Hi everyone,
I started a new project today, from Dragon IDF Magach 3,
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Nice. Looks like you’re building the Dragon kit. I think it’s a very nice kit.
Here’s some reference images to help you with your build. 
M48A4 Magach 3 - WalkAround - NET-MAQUETTES
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Thanks for the link !! I will need it for sure.
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Did they have the 105mm gun in '67?
Ken
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Before the Six-day War (1967)
Israel made an application to the US in 1955 to purchase 60 M47 tanks and after the US refused, Israel applied again in 1958, this time to purchase 100 M47 tanks but the answer was the same.
In the early 1960’s, Israel signed a deal with West Germany, for the purchasing of 150 M48A2. However, due to strong Arab nations opposition, out of the 150 tanks planned to be delivered, only 40 did Israel finally receive. Since West Germany didn’t fully fulfill its obligations, the US had decided to supply the remaining 110 M48A2 tanks and to add another 100 M48 tanks. In 1965, Israel received 90 M48 tanks from the US and another 120 M48 tanks in 1966. At this time Israel had 250 M48 tanks, 150 of them M48A1 and 100 of them M48A2, all of these armed with a 90mm main gun.
Israel upgraded those tanks to M48A3’s by replacing their engines and transmissions with newer models. These tanks were also fitted with a new 105mm L7 gun (same as on the Centurion MBT) and with the Israeli Urdan cupola. (All Israeli M48 tanks were upgraded to M48A3 by the beginning of Yom Kippur War).
During the Six-day War (1967)
Only 120 M48 tanks out of a total of 250 M48 were in combat readiness by the beginning of the war, and took part of it, mostly in the Sinai front against the Egyptian army. During the war Israel captured about 100 M48 and M48A1 from Jordan, when Jordan had only 170 M48 tanks. (Israel decided not to take M47 tanks left by the Jordanian army, since they were already obsolete at that time).
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Some work today, rear plate details.
One mistake by Dragon here, it’s not J21(J22) but D21(D22).
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Does accuracy interest you for this model and how much? (careful it is a trick question 
)
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Yes they did have a few tanks already upgraded to Magach 3 standard. The issue is that most of the photos have been modified for censorship reasons. You can notice photos where the gun is blurred or the air cleaners are hidden with sandbags by the crews.
Mmhhh… yes it does… but I’m not going to get any AM set or 2000 hrs scratch session. 
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As you wrote above, all Magach 3 tanks up to the Yom Kippur War were either upgraded M48, M48A1 or M48A2. Depending on the time frame you decide for your build you need to choose the proper details.
For example, you need to remove the reinforcing ribs from the rear engine doors, because those are a M48A3 mod B characteristic, that the IDF got after the Yom Kippur War.
Another detail that needs to be matched are the front lights with the return rolles and the engine deck. Square front light protecting covers match with three return rollers with M48A2 engine deck (which is supplied in the kit but not mentioned).
Five return rollers match with rounded protective covers for the front lights with M48A3 engine deck.
This also goes for the front fenders and their mounting brackets. We can work out the details you need to choose but you can always go on with the build and donot bother because Dragon does not make it easy for someone to build a fairly accurate Magach 3. If one follows the instructions he will end up with a good looking model that looks the part. Your model your choice…
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Mmhhh I think Dragon only has the 105mm gun on this box, so it will have to be a M48 A3 after the Y.K War ? Am I correct ?
Otherwise I would have to go for a A2 or earlier.
So picking a A3 as a base tank, I can leave the rear engine doors ?
The issue is a bit more complex.
If you follow the instructions of the kit you get a mix of details. The front fenders and lightguards are those of an A2 whilst the return rollers, the rear engine doors and the engine deck are those of an A3 mod B.
This is a Magach 3 built on a M48A2. Notice the return rollers, the light guards, the front fender and the fender brackets setup.
Also here notice that the rear engine doors do not have the extra ribs you have on your model
This is a Magach 3 built on M48A1. Notice the differences with the above photos
Again notice the rear doors
The easiest way to get an accurate model from the kit is to use the rear engine doors provided in sprue G or remove the ribs from the ones you have already installed
and use the round light guards that are provided in the kit instead of the square ones.
I can post more photos if you want for reference. I can also post the Dragon instructions for the round lights.
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Oh I see !!! The photos helped immensely
Thanks !!!
I’ll remove those ribs it will be easier than hack the rear deck now.
It would be great to have more references along the way .
Next I might start work on the return rollers and wheels, painting and building them.
Any issues with those ?
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No serious issues with those.
Here are the Dragon instructions for the round lights
all the parts are in the kit.
And some more photos, notice the various cupolas used.
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Great photos , thanks !!
It must have been a logistical nightmare with spare parts for all those different versions, sometimes they must have ended up with a Frankenstein Tank.
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