Is it possible to do this as i want a M48A5 with chevron tracks, M1 cupola and early air filter boxes.
best regards
Ole Sæterbø
No, M48A5s had top-loading air filters. Some early ones did use the M1 cupola and chevron tracks though.
Most had the standard setup of urdan cupola, T142 tracks, smoke grenade launchers, etc. as in the Takom kit.
All 3 of the above have urdan cupolas, they do have T97E2 chevron tracks though.
Hard to find good pictures of the actual tanks on the net that don’t include “World of Tanks” imagery.
I`ve seen a picture of an M48A5 with early M1 cupola without the riser i believe. It also had chevron tracks and early air filter boxes. Anyhow the M1 cupola seems to be rare. Whereas the air filter boxes and tracks varied, What about replacement of the kit supplied gun barrel with an wm one. Which one to choose. I want one with the canvas included.
best regards
Ole
I would just get a Takom M48A5 kit. It has all you need and will most likely be cheaper in the long run.
If you must, the Def Model barrel is nice.
The Takom M48A3 kit includes all the m48a5 parts except the decals. So you can get a A5 from the kit and use parts to backdate it
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What about the track and air filter boxes combinations? Some more common than others?
best regards
Ole
Is there a specific vehicle/country you want to build or a generic early M48A5?
A Norwegian and couple of american ones with differences in details. But also other nations M48 is interesting.
best regards
Ole
Lets start with the Norwegian
You get the M48A5 kit and build almost out of the box. You need to add the Wegman smoke launchers (they are included in the Revell M48A2GA2 kit or some after market company or source the launchers from a Leopard kit and scratchbuild the mount). You also need to add a holder for something that I have no knowledge of on the left side of the bustle rack.
In step 16 of the instructions do not use the .50 cal mount but the scissor mount for the M60 MG
And you also need the license plates.
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For a US Army one you can go with the M48A5 kit again OOB and with the decals included in the kit.
There were some US Army vehicles with T97 tracks but they are few and you can buy the T97 track separately from TAKOM.
For variation you can add a dozer blade, Perfect Scale makes one for the Dragon kit but you will have no problem adding it to the TAKOM kit. Take in mind that the conversion requires you to remove a part off the lower front hull.
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I didn’t realize that. Apparently, you can build a fully updated M48A5 from the M48A3 Mod B box. All you would need is the T142 tracks.
Actually, looking at the sprues, you get lots of extra parts, including a 3rd barrel and mantlet cover, hmm. Not sure what the 2nd 105mm barrel is, maybe a British L7A2 as used by the IDF on their Magach 3s? (Future release?)
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The barrel on D sprue, the one with the lower turret half, is the CM-11 kit barrel, a M68 with thermal shroud
Nice to see my old walkaround is still useful. I think the holder you are referring to is for a fire extinguisher (but not sure…)
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It is a great walkaround, showing many details. I always look it up when building a M48. 
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Ah, that makes sense. I guess the missing fenders and other extra parts are from the CM-11 as well. Wishful thinking for a Magach 3 coming.
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It looks like it could be a chemical decontamination sprayer.
Ken
