunnions,all of our A2's had the mantlet cover on.In my entire time in Germany I only saw one removed during maintenence.
Did you drill tiny holes straight down into those projections on top of the turret and coupola? That was where the Conduct of fire training apperatus was mounted for missle training.
Out a scale 2x4 between the headlight guards,in that space where the support angles back to the hull.
Grind down and remove the fuel filler cap on the left side of the hul,we only had 1.
put 2 small grooves,between the center and side driver's periscopes.
Rust up the crew heater exhaust,it stayed neatly painted about > < this long...
Exellent work on the track,rear sandshields,and Bustle rack.Add some spare track if you can,hang it on the rails opposite the grenade launcher area. (++) (++)

Beautiful! love the camo job you've done

Thanks, Glad you guys like it.

Jazza, the camo was done freehand with my old trusty Pasche H model airbrush. I did lightly drybrush the whole vehicle, it shows up well on the turret with the cast texture there.

Tankcarl, most of what you pointed out is there, the COFT mounting points are bored out and the drian lines are there between the driver's periscopes, they are molded into the kit hull. I still may put the mantlet cover on, I like how it looks without it though. Not sure how you mean with the 2x4, do you mean across the front hull, behind the light guards? Good catch on the heater exhaust, I forgot to rust it up a bit. Didn't know about only having one fuel filler cap. May be too late to try and remove it now, oh well.

I plan on adding stowage, at a later date, to include crew gear, spare track, and a spare road wheel.

Thanks for the pointers though.

Very nice Gino

I saw your previous post on the build and was mighty impressed with all the work you put in, and now delighted to see the finished article , nice cammo and the markings are superb.

Ive never seen or read much about the M60a2 prior to yours and you have me intruiged.
Do you have any links you could post ?
I would love to have more info, im curious about the turret layout , main armament etc.

thanks

Ian

Yes, that is a stunning camo job! I've never seen an American tank with such! Are there any links to references because I have that very same tank and now after seeing yours an OD paint scheme just won't look the same now!


Jeff

Another great build, Gino. Outstanding paint job.

Cheers
Erik

very nice and the camouflage is superb..the top view picture shows it all. thanks for sharing.

Yet again nothing less than what I expect from you. Awesome job on converting and building a little seen model. I really enjoyed watching this build.

Jeff

Yeah, most M60 series tanks had either a 2x4 placed behind the headlight guards (to assist in climbing up on the tank or a length of chain stretched between them attached with a bolt that was on the headlight guard angle iron. Just made it easier to climb up.

Gino,
the 2 x 4 goes in the space between the angled leg from the brushguard to the hull. and it spans the space between the guards,it helped climbing up on a sli[ppery front slope. (++) (++)

Thanks all. I did most of my research online and also used the great article by Jim "Gun Truck" Lewis on his M60A2 build. Here are some links:

Guntruck's M60A2, which has a link to referance pic as well.

M60A2 page at Tanx Heaven

M60A2 at Toadman's Tank pics

General M60A2 info:
Global Security.org
Patton-Mania

Now I got the 2x4 piece, never seen it like that, but it does make sense, good idea.

Thanks for the links Gino ,very interesting reading

Ian

Gino, nice build. Just out of curiosity, how would one open the rear grill doors? It looks like the box/hull extension for the air bottles would interfer with them. Might just be the camera angle though. Love the paint scheme. "Q"

Nice work Gino - and thanks for mentioning my old miniature. When you mentioned yours, I dug out the photos again - it made me want to revisit the M60A2 and give it another go around. A couple of tankers who crewed "Alvin" emailed me a few years ago and gave me information and details that made the tank more interesting.

I think I might do another one for next year's Patton Campaign - probably not "Alvin" - but one for sure in the MERDEC scheme again. It looks "right" for the 'A2.

Very nice job!

Gunnie

Thanks Matt and Gunnie. Yup, yours was an ispiration for mine as well. Would love to see you do another with all the bells and whistles.

Matt, the covers on top of the extension are connected to the rear, louvered doors. When the doors are opened, the covers open with them.

Tankcarl,
Decided to take your advice, and the advice of others, and added the mantlet cover for the main gun and the M85 Commander's MG. I made them out of facial tissue soaked in diluted white glue, then painted. What do you think?



More with the mantlet covers here.

I had a really good link with color references to this on specific vehicles, but it's dead. Google "MERDC" and there are a couple good references on this camo pattern.

Yeah,that's the ticket! (++) (++)

Thanks, that's what I was striving for. Glad you like it.

Look's great. I like the models with the delicate weathering, without of thick layer of mud .

Beautiful vehicle Gino congrats!
One question, the M60 from Italeri it´s the same of Revell of Germany?
Best regards

Thanks for the compliments.




Basically the same kit, however, the Italeri version is an M60A1. It is from the same ex-Esci molds and has most of the same parts though. The Revell one comes with an extra sprue that has the A3 specific parts and better decals.