I have just gotten ROGs M60A3 and I'm planning on modeling it right at the time of retirement by the US Army and I'm wondering, are there any modifications that need to be done to the model and are there any am kits for the modifications. The model will be done as a tank from 1/635 Armor
Ch

OOB it should be OK. I commanded one of the last units in USAREUR (other than the OPFOR) to use the M60A3TTS operationally. We turned ours in during the late summer 1989 and the Berlin Brigade transitioned right after we did.

Depending on the amount of use and when it was rebuilt or manufactured into an M60A3, it could have finned aluminum road wheels (as depicted in the old Esci M60A3) or the smooth road wheels in the Revell kit. My tank had a mixture of the two with the majority of them being smooth.

As far as aftermarket, Armo makes an aluminum barrel (72772). If you click on this link, http://www.smallscalemodelling.dk/Revell/03140#upgradeslink and then click on the upgrades link, you can see what's available for this kit.

An ARNG tank like the 1-635 Armor would probably have less wear and tear than a tank in use by the active Army.

Thes pictures are from 1988:

Thx, Sabot. On the ROG kit, I noticed that where the barrell attaches to the mantlet it is ribbed but, I remember on the 60A3 that area is smooth. Was that part of the last modifications when the program ended?
Ch

If you look at the top photo, the area next to the brown towel, you will see the ribbed portion of the mantlet. The ribbed portion is canvas with wire underneath that is part of the mantlet cover. The barrel itself is smooth.

Gary, I was in HHC 69 INF/AR before the Brigade cased their colors to become the 130FA, BTW, do you remember your track number? Gary, Sabot, thx, for the help and info
Ch

Gary, whats the difference btwn the M1A1 and the M1P
Ch

The M1IP is just an updated M1 with the turret basket on the rear and some other minor changes.

So if I understood you correctly the ROG M60A3 is not a reissue of the Esci kit? Does it improve on the Esci kit shortcomings or have issues of its own?

Correct, other than both being M60A3 tanks, both kits are totally different. Each has its own shortcomings. Revell has good tracks with interior detail and separate (not paired) road wheels. Esci has some sharper hull detail parts molded separately. Revell's barrel is better as is the rest of the turret.

Revell's road wheels are smooth steel ones, Esci's has the finned aluminum wheels.