Those who dip in regularly to the site may have noticed that of late I’ve shown a fair bit of interest in the M48 series, and have churned out two versions in fairly short order. I was also taken with the A5 version, but as to my then knowledge, couldn’t justify its purchase let alone assembly, as it never served in Cold War Europe. I have a rather foolish self-imposed ruling in that I model only those equipments which saw service in Europe, really restricting myself to NATO’s Central Region. Just for information, I also model the opposition but geographically that isn’t quite as pure. The idea was to being some order to the stash, but I can actually be flexible(!)
I recently discovered that in fact the M48A5 had ventured to Italy on Exercise Display Determination in September 1986, so there was the logic I required. I gleaned all this off the Takom instruction sheet on Scalemates; a further bonus to being able to add this variant to the collection is that it appears to be in a desert version of the MERDC scheme.
I have an Academy A5 kit so I won’t be pursuing the Takom kit; all I really want to do is to map across the colour scheme so that I have a representative tank as deployed in Italy on exercise in 1986.
The Takom instructions on Scalemates are not of particular good quality and I really need to identify a better version (“Buy the kit you cheapskate” I hear you cry.
So, what I’m after folks, is answers to the following questions:
Is the Takom illustration on their instruction sheet of the M48A5 an actual MERDC scheme; if so which one?
If it is, is there a better plan of the tank in that scheme anywhere?
Is there a colour chart showing the MERDC scheme and its constituent colours anywhere? I will need this to try and identify enamel equivalents. I realise that most modelers these days are familiar with acrylics and that there may even be sets that are specifically designed for MERDC. That said, even a study of such a paint set would be valuable, once the particular MERDC scheme is established,
Personally, I would get the Takom kit. The Academy kit has some issues and it has some parts that were only used by the ROK. The fenders are widened to fit the side skirts, the track sucks, simplified drive sprockets, etc., etc., etc…
If you are refering to the scheme on the Takom instructions for the Carolina National Guard, yes, it was the Desert Grey scheme on the below page of a good guide to MERDC camo and the colors that were used.
A US National Guard Unit with M48A5 was deployed to Germany REFORGER 85 Central Guardian during January 1985, MERDC summer verdant with white winter application. TANKOGRAD 3039 shows some photos.
That was quick! Thanks Gino; I’m aware of the shortcomings in the Academy version, but I think everything is there less the right tracks and I thought a set of AFV Club’s T-142 tracks would fix that.
Yes, the NG version is the one I’m keen to do. Desert Grey it is then! I’'ll certainly try and make it into something presentable, and Tamiya Buff is a great concealer(!)
I’ll start by digging into the refs you provide while awaiting the tracks.
The first one I pulled up shows the three color scheme. But the four color scheme is out there - I sold one to someone on here a few years ago. You can expect this kind of quality:
There is a page on the Cybermodeler website that has the Grey Desert MERDC pattern for the M48, and another for the Summer Verdant pattern; since all the MERDC patterns are identical for a given vehicle except for the color choices, you can use that as a base.
IIRC the fenders are the right width but the track is too narrow. Replacing it with AFV Club track works, of course, but would need the drive sprocket widened.
Oh, cool! Somebody still links to a site I put up almost 25 years ago (But one that will be gone in a week’s time, as my ISP will stop providing home pages after THIRTY YEARS — which reminds me that I need to move it elsewhere sooner rather than later …)
It doesn’t have the M48A5, but it does have the M60A1 hull and turret plus the M48A1/A2 turret, so I suppose you can piece together an acceptable M48A5 pattern from that. (A previous owner filled in one colour on the M60 pattern with a pencil, that wasn’t me )
Well, thank all for your help and suggestions; I’m afraid I will still plough on with the Academy kit, though I take the points raised (I have a perverse nature); if I have to widen the sprocket with a fillet of card or similar, then so be it. The colours available have been identified, and although I prefer enamels I am not averse to using acrylics if needs must. So, I think I’m looking at a base colour of Humbrol Khaki Drill - out of production but I’ll find a tin somewhere. Tamiya Flat Earth XF-52, and for the detailed stuff, black from whatever, and that shade of “yellow”. Hmmm. The I remembered, I have an old Humbrol tin of Afrika Korps Desert Yellow, and I think that will do nicely. Follow the patterns as best I can, and I think/hope that will be that; a little further down the line mind, I’ve got lots on at the moment.
It follows, and I should have included this question. From the murky pic on Scalemates’ Takom Instructions, I can hardly see any markings; anyone care to enlighten me - if you know of course, North Carolina National Guard, 1986. I imagine there must be at least a serial number somewhere, and a “US Army” even if small and in black.
And a crew will be required, but I think I’ve got that covered; CVC helmets presumably?
Even if no one knows, thanks again for all the help re the colour scheme.
TB 43-0209 also has a chapter on markings, but it’s generic so you’d have to work out yourself what exactly would be on a tank from any given unit. I can photograph it too, if you want.
Likely because the program didn’t start until October 1975, so by the time that pub came out not many had yet ben converted,
But you can see the in the photo I poste above, it does show the A5, albeit with three tone camo. As I said, there exists one with the four color scheme.
(But one that will be gone in a week’s time, as my ISP will stop providing home pages after THIRTY YEARS 
— which reminds me that I need to move it elsewhere sooner rather than later …)
