Dragon M48A3 Mod B Viet Nam 11th Armored 1969

[Sharkmouth]

Well, I took some photographs this morning, hopefully they will help and not be too late:

Extreme close up images like these help me find gaps which I will fill with thick CA at this point.

The seam seen at the left is hidden behind the mud guards.

The engine deck needs work in the form of 'cake frosting' welds, done with Gunze Sangyo's Liquid Putty, and casting surfaces for which I use Mr. Surfacer 1000, also from Gunze Sangyo.

Attach the piece to eliminate the seam and add casting texture. I need to add the casting marks (I chose the front one, option 1) and then add a second coat of Mr. Surfacer 100.

I blame Mr. T's M103 build for having me start this kit!
:evil:

Hopefully, it will end up like this:

Regards,

 

[Sherman 18]

Your build is looking good Saul!

 

[Sherman 18]

Reference photos

this is a M48A2 engine deck

M60 Slick engine deck

M48 lower hull details

M48A2 turret details

M48 turret details

 

[Sherman 18]

More progress last night

I have to say my biggest disappointment with the kit is the molded on storage box handles

 

[SA Dave]

Nice progress

 

[Sherman 18]

Nice progress

Thanks Dave!

 

[MrT]

Yep I'm

 

[Sherman 18]

Yep I'm

Thanks

 

[lupanzer]

Fantastic thread...full of references

Luiz

 

[Sherman 18]

Fantastic thread...full of references

Luiz

Thanks Luiz.

I just dig it when Saul throws in

 

[Gator]

Nice progress.

 

[Sherman 18]

Nice progress.

Thanks!

 

[moon puppy]

More progress last night

I have to say my biggest disappointment with the kit is the molded on storage box handles

Don't know how I overlooked your update Jeff, mighty fine construction going on here. :drinks

 

[Sherman 18]

Don't know how I overlooked your update Jeff, mighty fine construction going on here. :drinks

Thanks MP

 

[Sharkmouth]

I have to say my biggest disappointment with the kit is the molded on storage box handles

That is strange especially since Italeri's Grand Old M47 has them separately. If you want flat and lifeless, there are some from Eduard but I have a set from Tiger Models for my build:

Regards,

 

[SA Dave]

Looking nice Jeff

 

[jknaus]

Very very cool . Love seeing how you bring this up a few notches in detailing to a whole other level.
James

 

[Sherman 18]

Very very cool . Love seeing how you bring this up a few notches in detailing to a whole other level.
James

Thanks James!

 

[Sherman 18]

Looking nice Jeff

Thanks Dave!

 

[Sherman 18]

I took advantage of getting off with a half shift tonight

added casting texture, casting marks and numbers to the gun mantel

also drilled a hole in each of the search light mounts

I started to scratch some new storage boxes for the fenders. Not that the kit ones are wrong. I just find it hard to do damage to them. (more to come)

Last is making a filler piece for the bottom of the turret race.

First the spot that needs filled

Next I rubbed the edges with a color pencil

I then use scotch tape and cover the spot

Taking the tape and transfer it to sheet plastic

Cut it the piece out, pull the tape and test fit. The part still needs some filing, but hope someone has not seen that before.