Dragon M48 Vietnam build

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:27 pm

My first group build and I hope to finish with something that will not make you laugh to hard.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:34 pm

More pic's!

Post by **Daishi12** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:36 pm

Nice looking kit mate

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:41 pm

Daishi12 wrote:Nice looking kit mate

It is really got a lot of parts and seems to have a lot of detail. I hope when I'm done it doesn't look like a green brick. Also this dragon kit was supervised by a guy named Hirohisa Takada and he seems to have supervised a few of their kits. I got some wheels done WOOO HOOO!

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:28 am

Nice looking kit mate, good luck!

Post by **Lee** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:17 am

Look forward to seeing the end result

Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:06 am

I promise not to laugh

The M48 is a cool tank and I think that result will be superb

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:39 pm

The M48A3 Tank
From Wikipedia: The M48A3 model of the M48 Patton Tank was delivered to the United States Army in February 1963 and a total of 600 would be built. In 1964 the United States Marine Corps received 419 M48A3 tanks. From what I found on the internet and my cool book, “M48A3 in Vietnam by David Doyle Squadron Signal publications”, the biggest improvement to this model was a diesel engine. Previous models had a gasoline engine and the range was almost 300 miles on a full tank. The range on the original gasoline engine was less than 100 miles. Also the diesel engine was less prone to catching fire. For whatever reason the developers of the original M48 did not take any lessons from WW2 when the Whermact could single shot a Sherman and burst it into flames.
Here are some stats from M48A3 in Vietnam by David Doyle Squadron Signal publications:
Fighting weight 104,000 pounds
Length 342 inches
Width 143 inches
Height 121 ¾ inches
Track 115 shoes
STD Track Length 28 inches
Range 160 miles *My book shows 160 miles and Wikipedia shows almost 300 miles both with the diesel engine.
In Vietnam Tank on tank engagement was limited as I could not find anything about large scale battles of tank on tank battles. The M48A3 was mainly used to bring heavy firepower to back up ground forces. This was evident when the M7-6 Flame gun was equipped on this tank. The Flame thrower was used to burn down jungle areas with enemy soldiers in defensive positions.
During the TET offensive M48 tanks were deployed from a forward operating base to retake Saigon. I got this from a video about the Vietnam war on youtube, “Vietnam War part 8” I think. During the battle to defend Khe Sanh the M48A3 was used. See Picture.
The M48A3 was armed with a 90 mm main gun and two machine guns. One .50 cal. and one .30 cal. With armor 4.7 inches thick and a top speed of 30 mph the M48A3 was a main battle tank. Main battle Tanks were supposed to be able to replace small and medium tanks and have the firepower of Heavy tanks.
The last variant of the M48 was the M48A5 which was equipped with the M60 tanks 105mm gun. The M48 was replaced by the M60 and served in many foreign armies as well.
In the Vietnam War the tanks did have markings such as shark teeth, Iron crosses, and special slogans like Hell’s Henchmen. While not as frequent anymore this appears to be the last time that large amounts of individual markings and slogans were used on tanks.
This is what I have learned about the M48A3 Tank and if interested I would suggest going to the U.S. Army ordinance museum in Aberdeen Maryland. The Museum is currently moving its location to South Carolina( I think) but many vehicles are still on display like the Tiger 1 and Atomic Annie.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:40 pm

Dunhill2005 wrote:I promise not to laugh
The M48 is a cool tank and I think that result will be superb

Thanks Dunhill2005

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:24 pm

Wheels are very plentiful in this kit and it takes some file work on the inside of the drive wheels.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:26 pm

Also got an early birthday present from the little woman. Should make for a fun build.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 9:23 pm

Currently completed step 3 and that is all for the weekend.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:42 pm

Getting some additional its and bits together. Unlike like some of the other dragon kits this one has not been super hard for someone of my meager skills to get together so far. It still seems harder than any Tamiya kit I have built but I know everyone cries about detail and I understand but I hope to get better so all I cry about is detail. I look at many of the other builds and I intend to try to pick up pointers if possible because from what I have seem there are some vary talented folks here.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:44 pm

My photo taking skills are poor but I am available to do weddings, parties, and modeling construction. LOL

Maybe they will get better when I get a new Blackberry.

Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:49 pm

Good progress . Kepp it up

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 12:06 am

Thanks Actung Panzer I will keep it going friend.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 4:24 pm

The mighty M48A3 is coming together. No real complaints except the small return wheels, I think that's what they are called, don't attach by much at all and I had to use super glue on 2 of them but other than that all is good.

Post by **martin57** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 9:01 pm

looking good my man.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:53 pm

Looking good!

Post by **Hillbilly** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 3:11 am

Coming together very nicely

Post by **Deacon** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:00 pm

Wow Alka you're not hanging around with this.

Great progress.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:18 am

Thanks Decon once I start I just try to complete it so I don't loose focus.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:03 pm

I got wheels and some other struts or shocks on the beast but it took me some time because the instruction sheet was difficult.

I guess a more experienced modeller would have no problems but my sorry self has not made it there yet. The build goes on!

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 1:31 am

Very nice progress
And about the instructions , dragon instructions are not that hard but they are more complicated then most other brands
It is mostly a thing of getting used too
When you have build about 5 dragon kits you don't even notice their complexity anymore
Keep up the good work
Cheers Mark

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:01 pm

Major construction has been completed!

Thanks Mark I hope to get better with Dragon Models Instruction sheets. Now primer and painting will begin.

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:04 pm

AlkaSeltzer wrote:Major construction has been completed! Thanks Mark I hope to get better with Dragon Models Instruction sheets. Now primer and painting will begin.

Trust me You get used to their crappy instructions
Altough some times a bit of common sense and test fitting helps

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 9:37 pm

Looks gooood

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:51 pm

I have begun to apply the base coat of paint. This is my first time using acrylic. I got the Humbrol U.S. Army color #102. It was thick, I mean really thick so I broke out my MIG acrylic thinner and was able to use it in my airbrush. I will continue with the build!

Post by **snappercity** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 11:33 pm

Looking good.

Post by **MikeyKb** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 3:50 pm

I love the look of that turret. the steel effect looks awesome.

Looking forward to more!

Post by **Hillbilly** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:25 am

Nice job on the paintwork,this beast is coming together nicely

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 11:42 pm

Hillbilly wrote:Nice job on the paintwork,this beast is coming together nicely

Thanks I am trying to do my best

I am learning a lot from you guys

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:51 pm

Decals and wash has begun. This has been an enjoyable build so far.

Post by **martin57** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:32 pm

spot on looking nice well done

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:18 am

martin57 wrote:spot on looking nice well done

Thanks Martin

Post by **eightfooticeman** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:39 pm

Very cool looking, it looks to be the nutz! Much better looking kit than my old Monogram M48 I did.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 9:45 pm

eightfooticeman wrote:Very cool looking, it looks to be the nutz! Much better looking kit than my old Monogram M48 I did.

Thanks I am working hard to make a good showing.

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:17 pm

Great work so far mate!

Post by **bobbewieter** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:27 pm

Looking very good

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:06 pm

UKguyInUSA wrote:Great work so far mate!

Thanks UKguy

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:07 pm

bobbewieter wrote:Looking very good

Thanks bobbewieter

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:09 pm

I have been using a lot of Vallejo washes and since they are acrylic I really like them.

Post by **MikeyKb** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:36 pm

AlkaSeltzer wrote:I have been using a lot of Vallejo washes and since they are acrylic I really like them.

looks GREAT!! Which washes did you use? My LHS just started carrying them and I've been thinking of picking up a few.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 11:47 pm

MikeyKb wrote:
AlkaSeltzer wrote:I have been using a lot of Vallejo washes and since they are acrylic I really like them.
looks GREAT!! Which washes did you use? My LHS just started carrying them and I've been thinking of picking up a few.

I used the green vehicle wash twice, followed by one coat of black wash both reduced approximately 50%. I then tried a 75% strength of black for a pin wash. I will do another pin wash at 100% because the first pin wash was not as good as I thought it should be.

Post by **alextheblue** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:33 am

Looking great so far AS, the washes really help to add some oomph to a model!

Post by **Russ72** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:55 am

The washes are working. Nice stuff.

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:50 pm

alextheblue wrote:Looking great so far AS, the washes really help to add some oomph to a model!

They are helping a lot this build needs it believe you me.

thanks though

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:53 pm

Russ72 wrote:The washes are working. Nice stuff.

Thanks man all the model builders here have made me step my game up

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:19 pm

Nicely "washed". Looks great

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:58 pm

felisbarcinonensis wrote:Nicely "washed". Looks great

Thanks felisbarcinonensis I am now thinking about using a spot in the yard for a diorama and trying to take pictures in scale.