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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Good M-60 kit?
Rockfall
#202
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 08:24 PM UTC
Hi folks,

Just gathering some early info on a future project. I was at CFB Borden the other day to get some pictures of the vehicles they have on display. While driving around I saw a M-60 that I hadn't seen before. It has piqued my interest in building one of these things.

I know that there are a few different kits on the market of this tank but which is the best? I would ideally like something from a 70's - 80's (NATO) timeframe but any info at all on any of them would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Jeff
Drader
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Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 08:37 PM UTC
Probably the best is the ESCI M60, which has been reissued by Italeri and recently by Revell.

Tamiya's ones are based on their old M60A1 from the early 70s and Academy's are clearly derived from Tamiya.

David
Rockfall
#202
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 09:18 PM UTC


Quoted Text

Probably the best is the ESCI M60, which has been reissued by Italeri and recently by Revell.

Tamiya's ones are based on their old M60A1 from the early 70s and Academy's are clearly derived from Tamiya.

David





Quoted Text

The best one out there is the ESCI/AMT/Italeri/Revell M60. They are all off the same basic kit the, old ESCI M60A1. ESCI did a M60A1, M60A3, and an Israeli M60A1 w/Blazer ERA (that was their name for it). Italeri rereleased the Israeli M60A1 and Revell did the M60A3. There are differences, this is where reserch comes in, so you have to decide who and when you want to build.


Thanks for the info. That was what I was looking for. It always amazes me the linneage of these kits.


Quoted Text

Just tossing out a 70's - 80's (NATO) timeframe, can cover some ground.


Yeah it is a broad timeframe but i guess what I was getting at was I wasn't to fussy at what type I just wanted a good kit.


Thanks again,

Jeff
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 10:54 PM UTC
Italeri reissued two of the old Esci kits, the IDF M60A1 Blazer as stated above and the US Army M60A1 (kit #6397). If you intend on building out-of-box, the Blazer kit only gets you the IDF version. The main difference between the two are the thermal wrapped barrel for the Blazer vs. a plain barrel in the US M60A1 kit. Both kits only come with the early style air cleaners which could limit your time frames (if building OOB).

Likewise the Revell of Germany M60A3 builds into a mid to late 80s US Army tank because of the M60A3-specific thermal shrouded barrel. The kit includes later style air cleaners. Adding a plain barrel to this kit would have given us an M60A1 RISE/Passive.

This could have easily have been released as a 3 in 1 kit with a little foresight. The differences are just a handful of parts.
TopSmith
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Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
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Posted: Monday, November 20, 2006 - 03:55 AM UTC
It seams to me you are talking about an M60A3 from the 80's. Having put together several of these kits I would recommend buying Tamiyas M60A3 and Escis M60A1. Use the basic Esci hull and upgrade it with the A3 hull parts from Tamiyas A3. Use the Tamiya turret because it is more accurate. Best of luck!
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Monday, November 20, 2006 - 01:30 PM UTC

Quoted Text

It seams to me you are talking about an M60A3 from the 80's. Having put together several of these kits I would recommend buying Tamiyas M60A3 and Escis M60A1. Use the basic Esci hull and upgrade it with the A3 hull parts from Tamiyas A3. Use the Tamiya turret because it is more accurate. Best of luck!

The Tamiya turret shell is accurate for a final production batch vehicle. The turret casting was modified in the late 70's, eliminating the undercut at the turret sides at the bottom edge where it meets the turret ring. The Esci/Ertl/AMT--and now Italeri/Revell--turret looks quite good for an A1. The Tamiya and Academy kits also include the later air cleaners and the steel road wheels. The Esci kit depicts the aluminum wheels.
TopSmith
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Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 04:00 AM UTC
The Esci M60A1 guntube is incorrect. The bore evacuator forward is OK but The Area Between the turret and the bore evacuator has the wrong shape. It does not have the correct taper.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 05:02 AM UTC
Tamiya's M60A3 is OOP, but the Tamiya USMC M60A1 w/ERA contains 95% of the M60A3 kit (it replaces the original aluminum road wheels with smooth steel wheels).
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