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M60a3 DKLM kit build

Old 09-25-2018, 03:36 PM
  #26  
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Hi Rich
Surprised me that no one else noticed...
Fixed the opposite problem in my M41's by adding Henntech tensioner (with metal idler) & 1st wheel station with metal roadwheel to balance out the weight.
Adding weight is probably appropriate here as tweaking the forward torsion bars would make the whole hull ride too high?
Will await developments...

Mal
Old 09-26-2018, 06:21 AM
  #27  
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I got the bustle basket assembled. Forgot to do that before I painted lol. The bottom of the basket is printed as one piece.
There are two individual rods that are the middle and top rungs and I thought they were the same but once I got the middle one glued it and put the top one on the top was too short on the left side to mate to the turret. I tried to flex it and make it touch and used the heat gun on it but it got cold too fast while I was tweeking it because it was just too short and it snapped. I got styrene rod same size and made a new rung just a little longer so it would fit right. Kind of a pain but oh well.




Old 10-08-2018, 08:43 PM
  #28  
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Been busy lately and kind of didn't feel like working on the m60. Got some work done today since I had the day off. If you look back at the drive way picture of the painted tank you will see the plastic tow cable hangers on the turret. I couldn't stand them as they are obtuse looking compared to the real deal so I referenced my photos and fabricated my own that are soldered on brass shaft and inserted into the hole that the plastic tabs had been in. First and last hangers are drilled for retaining pins ala the prototype.
I also put some dklm metal/rubber tracks on today. I tried to drive with them but they were one pad too long and actually chewed up the hull abit. Im going to have to bondo the areas on the hull in front of the sprocket now sadly. The metal tracks need to be tight to squeeze on. Snug not constricting, its one pad that goes from loose to tight so its pretty apparent where they should be. Any way, blow up the pictures to see the tow cable hangers against the black back ground.


Old 10-09-2018, 09:09 AM
  #29  
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Looking good. Nice to know about the metal tracks needing adjustment. I have a set of the same for mine.
Old 10-09-2018, 12:40 PM
  #30  
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Tow cables look really good!!!
Old 10-15-2018, 05:27 AM
  #31  
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Felt the same frustration on the Abrams Bustle rack I did way back. (pre Tamiya or Trumpeter of course) Ended up using brass rod. It is a lot of work!!!!
Old 10-15-2018, 08:36 PM
  #32  
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Yeah, I have figured out the plastic bustle rack and the hand rail along the turret side are too thick, but I really don't feel like scratch building them from thinner brass rod stock so I am just going to leave them.
I added the lift rings on the cupola that were missing and the grab iron on the loaders hatch. Also some bondo on the turret lift rings since they did not fit the turret cleanly.
Should be just about ready to get on with the build and the cammo then put it all together and get the mantlet canvass boot done, Im dreading that part of the build.


Old 10-18-2018, 05:15 AM
  #33  
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Nice build Rich!!!
Old 10-18-2018, 07:21 AM
  #34  
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I can't wait to see the MERDC camo.
Old 10-18-2018, 08:43 AM
  #35  
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Its coming soon.
Installed the commanders coupola rotation unit and the IR projecter tube in the mantlet last night and mocked up my apple base ro know what i need to get it installed. Should be ready for a final coat of green soon then draw and spray the cammo.
Old 10-21-2018, 09:37 AM
  #36  
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I finished the bustle basket wire mesh. I think im pretty much done with details so its time to get a final coat of green on and see how everything looks then proceed with drawing cammo lines.


Old 10-21-2018, 03:50 PM
  #37  
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Very nice! Beautifully done. I hope I get a chance to shoot at it someday...
Old 10-21-2018, 08:02 PM
  #38  
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I got the top edge of the basket trimmed up and finished. Then I got the TBU base installed in the loaders hatch and got the last coat of green on it. It will be ready to draw cammo lines on next.
Oh and looking at real pictures, the back end does sit a little bit higher up than the front so this tank sits just right.
I like this tank so much, the curvy lines of the hull and turret are quite appealing. This is going to be an awesome tank. I will likely use it all the time if it is a good battler.


Old 10-21-2018, 08:13 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by RichJohnson
I got the top edge of the basket trimmed up and finished. Then I got the TBU base installed in the loaders hatch and got the last coat of green on it. It will be ready to draw cammo lines on next.
Oh and looking at real pictures, the back end does sit a little bit higher up than the front so this tank sits just right.
I like this tank so much, the curvy lines of the hull and turret are quite appealing. This is going to be an awesome tank. I will likely use it all the time if it is a good battler.


Really starting to take shape. Looks like you have changed the tracks to metal also. Cannot wait to see the next stage in painting.
Old 10-24-2018, 04:12 PM
  #40  
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Hi Rich, I believe this is one of the most interesting and finest build threads in a long time on rcu. Great work! John
Old 10-24-2018, 06:40 PM
  #41  
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Thanks John.
The field drab is done on the turret and im masking the coupola and hull deck to spray field drab tomorrow. It looks really cool with the contrast of green to field drab but its not done yet. I dont want to show it off half painted.
Old 10-24-2018, 07:21 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by RichJohnson
Thanks John.
The field drab is done on the turret and im masking the coupola and hull deck to spray field drab tomorrow. It looks really cool with the contrast of green to field drab but its not done yet. I dont want to show it off half painted.
Yes, wait to you are finished and have a cool close up Ops Video and walk around photos to present!

Old 10-25-2018, 06:35 AM
  #43  
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Some teasers on the paint job.



Old 10-25-2018, 07:04 AM
  #44  
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Silly Putty is one of the best masking tools.
Old 10-25-2018, 08:59 AM
  #45  
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Yes it is just dont do it when its hot out it melts off the model lol.
Old 10-26-2018, 05:56 AM
  #46  
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But if the turret falls off, with the Silly Putty on it and it is not hot, will it bounce?
Old 10-26-2018, 05:54 PM
  #47  
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That is a great looking model. Wow really came together. The 3D printed parts look excellent - hard to tell the difference from injection molded plastic. I wish someone would build the Churchill. That is neat too.

Looking forward to that camo!
B
Old 10-29-2018, 09:57 PM
  #48  
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Here is a peek. Still needs a flat over spray. Testors dullcoat in the rattle can no longer works. It left the varying sheens on each color on the apple and coupola. Ever simce testors started changing stuff and Rustoleum bought them they got worse. Dull coat went down hill a few years ago. I will likely airbrush a bottle of dull coat on.


Old 10-29-2018, 10:22 PM
  #49  
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Beautiful. Yeah, I noticed the dullcoat change too. Hopefully, the airbrush version hasn't been changed.
Old 10-30-2018, 09:10 AM
  #50  
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That camo looks great!!!

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