Global Scale Modeller

Good afternoon all

My first build post in quite a few months on ISM

I was hoping to be building the 1/35 Takom M3 Lee CDL. Due to the unusual and crazy ineptitude of www.amazon.co.uk couriers this was not meant to be.
I was hoping to get the M3 by this weekend (31st) so I could have some fun building. So I cancelled it last night, and found this kit available for delivery at home today This is where Amazon excel Ordered 30th and arrived mid-morning 31st
Never built a Takom, and never built US Armour either. Did watch a build of this on You Tube, and it looked a right Chunky Monkey, looks fabulously rugged and a solid build. Quite Magach in looks.
So, here we go.
I apologise about shine on photos, I took these on a Saturday afternoon in the UK with a very low sun shining in through Man Cave windows
1st image, is of course the big old loving close up shot of (fantastic phrase of dear departed Keith Floyd), Box-Art.

Some side of box call-outs for two markings (4 in total all Desert Storm 1991 Units ).


Open the box and its crammed full of nicely packaged sprues.

Clear Sprues

Again sorry for the shine but have left sprues in plastic bags, until required. Here's the top section.

A quick flick through the Instruction Book shows an awful lot of fixings for Reactive Armour mounts

Turret parts.

Everything looks free of flash, and up till this sprue, nicely held on sprues points. Then noticed that the very nice moulding of canvas Mantlet Cover had snapped off from all its holding points on sprues.

More parts.


Side Armour.

Nice thick Instruction book which includes a piece of copper wire for Towing cables.

Tracks. During the You Tube build, I noticed these are held together by wire pins. No glue or staples

Bottom Hull.

Decals for four units.

Small PE Sheet.

This shows the track wire location points. Interesting way of joining rubber band tracks. Almost Fruil

On the rear of the Instruction book is a very nice tribute and thanks, which I found touching.

Four color shout outs in Mig Ammo


1st build section.

So, this is going to be a straight OOB build. No extra PE, no extras, except, some extra stowage and maybe a crew, which I'm sure I'll be able to find some on Internet somewhere
Having wrote this up for you lovely lot. I'm going to grab some more coffee and head on back to my lovely Man-Cave and slip a new blade in my knife, shake my TET and grab my trusty Ultimate sander sticks and get building.
Love you all (so excited to be starting a new armour build).
DW

Donkeywalloper wrote: Sat Aug 31, 2019 6:19 pm [SNIP] Quite Magach in looks. [/SNIP]

It does look like a Magach doesn't it.
I've never built a Takom kit either and have 3 in the stash to build - if your build goes anything like the other reviews I've read of Takom kits, you should be in for an reasonably easy ride.

Kit looks great - I like the way Takom use resealable bags for their sprues and bits rather than staples or heat sealing.

Hope it goes well; looking forward to some build updates.

CygnusX1 wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 12:18 am

Donkeywalloper wrote: Sat Aug 31, 2019 6:19 pm [SNIP] Quite Magach in looks. [/SNIP]

It does look like a Magach doesn't it.
I've never built a Takom kit either and have 3 in the stash to build - if your build goes anything like the other reviews I've read of Takom kits, you should be in for an reasonably easy ride.

Kit looks great - I like the way Takom use resealable bags for their sprues and bits rather than staples or heat sealing.

Hope it goes well; looking forward to some build updates.

Cygnus.

Well a lovely morning of me time with a new model and time on my hands.
Kettle on and good coffee in the pot, away we go with my first build of a Takom, and my first US Armour
1st Stages deal with the moulded bottom tub of this tank.
On close inspection, the plastic seems quite hard and nothing like Tamiya and others. Beautifully moulded with good casting detail and nice cast letters and numbers in hull.

1st parts that go on, are lots of hangers and lifting fixings for bottom hull.

The lights at rear were a little tricky and required reaming out at rear locating hole to fit over locating lug

I was going to leave the tub at this stage, as it was quite a morning of sanding and attaching fiddly little parts and fingers were tired
I continued with swing arms for suspension units. This despite clear instructions, needed lots of concentration, as lots of parts, especially A20 & A19, looked the same, but had a slightly different lugs for locating on mount.
I did get one arm in wrong way around but beauty of TET is that it can be soaked and parts moved from final set. Trick as normal on Armour (unless your looking for a tank on bumpy terrain or you have moveable suspension), is to get everything sitting level

Final shot of mornings work. Just front swing arms to fit, which are made up of five parts.
So far so good, and feeling good and its looking good.
More to come,
DW

Nice work DW! Certainly a productive days work. I do like the look of these Takom kits, but like your good-self, I've never tackled one. The casting on that tub looks really nice from your pics and the general detail looks impressive.

I've installed myself in my comfy chair, my feet are up and I'm looking forward to your next update.

Well Alex, good thing your in you're comfy chair, cuz theirs more
I was hanging around waiting for Mrs DW to come back from work, and I could hear the Takom calling from the Man-Cave.
I had two more wheel suspension units to complete at the front, these were comprised of five parts. All went together beautifully.


Then I couldn't resist a bit more, so cracked on with multiple wheels.
First the Return Rollers, six in total and two parts to each. Fairly quick and precise.

The Drive Sprockets are a three part build, and went together fairly easy, although the location of the Sprocket on to the drum had to be lined up by eye as no locating lugs

I then got stuck in to one side of wheels and these were in three parts, switching to Revell Contacta Glue for a little more robust hold.
That's your lot for the day, Mrs DW home so need to spend time with better half
Take care all,
DW

The engineering on these Takom kits is really very good and unlike Dragon the construction has been thought about despite the complexity. I too am reaching for the popcorn and looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Paul

Nice start on the beast and looking good.

As a bit of info Germany sold there used M48 and M60 Pattons to Israel and they upgraded them to the Magach standard of tanks used by the I.D.F.

Since the 1980s and 1990s, the Magachs have been gradually replaced by Merkava tanks as Israel's front-line main battle tank. However, a large majority of the IDF's armored corps continued to consist of Magach variants until the 1990s, and the tank was continuously upgraded during this time.

By 2006, all Magachs in regular units had been replaced by Merkavas.

I do like these ERA AFV's, following along with interest.

Looking good so far - nice to have some time at the bench on a weekend. Doesn't look like you've had any real issues so far with it, which is good news.

Coming along nicely there DW. I'm a complete novice in the armour field but the words 'reactive armour' intrigued me. Can you explain what that is for me please. Thanks.

Al

Quax wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:29 pm The engineering on these Takom kits is really very good and unlike Dragon the construction has been thought about despite the complexity. I too am reaching for the popcorn and looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Paul

Paul

Hawkmoon wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:50 pm Nice start on the beast and looking good.

As a bit of info Germany sold there used M48 and M60 Pattons to Israel and they upgraded them to the Magach standard of tanks used by the I.D.F.

Since the 1980s and 1990s, the Magachs have been gradually replaced by Merkava tanks as Israel's front-line main battle tank. However, a large majority of the IDF's armored corps continued to consist of Magach variants until the 1990s, and the tank was continuously upgraded during this time.

By 2006, all Magachs in regular units had been replaced by Merkavas.

Interesting info Hawk, thank you.
DW

onemac wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:28 am Coming along nicely there DW. I'm a complete novice in the armour field but the words 'reactive armour' intrigued me. Can you explain what that is for me please. Thanks.

Al

Hi Al

I borrowed this form Wiki
Reactive armour is a type of vehicle armour that reacts in some way to the impact of a weapon to reduce the damage done to the vehicle being protected. It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic energy penetrators. The most common type is explosive reactive armour (ERA), but variants include self-limiting explosive reactive armour (SLERA), non-energetic reactive armour (NERA), non-explosive reactive armour (NxRA), and electric reactive armour. NERA and NxRA modules can withstand multiple hits, unlike ERA and SLERA, but a second hit in exactly the same location may potentially penetrate any of those.

DW

Thanks for the explanation DW Very advanced batting weapons off the tank eh?

* shakes head in wonderment.....

Al

Great start to this DW - looking forward to seeing you progress; haven't tried a Takom kit yet but really tempted by the way they seem to go together.

Looking forward to this weekend
My normal stint of being in Man-Cave for about 09:30 on a Sunday morning, so I'm ready for R4 Archers Omnibus and all kit (mainly coffee) is ready.
As this kit did not have a crew, I have purchased a Miniart 1/35 US Modern Tank crew. These will maybe need a bit of altering just to tone down the "modernish" look.
I definitely find a new kit does lighten my mood and releases my Mojo , this has defiantly lightened my mood.
I have this morning bought a reference book from www.biblio.co.uk / Warmachines 05 M60A1 at £23.91
I will post some photos of further works over the weekend.
Whatever you intend to do this weekend, have a great one. May your PE stay on the Bench. May your A/B Needle stay moist and may your fingers and hands stay steady.

DW

Evening all

Well, normally I dont do any modelling on a Saturday, but I did fit in some small amount today.
After the normal Saturday morning of the usual stuff, washing cars, shopping in Tesco at 04:00 (you did read correct there ).
I was wide awake this morning at 03:00, and not wanting to disturb Mrs D, I got dressed and wandered around our local 24hr Tesco. Shocked at amount of people who were in that shop buying bottles of Vodka
So, after coming back from food shopping at 05:00, and having completed many mundane tasks, the Saturday Suburban man settles down to the normal jobs of, like I said, washing cars, cleaning out Wheelie Bins with Jet-Wash and cutting grass back and front. After a well deserved Bacon Sandwich, i felt quite shattered. I fell asleep watching BBC I-Player.
I woke this afternoon feeling refreshed, and needing a bit of "Plastic Bonding" time,
So ensconced in Man-Cave, listening to R4 Extra and the Seventh Dimension. Lets carry on
Having last Sunday, almost, I say almost, finishing the bottom tub of the M60A1 (some very tiny bits require affixing and the Towing Cable Shackles have been left off, so not knocked off and lost to Carpet Monster). i needed to finish off the rest of the wheels.
The last six wheels went together well. Three parts, and apart from a lot of sanding (just to rough up rubber parts to effect worn areas),with my favourite Ultimate Sander, they went together well with a spot of Revell Contact Glue.

That completed the bottom tub. Like I said, I left off some very teeny parts, like the Towing cable Shackles and some very , very teeny tabs that need gluing on rear of tub, (must admit, i have been suffering with excruciating pain in my right hand, which I think is the on set of Arthritis). Just means, my hand really aches when manipulating ting bits.
Next bit of build, is the main Hull.

Nice large piece of plastic. Held on to sprue with 7 points, which having been removed left a nice big platform to works on. Lovely cast metal detail on front glacis plate.

Instructions call out for several holes to be drilled through plate with 1mm drill. Opposite side of part shows nice clean indentations, and instructions are nice and precise on drill location. Holes drilled and a quick wipe on opposite side removes any swarf. Not to much sanding as we dont want to lose any detail
That's your lot for now.
Roll on Sunday morning and more kit bashing.
Goodnight fellow ISM's
DW

Oh forgot to mention, i bought this yesterday from https://www.bookworldws.co.uk/

Should give me a bit of insight.
DW

Sunday morning and I'm up earlier than normal, and its a bright but crisp day, so lets begin
Build starts with Drivers hatch and options of Closed Viewing Periscope or Closed. I'm going to opt for open.
This all assembled well, and the viewing part is clear acrylic, so will fit this later down line, as I need reference guide to see how this is painted.
Few parts went on front of hull, like Light units, again without Clear supplied Lenses fitted as yet. Again, I would like to see colour shout outs i.e. Infra Red, Clear (i.e. blob of Silver behind before Clear lenses goes on.

Lower Hull requires a few holes drilled through, and this is all clearly shown on instructions.

Attention moved to rear of Hull and few additional parts fitted, like Fueling point cap and armoured shield for this. Two part Gun Barrel Traveling Lock fitted to rear deck.


Next up the Armoured covers for Drivers Periscope Blocks, that are going to be shown in the locked up position.

Now this is where I had some confusion
You have two options.
Rear engine Doors can be fitted with Extended Exhaust Stack, or not.
In all the pictures I see on the box and in the instructions, their is no Extended Exhaust Stack Is this for Wading?
I spent sometime removing the join line (Two Part piece) and added some dints, dents and damage with a file.

The kit gives you this door with Exhaust or a second door without. As I have not fitted yet, and again, this is the need for reference guides.

That's all for now.
DW

Great progress over the weekend DW and really good to see you back at the bench again!

Thanks Neil, much appreciated.
DW

Evening all

Hope you're all keeping well?
Well a bit more progression on M60A1
Drivers Clear Acrylic block Periscopes in. I had to move the armoured shields that cover the Periscopes a bit to lay flat against the Periscopes. A bit of TET and left till pliable and then shifted to correct position.
Then time to close up Lower Hull and top Hull plate.
Seemed a bit warped, and with some Revell Contacta and a lot of Tamiya Tape to hold down Hull upper to Hull Lower.


Also attached the Engine Covers which are a beautiful bit of moulding with lovely tiny thin handel and Engine Louvres.

I have opted to the Drivers Periscopes to be fixed up.


Now, this is where I'm gonna have a gripe at Takom
The location tabs for the Fenders, are pretty vague
To get one Fender sat correctly, again slightly warped, and it took a good 15 minutes to get them sat right and an awful lot of TET.
It really took some manipulation, tugging and general bad mouthing the Son of a Doo Dah, to get it right. Very, Very fiddly
The instructions called for Stowage boxes to be fitted before the Fenders were fitted. I would suggest as I did, that you fit the Stowage boxes after the Fenders were fitted.





So, there you have it for another weekend.
The Lower Hull is complete, except for Tracks and some tiny ancillary parts.
We now move on to the Turret and then a whole lot of Reactive Armour panels
DW

Looking good and you will enjoy putting all those little boxes on. It change the look of it quiet quickly.

Cheers chap.
Your right. The addition of the Fenders and Stowage boxes has greatly improved the look of the whole thing. I'm going to finish of the Lower Hull tonight, it just needs some small additional parts added and that will be complete for this section.
The tracks will be left off to paint and weather, and of course the wheels all need to be kept separate to paint the Rubbers on. I think I may remove the Clear Periscope part on Drivers hatch and move the flap that covers that, in to the closed position. I have a Driver figure available now from the Miniart Modern US Tank Crew kit and I quite fancy introducing him into that position. if hes in the seat upright, the Periscope would be down. Bugger! all these changes.
Cheers for looking in,
DW

More solid progress DW and well done for knocking those fenders into shape - as you and digger already said they really start to bulk it out and give a better idea of the shape of the finished item.

Looking good!

Cheers Neil
Its a great kit but the anomalies and quirks are starting to appear.
The Fenders were really tricky and to be honest would have been better cast as separate sections, instead of one long run.
DW

Well after and hour on the road and commuting has never been so much fun after a tough day at work (found today out one of my cleaners has Breast Cancer).
Puts all into perspective really.
So on return, I throw on my sloppy comfy clothes and head out to M/C for a tiny bit of work.
Managed after quite a bit of TET soaking to move Drivers Hatch Periscope flap into closed position
Then built two part Headlamp Guards. Really beautiful crafted scale welded bar.

Another shot of two part Headlamp guard.

Then couldn't help myself. Found a second assembly of pipework and "Thingy" that holds and protects pipework.

Just in the distance you can see Drivers Hatch without Periscope.
That's all for now chaps, Mrs DW back.
DW

Good morning all

How are we all? Why am I asking this, as I can't hear a response

Well, only managed to cram in a couple of hours on Sunday morning with the Takom M60A1.
I wanted this weekend to get the Lower Hull finished as best as I can. some little areas, like the Front Tow Shackles are being left off for now, so I don't knock them off into the Carpet Monster
I also was going to leave off the Tow Cables themselves (Piano Wire and supplied) as I wanted to have these draped over the front, as per many reference photos I have seen. The instructions are going for draping the two Tow cables over the Rear Engine decks, and supplied PE clips to hold in place. I shall bend the PE clips later when my R/H gets a bit of dexterity back in it. I managed to get a Dr's appointment this morning, but of course, not till 9th October Mrs DW thinks I may have somehow broken my hand as the symptoms sure don't sound like the dreaded Arthritis
Anyhoo, back to the lower structure
What I'm really picking up, from my first time building a Takom, is to my eyes, and yes, they are not as sharp as they were, the Instructions do need to be studied closely (and yes, I do mean through magnification)
The sections to complete the Lower Hull are all to install the Reactive Armour plates.
The Plates are lovely big chunks of plastic that with a few swipes of a Ultimate Sander Stick are done.
The Underneath holding brackets, well wow!
This took some really careful studying to get the brackets the right way round so they sit correctly.
So first job, was to build the front Lower Glacis Reactive Armour Brackets. this was made up of 10 pieces.


So as I said, an awful lot of eye straining, and rechecking to make sure the correct part is where it should be.

This shows the Front Glacis Reactive Armour Holding brackets.

And with all the front Hull Armour attached, this is how it looks.

So this sort of completes the Lower Hull build, suffice a few bits and bobs, to be fitted later.
I didn't take any photos, but I have started to drill out all of the location points for Reactive Armour on the Turret.
Its an awful lot of drilling.....

Forgot to add.
The Tamiya Tape in the last picture, is to hold down the leading edge of the Reactive Armour plate that even due to copious amounts of TET and Revel Contacta, was still blowing around like the proverbial in a gale.....
DW

Awe it's looking good, such nice detail

Cheers chap, keep digging away at it.
The Turret is absolutely bonkers with Reactive Armour mounts so expecting an awful lot of swearing and cussing (of course not on ISM, that would simply never do).
DW

Donkeywalloper wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:20 pm Cheers chap, keep digging away at it.
The Turret is absolutely bonkers with Reactive Armour mounts so expecting an awful lot of swearing and cussing (of course not on ISM, that would simply never do).
DW

Yes you'll get a speeding ticket , but I know what you mean with the frustration of it.

Everything is moving along very nicely, DW

I'm sure many are following along and like me June - Sept is a really busy time for me, posting can be very sporadic. I do like the M60 especially with ERA, the kit appears to be a bit of a challenge, one that you're raising too very well

Looking really good DW. The RA looks like a PITA, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Meng kits seem to employ a similar system, but they paint up real nice. Loving your thread!

Alex and Kev

I agree Kev, this time is a busy old period, not least as the sun is out (not so much in the UK, but hey, its not been a bad Summer ), Modelling gets put on the burner so to speak, and other pastimes and chores come to the front.
With the Long Nights creeping in, it leans to a bit more conducive furtling with the Sprues and Glue
This type of Armour is a bit long winded but the end result, and especially a nice bit of fading on these panels should give this model the sparkle it deserves. I have a few days off at the end of this week, and am hoping to get some work done on the Turret
Thank you as normal for the very kind and inspirational words.
DW

All looking good and coming together nicely

Coming along nicely.
Doesn't look like you've had many problems (except with that ERA) and hope you have a good time with the turret; looking forward to seeing some pics.

Can't wait to see how that RA is coming along. I built a kit with RA , I think it was a academy kit a long time ago. I remember that it didn't actually show where the units of RA had to be positioned. So I just went by the box art and ended up with a couple left over. It did annoy me at the time that I might not be doing it right. This Takom kit of yours is light years ahead of that though. Lots of anticipation here though for your success.

Cheers Hawkmoon and Cygnus and Digger.
The positioning is, even with these uber CAD instructions, still not as clear as one would like.
The M60A1 Reference book from Sabot has been a God Send with great meaty colour pictures of current M60A1 vehicles and past shots.
The exact positioning is not to the mm and as long as it looks to be positioned on the instructions and the images, I'm happy.
Not yet had to get the Engineering Calipers out yet.
I have a couple of extra days off at home this week (Thursday & Friday), and have just taken delivery of this bit of kit to add to some bulk to Turret baskets.

The images of these tanks are showing them laden with personal kit.
Thank you again for all the great comments.
DW

That's looking great DW - I've not done an AFV with reactive armour as yet but that looks like a real pain to get lined up!

Donkeywalloper wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:07 pm [SNIP]The images of these tanks are showing them laden with personal kit.[/SNIP]

Ah yes, cool boxes on the turret roof full of water and other soft drinks... many many pics of vehicles like that.

Looks like a nice set of 'bits' - can't wait to see what you do with this one.

Morning all

Well, managed to cram in a few hours yesterday, as Mrs DW was not feeling chipper .
So we have entered the Turret section.
Just before I bore the pants off you all with works on Turret, I just wanted to show you the Front Glacial Armour without Tamiya Masking Tape in place to hold all straight and true .

Before

Anyhoo, Turret, I know you want to see progress

So having drilled many, many holes for the RA mounts, we move on to lots of little bits and bobs. Nothing to demanding or problematic here. Follow the instructions and keep ticking off pieces attached. It is is one busy Turret
I must make mention of the Grab Handles. Takom plastic is quite tough, and even though these handles are very delicate, and held in place by three or four sprue mounts, they came away intact, after holding my breath and clipping initially with my uber sharp Xuron cutter, then a delicate sand with a Ultimate Thinny stick.

The Loaders Hatch was quite busy for such a small piece, and its very detailed with a cracking big clear resin periscope.

So, finish the Loaders hatch and then its more little bits and bob to fit
The end of this section leaves us with this.

The next sections, I noted, deal with the Commanders Turret and its associated paraphernalia.
So whilst Mrs DW is thumbing through Internet looking at films to watch at the Cinema (please not Downton Abbey, pretty please, Noooooooo).
More fun and action later,
DW

Donkeywalloper wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 10:43 am Morning all

Well, managed to cram in a few hours yesterday, as Mrs DW was not feeling chipper .

The next sections, I noted, deal with the Commanders Turret and its associated paraphernalia.
So whilst Mrs DW is thumbing through Internet looking at films to watch at the Cinema (please not Downton Abbey, pretty please, Noooooooo).
More fun and action later,
DW

Nobodies forcing you to sit there watching the chic flicks.... me think you protest to much

Kits coming along well though apart from the large misalignment in the front hull.

Am I protesting to much?, Its just not my thing. I will of course attend for the other halfs amusement.
I am well known for falling asleep in comfy Cinema seats . Have been known to wake myself up by my snoring.
Its all going together very well now. The Turret is going to be a kit in itself judging by the instructions
Main thing is, its very, very enjoyable to build.
DW

Back from a pleasant amble around Derby Itsu Shopping Centre with my favourite gal .
Nice big bowl of Ramen in Wagamama and then Cinema , but not Downton Abbey.
We saw the film Ready or Not which is a humorous gorefest, cum silly film.
Numerous funny bits for me and a few jump out of seat moments as well.
Drive home and soon off to M/C for some plastictastic fun.
DW

Hi al

Happy Saturday evening to you all.
I was in Derby yesterday afternoon with Mrs DW, and she who must be obeyed, is strolling around M&S with a disgruntled Mr Walloper in tow.
Ended up in this area, and had a Father Ted moment. Apologies to my overseas brothers, who have not seen this programme, but those who have watched it, will know the moment in it where Ted and the priests end up in the Lingerie Department.

Don't touch the frillies
So after a morning of Odds and Sods in the house as Mrs DW was at work. I got some time in M/C with the M60A1
So, moving on to the Mini-Turret.
Three part 50cal mount and you have two options for canvas mantlet cover or not. I'm going for full cover.

Bit of parts added to main Turret.

This is another option of the Mini Turret periscope open or close. Plus, we have a couple of bits of PE added

This is then added to Mini-Turret.

The minute three plastic Lifting Hooks on the Mini-Turret are so bloody small.
With the handling and manipulating, it was inevitable that I would lose one This lead me to a bit of Fuse Wire and some bending, I have to say, it looks better than the plastic option



Completed Mini-Turret. The last part was the bottom ring that needed some heavy manipulation to line it up correctly. May need some filler as a few gaps apparent.

So turn of page, and this I have read in a few reviews, is one of the hardest parts of the build. The basket, oh the baskets
The parts are sooooo thin.
So these are the instruction call outs.

Lot of very careful clipping with Xuron and some very careful rubbing with Ultimate Thinnie to remove burrs.


Unfortunately, no amount or careful snipping and rubbing was gonna stop a part cracking off. One of the supporting bars cracked and was caught mid air:
Bit of TET and its repaired.

Finished for day.
Critiques welcome,
DW

Coming along very nicely

Middle age man taking pictures in the ladies underwear section... I'll bet security has a nice still from the cameras of you on the wall now.

ForbesHutton wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 2:56 pm Middle age man taking pictures in the ladies underwear section... I'll bet security has a nice still from the cameras of you on the wall now.

I need that photo lol