Tamiya M60a1 with Reactive Armor

Post by **NovYank** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:16 am

I just wanted to get this post down so I don't forget it later. Much more will be done to it when I have time. As of late I've been very busy, I'll donate more to this post when I;
a) Actually receive the model
b) Wrap my head around what I want this tank to be

I do have a question for you fine gentlemen.

To truly test my skills I want to get an engine set for this kit. There are two options that I have which are the set from Verlinden. I don't particularly like Verlinden, their resin is very stiff plus it's harder to work with than a bull that was poked with a cattle prod, and they're instructions for larger accessories tend to be a bit annoying.

My other choice is Legend Productions. I do adore Legend but this kit would in itself cost more than the M60 itself. Now you all see my major malfunction in life. If anyone has any experience or knowledge about either of these two kits it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all for reading and any suggestions.

-Yank

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 9:31 am

I think the choice of what option you go for should be yours alone lol. Its not our money, or our craft knife working the resin!

If the Verlinden one is the financially sensible option, go with that, if you had the means to get the Legend one, do that.

I look forward to seeing an M60 done up, very iconic Cold War tank until the early Abrams came along.

Post by **gosselin2112** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:35 pm

Good point, Gav. Would you consider scratch building the engine? I know it sounds crazy, but it does push your model skills to a new level. Maybe a little cheaper, however, you'll be putting more time and effort into the model. Again, it's your model - you decide what is good for you. Model on!

Russ

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 9:36 pm

Gav0909 wrote:I think the choice of what option you go for should be yours alone lol. Its not our money, or our craft knife working the resin!

If the Verlinden one is the financially sensible option, go with that, if you had the means to get the Legend one, do that.

I look forward to seeing an M60 done up, very iconic Cold War tank until the early Abrams came along.

Tough choice, but I agree with Gav...

I'm a tank fan myself, so I realy looking forward to see this build!
Happy modelling!

Post by **NovYank** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:32 am

Thanks for the reply Gav. My intent was to see if anyone had any experience with either kits, just to see which one is easier to deal with.

Oh and I can't forget good ol' Russ. I definitely won't scratch the engine, you overestimate me good sir.

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:36 am

NovYank wrote:Thanks for the reply Gav. My intent was to see if anyone had any experience with either kits, just to see which one is easier to deal with.

Oh and I can't forget good ol' Russ. I definitely won't scratch the engine, you overestimate me good sir.

Ahhh give it a go

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:43 pm

I forgot to mention this before but this is in fact my first kit. I started modelling a little over a year ago with this kit. I'd post it up here but the tank is horrendous because it was used as a platform for all of my modelling experiments. But this kit will be different lol.

This is a very easy kit to build. This is what I've done so far in my first sitting. It should only take a few more to completely build this kit.

When I get the Resin Engine set This whole area will be gone.

Underbelly.

No explosive reactive yet.

See ya next time.

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 9:36 pm

More progress on the M60.

While this kit is a relatively easy build, it still has its points were Tamiya messed up. The two parts of the turret makes a pretty ugly seam line that needs some putty, same with the gun mantle, and on the both sides of the hull.

Just really added the barrel and the smoke dischargers:

Now here's the first kit I ever made ever. Go gentle on little me I was young and ignorant:

Post by **DC87** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:04 pm

''Young and ignorant'' but very very skilled, really nice first build - good enough to be your 100th

Nice M60.

Post by **Paul** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:18 pm

Wow that's a brilliant model, love the weathering.

http://www.youtube.com/user/longlance67 · Post by **longlance67** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:19 pm

Very nice, great paint and wathering job

top notch work

Shane.

Post by **Jamesday1998** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:08 pm

wow thats your first model that makes mine look like poo

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:00 am

Excellent job buddy

That armour is awesome!

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Nov 03, 2013 1:13 am

I completed the ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) blocks for the turret today. Tamiya made it very simple. Except for the instructions, they have you glue on the base mount for the ERA before you glue on the ERA. Now I fell victim to this when I built my first model and it was not fun. While these pics may have the ERA mounted, I assure you that it all of the ERA is dry mounted and the mantle piece is even falling off a little bit. I sub-assembled it so it's easier when I paint the 3-tone NATO scheme on the tank itself, then I paint the ERA blocks Olive green.

To any admin, I was wondering if I could put this tank in the US? I was thinking of having it on the range or on qualification as a diorama. I got the perfect rocks for the dusty gravel that comprises most of the US's domestic ranges. Anywho, there's not much more to do, and painting should be easy (especially when ERA blocks cover most of the tank).

Regards,

-Nate

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:28 pm

I love the m60, and yours is looking great dude!

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:49 pm

So I received something special in the mail today...

It took its time in the post, but I have it now and all is good. I say all is good except the fact that this kit is from Verlinden. I don't particularly like Verlinden, except their figures those aren't that bad. I have to rant about their resin, it's brittle and it honestly smells terrible. I'm not saying that resin needs to smell like fresh daisies, but this resin smells like straight gasoline. Pungent gasoline that sticks in your nose for about an hour or so.

Also the way they cast is completely ridiculous. While they follow the standard resin pour plug formula, for larger flat pieces they decide to put these pieces on top of a sheet of flat resin. I'm probably describing this terribly but anyone who has had to deal with these pieces knows the issue facing me.

It's time to stop complaining and show you fine gentlemen what I have been able to accomplish when I wasn't cursing Verlinden. Here is the beginning stages of me cutting away the rear hull in order to expose the engine compartment.

Now I dryfitted some resin pieces to give a general sense of what it would look like. There's still a long way to go.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 2:56 am

Looking good dude.

That engine block looks nice.

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:23 pm

That am engine is awesome!

Good choice!
And Good luck!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:35 pm

Oh wow that engine and compartment looks awesome! Hopefully you can overcome the resin issues and get a good result out of it!

Re: the colour scheme, yes a US based scheme so long as it was used during the Cold War period is fine mate.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:16 pm

Oh my Lord !

This is looking amazing !

Keep up the good work !

That resin looks awesome.... Yeah I know about those bars on Flat pieces... that's to keep flat surfaces FLAT and eliminates Air-bubbles...
and facilitate Resin flow !

and yes... Their Resin Sticks to the high heavens! VOC is terrible and you should let that stuff breath and vent off those VOC outside... Terrible stuff !
after a few hrs.. your Nose doesn't register it anymore... but its still there... !

Same goes for many other manufacturers... when they use Industrial Resins !
and yes... Theirs is very very Brittle ! Handle with care !

all the best to you !

Post by **spruecutter** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 11:26 pm

It's looking great, some nice detail there and a fine build.

The addition of the engine should really make a difference

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:40 pm

Good news gents. I have cut away most of what I need to. The rear of the hull is completely gone and same with the rear engine grills. I was becoming mad when cutting away all the styrene. All that is needed is a few touch ups, some putty and a little smoothing down.

It's all coming to shape. Again I dry fitted the engine kit parts to get a sense of what it would look like:

Post by **JayCub** » Sun Nov 24, 2013 10:23 pm

Great build log, as i didn't know about reactive armour i had a look on youtube, and you can see where its early origins came from.... the engine compartment, engine and your work is really paying off and i admire the time and effort you have put into your build.

Tom

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Nov 24, 2013 10:34 pm

JayCub wrote:Great build log, as i didn't know about reactive armour i had a look on youtube, and you can see where its early origins came from.... the engine compartment, engine and your work is really paying off and i admire the time and effort you have put into your build.

Tom

Reactive armor came up because of those crafty Russians. With their RPG's and their fancy shaped charges make it possible for anyone from a soldier to a farmer being able to take down a multi-million dollar tank and its crew.

The reactive armor not only attempts to blow the incoming round away from the tank, it also detonates the RPG away from the surface of the tank. Which makes the RPG generally useless

http://www.youtube.com/user/longlance67 · Post by **longlance67** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 12:00 am

York, oh your putting an engine into this bad boy....this is gonna be deadly buddy

shane

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 2:58 am

Now all you need is a M-88 to complete

the scene!

Post by **NovYank** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:02 pm

schweinhund227 wrote: Now all you need is a M-88 to complete the scene!

Oh, don't tempt me Norm. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:09 pm

NovYank wrote:
schweinhund227 wrote: Now all you need is a M-88 to complete the scene!
Oh, don't tempt me Norm. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

Might as well.... its the perfect companion to your model... M-88A1

they are Sweet to build to !

Post by **NovYank** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:27 pm

Here I am thinking I'm going to build a Stryker as my next kit...Norm has other plans.

With the engine in the Verlinden kit...all points to this combo.

My only question is how did that M60 flip over? There's no hill and there's no explosive damage that's visible in the picture.

Post by **spruecutter** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 12:10 am

Maybe it was in an episode of the A team?

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 12:15 am

spruecutter wrote:Maybe it was in an episode of the A team?

I feel like I'm too young for that reference

Post by **spruecutter** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:37 am

NovYank wrote:
spruecutter wrote:Maybe it was in an episode of the A team?
I feel like I'm too young for that reference

Now I feel old.

There was always at least one vehicle that would fly through the air and land upside down.

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:46 am

spruecutter wrote:
NovYank wrote:
spruecutter wrote:Maybe it was in an episode of the A team?
I feel like I'm too young for that reference
Now I feel old.

There was always at least one vehicle that would fly through the air and land upside down.

Okay now I understand. I'm use to them having vans or jeeps flipping over. That and their mini-14s.

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 10:49 pm

So a little progress, all pieces for the engine compartment are glued in or are going to be glued in after paint.

Post by **NovYank** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 11:35 pm

Good news everyone!!!!

I'm a little putty away from painting this kit. Here's a bunch of pictures of the kit in its current stage of construction.

Post by **ridgers22** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:05 am

look great what an interesting piece of armor

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 7:51 am

The detailing on this looks great dude.

Always like an interior

Post by **Tiger131** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 8:01 am

superb you have nailed the weathering it looks spot on

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:50 pm

Tiger131 wrote:superb you have nailed the weathering it looks spot on

You do realise that the model isn't painted? Or are you being sarky lol.

NovYank, the resin parts for the engine bay look good, I am looking forward to seeing the engine in place and it all painted and weathered up.

Post by **Schoof** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:59 pm

Gav0909 wrote:
Tiger131 wrote:superb you have nailed the weathering it looks spot on
You do realise that the model isn't painted? Or are you being sarky lol.

NovYank, the resin parts for the engine bay look good, I am looking forward to seeing the engine in place and it all painted and weathered up.

Post by **Tiger131** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:08 pm

NovYank wrote:More progress on the M60.

While this kit is a relatively easy build, it still has its points were Tamiya messed up. The two parts of the turret makes a pretty ugly seam line that needs some putty, same with the gun mantle, and on the both sides of the hull.

Just really added the barrel and the smoke dischargers:

Now here's the first kit I ever made ever. Go gentle on little me I was young and ignorant:

went from this pick but all the same nice weathering your new one could do with a more dust on it

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:19 pm

Ah ok I see now. I had forgotten he had posted a previous build here first.

I see now, ignore me lol.

Post by **Tiger131** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:27 pm

somehow i didn't see the other posts missed all the legend after market going in...so it all looks real nice look forward to keeping up with the new build

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:44 pm

Tiger131 wrote:somehow i didn't see the other posts missed all the legend after market going in...so it all looks real nice look forward to keeping up with the new build

I wish it was Legend...instead I'm stuck here with verlinden, never buy there accessory sets. There figures aren't that bad but Verlinden finds away to push my angry button whenever I work with there accessory sets.

Legend is a thousand times better and easier to work with.

Post by **Tiger131** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:09 pm

good god i will get something right on your thread sorry buddy..

i have a few verlinden extra but i do agree with you as i have used legend for the first time and they fit so much easier..anyway look forward to seeing more and getting something right on your thread

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:22 pm

Tiger131 wrote:good god i will get something right on your thread sorry buddy.. i have a few verlinden extra but i do agree with you as i have used legend for the first time and they fit so much easier..anyway look forward to seeing more and getting something right on your thread

All is good, I'm just glad someone agrees with me about Verlinden. I'm not a crazy madman spouting nonsense.

Post by **NovYank** » Wed Dec 25, 2013 8:16 pm

So the fat man in the red suit dropped something off today, and it makes me realize that I'm a glutton for punishment. I've cursed Verlinden this entire thread, and now I've gone out and bought another kit from them. Shame....all the shame....

This is the kit in question: Verlinden's 105mm NATO set

It's a halfway decent kit, still smells terrible and Verlinden takes there usual shortcuts when in the mold department. There's open boxes that have separate lids that have no separation to the pour plug. It's the lid then the plug, almost making it impossible to separate the two.

Also on the fired shells there is no open cavity. So I have to drill the shell on the left. This will be done on all of the shells, I just wanted to show you fine gents.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:42 pm

Could you not have gotten a brass round set? I bought a set of 17pdr ammo in brass for my M10, lovely stuff. No need to paint it either, just need to tarnish the brass up a little so it doesn't look brand new.

Also it might be uber expensive or impossible to get in the US, but Accurate Armour do ammo and ammo box sets as well I think, they might be better than Verlinden ones.

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 2:01 pm

Gav0909 wrote:Could you not have gotten a brass round set? I bought a set of 17pdr ammo in brass for my M10, lovely stuff. No need to paint it either, just need to tarnish the brass up a little so it doesn't look brand new.

Also it might be uber expensive or impossible to get in the US, but Accurate Armour do ammo and ammo box sets as well I think, they might be better than Verlinden ones.

Sadly no, my supplier only had these 105mm shells from Verlinden. Thanks for those suggestions though, I'll definitely look into those possibilities and I'll need to stop being a cry baby about Verlinden.

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:28 am

So I recently received a supply of weathering products that I wish to use on this model and a few others...but I have a small problem. I have no experience with any of these products and I don't want to destroy the M60 with them.

But where there is a problem I prevail. Like the proverbial phoenix I rise from the ashes of discontent and come out the other side victorious!

In all seriousness I need a base model to practice on. So a few of you may have seen the my topic centered around an AFV Club M35 that I built when I first started modelling. It is built to pretty loose standards but I was young and ignorant so sue me. But I realized that I could paint it with Tamiya spray can in Olive Drab I could practice my weathering skills. So that's what I did.

Here is what the kit was used for before I had this idea. It was basically a dumpster for any unused stowage I had lying around.

I just put the stowage that was in the Deuce's bed into an unfolded box and put it in a corner somewhere.

Now here it is in the pre-paint stage. It is blu-tacked to an old Tamiya box that was my standard painting stage.

Here is the bed in particular. I sanded it with some mild grit and this happened. A scaffolding pattern reared its ugly face and no matter how hard I sanded it didn't go away. I figured that it would go away with a layer of paint but as you'll see later that didn't happen.

Now after a layer of Tamiya TS-5 Olive Drab this is what it looks like. It looks a little bland and monotoned but this is the initial layer of paint so refinement will come in time.

Now we see the scaffolding pattern again. The bed will be covered in rust and junk anyway so this won't affect the kit when it's finished.