I would put the Esci kits at number 3. They are better than even the new Academy kits in my opinion.
I know new reboxings of some Tamiya Kits (with the “25” prefix on the kit number) are coming with Aber PE and barrel kits. I hope they’ll release the M60A1 and M60A3 with Aber PE parts and barrels.
Italeri/Esci provides a better hull/suspension compared to the Academy/Tamiya ones. Especially the early motorized kits with the huge gaps at the rear of the hull. The latest Academy M60A2 is probably the most improved kit of the Tamiya/Academy line (Academy kits are very similar to the Tamiya ones )
With all the better kits on the market, even PE and metal barrels wouldn’t be enough for me to buy a Tamiya kit. They are still soft on details and have lots of simplified parts. I am not a Tamiya fanboy. There are lots of other companies better than they are.
Indeed there are. And often the similarly old kits from other manufacturers are cheaper (own experience).
The AMT-kit is a weird one. Funny, soft toylike plastic. Lots of flash and weird instructions. It does however show the installation for the xenon-light though.
Yeah, I agree. Like I mentioned earlier, Takom and AFV Club provide the best kit in terms of details.
For those who have a few old Tamiya and Academy kits lying around, SOL Model out of Korea makes some extensive update sets for them, read almost complete kits.
They pretty much change out huge sections (upper hull, turret, etc.) to correct them. They cover just about the whole kit minus the lower hull and running gear, which are probably the worst parts of them. No new roadwheels either, but other companies make them.
To me, they are not worth it. Why throw more money at a turd when there are better, more up to date options out there? But here they are.
M60A1/A3 Turret
M60A2 Turret and rear plate (CBSS Housing)
M60A1/A3 Upper Hull
M728 CEV Conversion
Plus I/E gives you separate fender supports.
Another M60 version not yet discussed is/was the M60-2000/120S prototype/update kit.
The General Dynamics Land Systems GLDS) M60-2000 or 120S was an upgrade of the M60 tank. The development of the M60-2000 was initiated primarily due to the large number of M60 main battle tanks in service with many Middle Eastern nations unable to afford a sufficient force of more modern main battle tanks. The upgrade was marketed at those M60 users with the industrial capability to convert the tanks themselves. The M60-2000/120S was a GDLS supplied conversion kit that married the turret of the M1A1 Abrams to an M60A1/A3 hull, offering many features of the M1A1 Abrams to existing M60 users at a reduced cost.
Unfortunately, there is no kit nor conversion set for one that I know of.
My ranking
- AFV Club M60s (The best A2 for sure)
- Takom M60A1 and A3 (No A2 from Takom)
- AMT/ESCI/Revell/Italeri (No A2 from them)
- Academy M60A2 only
- Dragon M60 and A2 - hull dimensions and shape are too off for me.
- Academy copies/small updates of Tamiya M60A1 and A3
- Tamiya M60A1 (USMC version) and A3
- Older Tamiya A1 and A2 - Toy-like and not worth the effort in my opinion
Looks like you really like the M60A2.
Not really b/c it’s one of the ugliest tanks ever and it was a failed attempt. But ugly ones need love, too.
Sounds like the SOP for soldiers out on a Friday night (sorry, did I say that out loud?)
Even uglies need a little lovin’; bee a good wingman and give the ugly one some love.
Was this privately owned M60 thus the Berlin paint scheme?
I watched few youtube videos where guys in UK have their own tanks (military surplus) and play in dirt.
I don’t think so. It all looks pretty state owned military, with the guns and uniforms and such. Loaded Hoffman on the barrel.
Looks like a test to me? The pattern looks similar yet different to Berlin-scheme; more squares and colours. And then the M60 with all the rags and covers…
No, it was a service wagon. Part of a test/Exercise I think in the Berlin Area. I was told about it a while ago from someone who had all the info.
Well, in that case there has to be more photographs of this Berlin M60 tank and I hope they find their way here as I would love to build it and just like this photo place it next to the Berlin Chieftain
The ragged out M60 next to it reminds me of a Sherman Hessian camo from WW2. Looks cool and I do hope more of it photos find their way here.
Edit note: I spent about an hour googling M60 in Berlin camo and M60 rag/tag camo netting and came up empty.
Here’s one I found and judging by the rags it is the same tank.
I also noticed how badly these tanks stick out! That one behind the bushes is a shining beacon!
I would say the one in your image Ron is the far RH M60 in my image of the 3 together.
The one behind the berm next to the Chieftain in your pic is the one next to the Chieftain in my pic.
Mike, I think the pictures if any will be few and far between. I was thinking about it more and i think it was more of a demo /display rather than an exercise there, so the U.S kit would of gone back to its base/normal colour/configuration after the event.
Ron, dont forget, the devised Berlin tank Sqn cam was only primarily for close urban/built up area fighting where it is very effective as cam - it was not designed for open country rural fighting