Tankcommander
-
Content Count
187 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Calendar
Posts posted by Tankcommander
-
-
From what I've seen on other sights the M60A2 may be next. AFV has shown a turret. Academy has already released an A2 kit but its based on their Tamiya copy M60.
TC
-
Don, every time we rolled out of the motorpool on alert we were in our go to war configuration except for small arms ammunition. The bustle rack was full of personal gear duffle bags c-rat s small personal bags. In 1978-9 rucks were not general issue to tankers. My tank commander the PLT SGT had mid night requisitioned 2 extra water cans, black plastic, in jerrycan racks on the bustle rack and an extra road wheel on the blower cover. We had to roll as if going to war every time we left the motorpool. The tanks always had a full combat load of main gun ammo and the machine guns were always mounted except for cleaning. Our field duffle bags were stored in the tanks as well to speed readiness times. This evolved over time once we transitioned to M60s, as more and more items were stored on board to speed deployment times.
It was alot different from the loadouts I saw stateside or with the National Guard with cots and coolers.
TC
-
The M60A3 had no over pressure system it had a vent fan to help clear main gun and coax fumes out by bringing in clean air but was not for NBC. The 60 series had a central gas filtration system that the crew had to plug their masks into. NBC engagements were a part of table VIII. Get caught without the crew being masked and fail the table. The slick M1 used the same system.
TC
-
You really need to read up on the subject before blaming socialism as the cause of all of the worlds ills. Here in the UK we have had a coalition of the Conservative Party (definitely not socialist) and the Liberal Democrat Party (a little bit socialist) since 2010 - an election is due in May thus year. The cuts in govt. spending here have been across the board including defence and have been driven by a Conservative (not socialist) Chancellor of the Exchequer. The reason for all of these cuts was due mainly to the massive recession and financial crisis caused by greedy, immoral and most probably criminal bankers and financial types in the US, UK and elsewhere. I doubt that they could be described as socialist.
As for the UK we have been in decline as a world power since early last century, accelerated by the paying off of the US lend lease bill after WW2. That was finally paid off early this century.
No nation likes to admit they are in decline but it is inevitable - it is the lesson of history.
Question is: who's turn is it next?
Darius
That should have been 2 sentences. I was not attributing the recent UK decline to socialism more so the US problems. Although the UK has had issues with socialism over the last 50 years. How much must the productive population contribute to the unproductive population. I for one do not believe in the nanny state. Would Putin be so jingoistic if a Regan or Bush 1 were in the White House and NATO was still strong?
Yes I also watch FOX the news babes are HOT!!!
TC
-
Tomcat I'm not saying spend more. I just think we should be spending it wisely. That much money should be more then enough. I'm sure a lot of the prior budgets were wasted in Iraq and Afgahnistan paying for the wars which came out of the Pentigon budgets. Equipment gets used and abused and not replaced. I saw a news report that our nuclear arsenal is aging and falling into neglect. How can we afford to up grade that. How old are those minuteman missles?
TC
-
I thought so to until I got a look inside. I am trying to figure out when the turret was changed to cover the turret ring. I thought that came about after the 73 war showed it was vunerable. A quick look on line hasn't helped but I have to check my reference books on the M60. I wish I had the Hunnicutt book. I saw a picture of an Israeli parade of M60s with the improvement supposedly before the war .
The Army still used the older turrets though, I saw M60A3s with the exposed turret ring in my National Guard service.
TC
-
The Beaurocrats are throwing the money away as usual. God knows how we could be spending 47% more money and cutting the size of the armed forces and reducing and canceling programs. I would like to see a line item comparison for those years.
Must be the cost for all the Humvees we have provided ISIS. :bandhead2:/>
TC
-
I just remember REFORGER when we moved divisions to Europe to show our resolve. A company of Styrkers and some A10s. I bet Putin was hiding under his bed. Boy have times changed. Sort of makes you long for the Cold War. The decline of the UK is sad, socialism rears its head over the entire free world dragging it down. I'm concerned for my childrens future I've already ruined my life. ;)
TC
-
Just checked on an old Youtube video made by the Army showcasing the new M60 under construction and they had the cheek pieces. I would guess early to mid 60s.
TC
-
The kit has the cheek add ons and every tank I saw from 1977 on had them. I got my tank in 78 and they were on it. I say add on because it wasn't armor it was between a quarter and a half inch thick and an air space between, I had to replace a torn mantle cover and found out what was behind it. I don't think it could have served as spaced armor. I think its primary purpose was to make fitting the mantle cover easier. I checked a bunch of MASSTER Cammo pictures from mid 70s and they have it. Possibly tanks from the 60s without mantle covers like the first Tamiya kit wouldn't have the cheek pieces. The kit turret does have the improved turret ring which covered the vunerable turret ring so that does restrict it to mid 70s a post Yom Kipper War improvement. The older turrets stayed in servce though and M60A3 could be found with the older turret.
TC
-
I was saddened by the news as well, my son turned me on to Disc world, another talent gone.
TC
-
Looking it over again I also see that the loaders and drivers periscopes are poseable and 2 M85s are included. all hatches have detailed interiors, 2 types of sprockets solid and scaloped. casting numbers are molded on. The instuctions are on magazine quality paper with the cammo schemes in color. Although the color callouts are doubtful. Field green and khaki when it should be forest green and field drab for MERDC.
I also believe more varients are planned. The left fender is in 2 pieces making a dozer version with the external hydraulics easier
Oh and it has a STURDY BOX
TC
PS the fuel cap has a molded on locking handle you just need to add the chain. And unlike Tamiya only 1 filler cap like the real deal.
I'm still looking it over and the tracks look really nice, good bolt detail on the end connectors and center guides. Very usable for live track with good tension. The mantle cover looks like glueable plastic not rubber. I don't know why but they added the working recoil spring.
-
If you don't mind using some one overseas Luckymodel out of Hong Kong has good prices reasonable shipping and great service. The owner? Roy Chow also monitors the model sites and steps in to fix problems. The website has improved and the whats in stock lists are pretty up to date. I got 2 kits in less then 2 weeks and they came out cheaper including shipping then anywhere else. They also run specials I got 10% off. Also some after market items ship free world wide.
I also use Sprue Brothers and Amazon. I got the Tamiya WW1 MKIV male for $58 free shipping it lists around $100. Some prices are outrageous though, Amazon lists other vendors that sell through them. Amazon also has a great satisfaction guarantee on items they sell. They also carry paint, glue and tools. I always check 4 or 5 vendors before ordering.
TC
-
Well folks I just opened my M60A1 last night and it is by far the best thing since sliced bread. AFV really out did themselves. The kit is right on as far as detail goes. The sprockets have mud holes, you get a mantle cover, both side loading and top loading air cleaners, both steel and aluminum road wheels, an extremely detailed drivers interior, clear lenses for head lights search light and periscopes. The cupola upper is clear so if careful you don't have to paint the vision blocks. The sponson boxes are open with seperate handles so the can be posed open. all the grill doors and handles are seperate so they can be posed open for an engine removal dio. Markings for Austrian, Israeli 1973, 2 US Army MASSTER cammo tanks and the MERDAC cammoed USMC tank that did not exist but that you can make accurate with whats in the kit. The M85 MG has a seperate feed tray cover and the cupola access cover opens so a loading or clearing scene can be created.
The only negatives I can see opening the box are the slightly off cast texture and a short search light cable. the instructions show it stretching between the turret plug and the light. The cable had lots of slack and was very heavy, it draped all over the turret.
This is just a short list but if you like the M60 you will love this kit.
Anyone want some cheap Academy M60s?
TC
-
Mine is on the way from Luckymodel. The kit does come with both types of air cleaners which will allow you to build early and late model M60A1s. I just need to add grenade launchers to model my ride in Germany. As for the thermals after serving on both M1s and A3s, the A3s thermals were better. The A3 used a 5 inch screen for the gunner and TC. The M1 used the standard periscope one eye only eye piece so your resolution was much better. It was also much easier to use with a protective mask on. The M60A3 had a later improved thermal since it came after the M1.
Final question is will I clear the bench to start building it.
TC
-
I'm interested as well as a NJ resident and retired Natiional Guardsman I saw them in service at MacGuire AFB and even had a tour with NJIPMS. If you need more pictures I have several in both paint schemes on the flight line. The Princeton Tiger on the nose was awesome.
TC
-
Don't forget the Tunguska mobile AAA vehicle. And the ROE are probabaly just like early Rolling Thunder.
TC
-
I love the Hog but 12! I bet the Russkies are shaking in their boots. A wing might send a message, gee lets send a tank platoon too. I know we don't talk politics so thats all I'll say.
TC
-
I don't often build aircraft but when I do I add pilots. I like the lived in look and I can paint a reasonable figure. I rediscovered this link for decent aircrew http://www.pj-production.be/en/ . I have not bought anything from them but they may be worth a look.
TC
-
Very nice, I have been a fan of wood furniture. It's much nicer then black plastic. Enjoy!
TC
-
I never really liked super hero comics. I read Sgt Rock, Sgt Fury, Haunted Tank, Wierd War, and other army comics. I wonder how I ended up joining the Army. I also read real books as well especially military history and SF. I enjoy the Marvel movies even though I didn't read the comics.
TC
-
Haven't seen anything yet but the way they engineered the kit it is a definate possibility. I want an A5 myself crewed one for 8 years.
TC
-
I have been waiting for this sheet as a Jersey guy and member of the NJNG I saw these birds over fly several state events. Can't wait to build the bird with Caracal decals.
TC
-
Thats going to be a big one.
TC
Question asked was. "What for, do we go to the Moon?"
in General Discussion
Posted
The future lies out there in space. Yes Earth's resources are finite. Space is infinite. The resources of our solar system would alleviate pollution and environmental damage. The solution is out there and so is mankind's future. If we are to survive as a species we need to leave this rock and explore colonize and grow.
TC