1985 ? The Last Patton
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/3/4/6/1387346-24952-96-720.jpg)
I have built Takom’s M46, M47 and M60A1. I had been hoping that they would release some M48s. My patience has been rewarded.
The link and length tracks in the M46 and M47 kits are OK. The flexible vinyl tracks in the M60 kits are fantastic. I had high hopes they would continue that in their M48 kits. Alas, I am greatly saddened…...
The link and length tracks in the M46 and M47 kits are OK. The flexible vinyl tracks in the M60 kits are fantastic. I had high hopes they would continue that in their M48 kits. Alas, I am greatly saddened…...
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/3/4/7/1387347-24952-46-720.jpg)
Modified the build sequence to concentrate on just the running gear to start. Driver’s left side first.
Step 1. Fit Parts K7, K8, K24, K25, and J14s to the lower hull. There is some play in placement.
Step 1. Fit Parts K7, K8, K24, K25, and J14s to the lower hull. There is some play in placement.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/3/4/8/1387348-24952-29-720.jpg)
Steps 6 and 8. Assembled the road wheels and drive sprockets. A little flash but a good fit.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/3/4/9/1387349-24952-31-720.jpg)
I have little desire for a working suspension and zero desire to mess with the six-parts-per-link, 78 links per side track… 468 parts that have to be removed, cleaned and fitted precisely per side.
So I am modifying the working suspension for static display using vinyl tracks from Takom’s M60 kits.
My first attempt using the torsion bars in the working configuration.... Not great.
So I am modifying the working suspension for static display using vinyl tracks from Takom’s M60 kits.
My first attempt using the torsion bars in the working configuration.... Not great.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/3/5/0/1387350-24952-31-720.jpg)
Most of the suspension parts have a loose fit when assembling. Lots of detail that might not be all that visible.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/3/5/1/1387351-24952-65-720.jpg)
Found the T142 tracks from Takom’s 2137 M60A3 on eBay.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/3/5/3/1387353-24952-79-720.jpg)
Once I had the running gear installed I tested the fit. About three links too long.
I cut three links off on the connector end. I used a tailoring pin to poke a hole through the three connectors and then used it as the track pin. Worked like a charm…..
I cut three links off on the connector end. I used a tailoring pin to poke a hole through the three connectors and then used it as the track pin. Worked like a charm…..
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/3/5/2/1387352-24952-67-720.jpg)
Decided to only use the full torsion bars for the first and last road wheel stations as they will act as markers for aligning the middle road wheels.
Cut the middle torsion bars from the hull.
Cut the thin bit of the middle torsion bars off and glued the stubs to their swing arms (H5)
Once the first and last road wheel stations are dry, attached all the road wheels to their swing arms.
Mounted middle road wheel with swing arms on the hull and applied glue.
Set the hull up-right on a flat surface to let the middle wheels dry level.
Results are good enough. I will do better on the other side…..
Cut the middle torsion bars from the hull.
Cut the thin bit of the middle torsion bars off and glued the stubs to their swing arms (H5)
Once the first and last road wheel stations are dry, attached all the road wheels to their swing arms.
Mounted middle road wheel with swing arms on the hull and applied glue.
Set the hull up-right on a flat surface to let the middle wheels dry level.
Results are good enough. I will do better on the other side…..
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/3/5/4/1387354-24952-54-720.jpg)
The other side, second attempt. No working torsion bars.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/3/5/6/1387356-24952-29-720.jpg)
Eye-balled a middle-ish position for the swing arms and glued everything down.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/3/5/7/1387357-24952-77-720.jpg)
The first side with fender fitted. Good enough.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/3/5/5/1387355-24952-54-720.jpg)
The second side. Better.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/3/6/3/1387363-24952-56-720.jpg)
Started planning the turret construction. Red arrows point to a couple of mounting points that should be removed but are not mentioned in the instructions.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/3/6/4/1387364-24952-75-720.jpg)
Assemble the fenders in their entirety to make sure everything is square when the glue dries. Some of the mounting tabs slots need a larger amount of cleanup than others.
At this stage, they can be fitted and removed. The fit when mounted is good and probably won't need to be glued on.
At this stage, they can be fitted and removed. The fit when mounted is good and probably won't need to be glued on.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/3/9/4/1388394-24952-10-720.jpg)
Step 9. Fit was sometimes good and somethimes not... Make sure to install B31-B36, B37-B40, B34-B35, and B38-B39 at the same time. The completed fenders are now harder to install and remove (they don't flex so much).
Next time, I will leave off Parts A3, A4 and T8, T9 until after the running and fenders are permanently mounted.
Next time, I will leave off Parts A3, A4 and T8, T9 until after the running and fenders are permanently mounted.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/3/9/2/1388392-24952-47-720.jpg)
I installed K3 on to the fender itself as opposed to the hull.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/3/9/3/1388393-24952-84-720.jpg)
As well as K4.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/8/7/8/1388878-24952-41-720.jpg)
Step 19. Dread.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/8/7/9/1388879-24952-90-720.jpg)
Wrestling the bear....
Its hard to work on the stowage basket off of the turret. Getting everything to line up is ..... challenging.
Next time, I will glue D31 and D32 onto the turret first with a slow drying glue. I will then glue on D72 and let it dry (constantly checking alingment).
Its hard to work on the stowage basket off of the turret. Getting everything to line up is ..... challenging.
Next time, I will glue D31 and D32 onto the turret first with a slow drying glue. I will then glue on D72 and let it dry (constantly checking alingment).
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/8/7/7/1388877-24952-21-720.jpg)
And let dry for 24 hours.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/5/0/8/1389508-24952-25-720.jpg)
Checking the fit of the commander's hatch and the main gun.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/5/0/7/1389507-24952-97-720.jpg)
The top rail of the stowage basket is on. Festonning various bits about the turret while waiting for the stowage bin to dry.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/5/0/9/1389509-24952-62-720.jpg)
The fit of most turret bits is mostly good. I trimmed the "legs" of the smoke grenade box by approximately half. In this photo, I can still see the hollowness of those boxes. Might need to trim them some more (or plan ahead and put backs on the boxes).
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/3/9/9/1391399-24952-60-720.jpg)
The instructions would have you assemble the headlight guards and then mount them. I mounted T50 and T51 to the hull, then T13 and T24, and then T12 and T23 while the glue is still drying. I gently prodded everything into position and set aside to dry. Big honking seem on top of the guards....
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/4/0/0/1391400-24952-58-720.jpg)
Progress is being made.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/3/9/8/1391398-24952-61-720.jpg)
The rear hull lifting eyelets (K28 and K29) might be labelled backwards. I don't known for sure but they seemed to fit better on the opposite sides. The infantry phone box mount looks like it might be missing something. I will leave the storeage box handle off until the very end.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/4/0/4/1391404-24952-84-720.jpg)
Patching seams, adding more dodads, and the main gun is on.
Turns out that Part K1 shouldn't be mounted, I don't what it is but the hose-sticky-up part can be snipped off leaving just the mounting plate base.
Turns out that Part K1 shouldn't be mounted, I don't what it is but the hose-sticky-up part can be snipped off leaving just the mounting plate base.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/4/0/3/1391403-24952-59-720.jpg)
Still filling seams on the stowage basket. The hull is almost finished and the turret is coming along nicely.
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/1/4/4/1393144-24952-32-720.jpg)
Much bad language was deployed during the fitting of photo etch screens... More will follow.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/3/8/2/1393382-24952-29-720.jpg)
I failed to fully drill out the mounting hole for the .50cal and it's crooked....
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/3/8/1/1393381-24952-77-720.jpg)
Not happy with the positions of Parts D59 and D60. They look like they are "splayed out" to me.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/1/8/9/1396189-24952-73-720.jpg)
No instructions on the tow cable's length. So I cut the provided cable in half and tried that. Too long by the length of the plastic end. So I tried again.
(Edit. The instructions do show a length (73mm) for the tow cables in Step 18.)
(Edit. The instructions do show a length (73mm) for the tow cables in Step 18.)
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/1/8/3/1396183-24952-79-720.jpg)
The basket is done.
My tow cables don't look like the real thing.... There should be a couple of backets holding the tow cables in position but they won't be very visable when done. So, meh...
My tow cables don't look like the real thing.... There should be a couple of backets holding the tow cables in position but they won't be very visable when done. So, meh...
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/1/8/4/1396184-24952-55-720.jpg)
Starting to think about stowage for the stowage basket. Need a spare road wheel and some track pads for the outside.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/2/9/7/1399297-24952-12-720.jpg)
So, just about done. Still a few gapes and holes to be filled. Ordering some metal anntenas and I want to show the smoke dischargers loaded, so I need to figure out that.
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/2/9/8/1399298-24952-19-720.jpg)
I was going to build this as a US Army vehicle in Korea in the 80s. But upon inspection of the kit and checking of references that wasn't going to work due to a lack of a searchlight. Takom's M48A3 kit has one (Spruce S) and I thought about hunting around on the Internet to find one but I just wanted to get started now.
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/2/9/9/1399299-24952-35-720.jpg)
I notice the extra stuff that come with the kit that I think is from Takom's "Brave Tiger" kits. So my build is a "What-If" build of an M48A5 with a gunnery upgrade. Thermal shroud on the barrel, laser rangefinder, wind sensor, thermal sights, and a FN MAG machine gun for the loader. I only had to scratch-build the laser sight cover, everything else is in the box.
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/2/9/6/1399296-24952-56-720.jpg)
I'm glad I built this kit but it was a bit of a slog. My mental health track "downgrade" worked well but I was struck by the thought that some things were needless complex.
I would recommend this kit with the proviso that you need to be paying attention during the build and to check your references before you start glueing stuff together....
I would recommend this kit with the proviso that you need to be paying attention during the build and to check your references before you start glueing stuff together....
评论
18 23 January 2023, 03:45 - 私信
![](/profiles/img/99769-744-s.jpg)
looking forward to seeing more of your build ,I also recently acquired this kit and have not opened yet Those are the tracks it comes with ?
23 January 2023, 04:54
![](/profiles/img/24952-218-s.jpg)
No, those are not the tracks that come with the kit. The kit has a "moveable" suspension with six parts per link, 78 links per side, 468 parts that have to be removed, cleaned and fitted precisely per side. You might want to take a look inside the box...
23 January 2023, 05:07
![](/profiles/img/63228-446-s.jpg)
Great, I bought one too. I prefer plastic or metal tracks and solid suspension.
23 January 2023, 11:16
![](/profiles/img/99769-744-s.jpg)
gee thanks for replying and the info Michael sorry to have wasted your time . I don't open or "un-Box" every kit as soon as I receive it ..just to see what it Looks like . good luck with that build
23 January 2023, 18:12
![](/profiles/img/24952-218-s.jpg)
Mona. No problem and you are not wasting my time. I post here to help other modellers out. If you check the instructions posted here you can get some insight into building this kit without having to pop the lid.
26 January 2023, 05:06
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Takom M48A5