Ive just ordered a couple of Afv club T142 track sets so im getting ready to roll.Even ordered some Eduard etch for Esci kits which are now OOP so lucky to get 3 sets.
Cheers from Richard
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Those PE sets are a great buy because they include the bustle rack mess, the stowage bins handles, the fender brackets and other minor details that the model needs. 
And especially the searchlight mount at the back of the turret.
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Hi Nikos.
Yes i agree with you.Ive just tidied my stash and seen how many M60s i have.Found also i have x2 sets of the Afv club T142 links so thats 2 tanks catered for.I also discovered i have a Dragon IDF m60 with dozer blade.Im undecided what this one will become.I might settle making it as an m60 in U.S guard service and save the Blazer armour for another build.Definately wanr to do a Magach 3 sometime with Blazer armour.Would be great if Takom make a Magach 3 or the A5 version with Blazer.In my stash i have.
1/.Tamiya M60a3 started.
2/ Tamiya M60A1 ERA incomplete.
3/ Esci M60a3 TTS.started
4/Esci Magach 6.
5/ Italeri M60a1.
6/Italeri M6a3 TTS.
7/ Dragon IDF Magach 6 with dozer blade.
8/DEF models M60 conversion,Turret sadly shrunken in mould.
So i have a few to keep me busy
I’m in the beginning stages of a build using the DEF M60 turret and and AFV Club hull (mostly) and found I had to toss the bottom of the DEF turret due to shrinkage/warpage, one of the other or both. I ended up using the lower part of a plastic turret, probably Academy since I have a bunch of parts kits. It’s the second time I’ve used the DEF set and I seem to remember having no problem the first time. Hmmm… Anyway, all I’ve done so far is get the basic hull and turret together, and relocating the forward-most return rollers.
IMG_4000 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I’m using the current Dragon DS tracks, molded in black and very similar to the flexible plastic AFV Club uses. The Urdan cupola is from a scrapped Academy Magach 7 build that I fluffed the paint on.
I’ve found that the M60 series is at least as much fun to do variants of as the Sherman, and there are some very useable kits out there with excellent aftermarket support too.
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I wanted to build My Desert Storm M60A1 with ERA. Only Tamiya made the kit at the time. After looking at the kit, I went with the ESCI hull and Tamiya Turret. I borrowed some ESCI turret parts, a metal barrel and some AFV club track. If you do not want a 900 part kit, go with the ESCI. Best kit in the lower part count category.
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Hi Russ.
I had exactly the same happen with my Def models M60 conversion!!!.I took both a Tamiya lower hull and Esci and the turret didnt cover all the turret ring on both hull tops.Definately shrinkage and a friend said probably they took a casting and remoulded so eventually shrinkage.Most annoying and i did inform Def but never replied after 2 e.mails.I did think about bulking out the bottom of the turret maybe with epoxy and sanding to shape.Ive got the Dragon m60 with dozer so might use this one for probably a guard m60.Im hoping DEF might attend the Ipms Nationals here in U.K in November and i will draw his attention to the castings.Mine wasnt exactly cheap at 50 pounds.Hope your IDf m60 doesnt cause you too much grief.Great work so.far!!!.
Happy bench time from Richard
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Like you also said the M60 is a great area to model.So many nations who used and use them still.I have many to do and always enjoy them.The Esci kits do fine for me without spending a fortune.The Afv and Takom ones are 60 to 70 pounds here in the u.k.My Italeri and Esci ones sometimes cost me 15 to 20 pounds and tracks another 15 so good value to me.
All the best from Richard
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Hi to you.
The Esci and Italeri kits are nice to make apart from the tracks but fine for my standards of modelling.I would be wary of the Takom.and Afv kits as id hate to pay 70 pounds and make a right fudge up of it.The Esci and Italeri can be picked up real cheap at shows in u.k.Like i say its not always the kit but what the modeller does with it and above all the enjoyment of making.Plus the friendship and a shared hobby with other modellers is great.
Happy modelling from Richard
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Richard: the AFV Club hull had a true to scale turret ring so I was going to have to do something different anyway. I’ll post a pic of the turret Ring adapter later.
Luckily here the Takom Brave Tiger (M60H) kits are around $45 US now, and it’s easy to use an older Tamiya/Academy/Esci turret on the hull, making for a good start.
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Hi Russ.Sounds a good plan using the brave tiger kit.I might consider getting one as its such a different looking.tank.I must dig my.M60 conversion out and see what i can do to knock him into shape.
Cheers from Richard