Difference between Tamiya's M60A1 and M60A3 Patton

[TheNordus]

Hello, I've been looking for an M60 Patton model kit, and I ordered the M60A3 kit from Tamiya through my local store, but unfortunately due to a hiccup by the provider they sent the M60A1 "limited edition" kit instead, and I was wondering if anyone knows if there were any major differences between these two kits, or if the M60A3 only included an extra sprue of A3 parts on top of the regular components supplied in the previous kit?
Frankly the price difference between the two kits is rather astounding, with the A1 kit costing around 20 euros and the A3 kit costing 43 euros, but I want to know if I'm missing out by not waiting for the newer kit.

[Kevthemodeller]

Look here https://www.scalemates.com/search.php?f ... ya+m60*and here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M60_Patton
Like most variants there can be major or minor changes it all depends what you want.

[TheNordus]

Mostly I just wanted to know if I was missing any huge leaps in modelling technology by buying the earlier kit. Most of all I want a good kit straight out of the box, as I'm probably going for an alternate history scenario when I build it.

[Kevthemodeller]

Mostly I just wanted to know if I was missing any huge leaps in modelling technology by buying the earlier kit. Most of all I want a good kit straight out of the box, as I'm probably going for an alternate history scenario when I build it.

The scalemates time line for Tamiya's M60 A1 - 3 doesn't list a limited edition, most kits are based on the same basic kit the time line shows just new parts and rebox not retool which would indicate improvement. I'd say the 1970 kit is pretty much the same as the 88 A3 kit less a few parts which would only be to build an A3 version.

[TheNordus]

Thanks, that was what I suspected, I just wanted to hear if anybody here had some first-hand knowledge. The "Limited Edition" is a limited re-release of the old 70's kit with cementable tracks, I presume.

[Kevthemodeller]

That quite possible, I would point out I've got no experience with this particular kit though.

[SteelScooter]

I'd just like to add that the recent AFV Club Kits of the M60A1 and M60A3 are fantastic and at another level compared to the old Tamiya and ESCI/ERTL offerings. I have the M60A1 and it is the best out there by a country mile.

BTW the main difference between the A3 and A1 are improved fire control systems (laser based rangefinder, ballistic computer and a turret stabilization system) and turret smoke launchers on the later A3.