I'm going to throw in as much as I know about modeling this tank. Yes the kit sits to high on the chassis when assemblied. I measured the M48A2 outside of the Patton museum. It sat 2 inches lower than the Tamiya kit. I also measured the M48A3 inside the museum and it too also sat 2 inches lower than the Tamiya kit.(That M48A3 is a running tank) To be honest I have only done this once on the kit. It is a true pain in the a$$ to do so. I'm not really sure if any one can tell when they look at it. I have read on the internet that the turret is to low too. I don't think it is, so I'm not going to worry about that. Here is a list of what I have planned:
1) Recontour the front hull
2) Fill the and plug the lower hull holes
3) Recontour the turret by the loaders hatch
4) Lower the suspension a scale 2 inches :pinch:
5) Add missing bolts to the fenders
6) Scratch new fender braces
7) Add casting texture to the lower, upper hull
8) bring the search light down in size and replace molded in detail
9) Add lift rings to the commaders coupla
10) Fill the gap in the mantlet cover
11) Add casting numbers to the turret and hull
12) Scratch new handle and springs on the loaders hatch
13) Remove the lip around the loaders hatch on the turret
14) Add welds and casting texture to the engine deck
15) Add casting texture to the commander coupla
16) Add three holes to the drive sprocket (mud chutes)
17) More than likely scratch new fender tool boxes
18) Add detailing to the turret basket
19) Move the front upper hull lift rings (up and back about 1/4 of an inch)
20) Move the Fire extinguisher pull handles forward (about 1/4 of an inch)
21) Change the suspension shock mounts
22) Add drip rail to the lower turret
23) Scratch build new tow cable brackets
24) Recontour the upper hull in front of the drivers hatch
25) Thin kit or scratch new headlight gaurds
26) Detail front search light gaurd
27) Add rear search light gaurd
28) Add rear search light brackets
29) Add AFV Club's track
I know I'm forgeting some other things to do. I will address them when I get to them.
Tank builder I'll get your vehicle history next time around
I always have to have lots and lots of pictures to work from.
http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp320/29ToyA/M48/
I think I have most of the Patton books made
Front lower hull, is shallow?
M48A2 lower front
Out of the box Tamiya kit lower front
It needs to be built up any way a person wants. I like a big blob of 3M spot putty. Yep lots of sanding, but that is how I figured out how to do it.
Time to let it sit for a couple of days.
Moving to the turret, the lip around the loaders hatch is a little high and should be knocked down.
I file and scrape with a knife. I deepen the water run off grove with a saw. Then recontour the left side of the turret just a little.
I think I messed up a bit on the right side and took to much off.
Fire away with questions. I'll do my best to answer them.