I need to build this
Why no smoke grenade launchers on the tanks?
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Early M60A1s did not have the smoke grenade launchers. They were parts of the RISE upgrades.
In the photos the tanks have the mounts but not the launchers, that is why I was asking. It seems odd to me.
Judging by the air cleaners, the conduit for the launchers and the reinforced lower turret cheeks I think these vehicles are RISE tanks.
Hello Ron,
I remember two (2) of the lower 7th Army M60’s from recruiting ads that would be in our school magazines in the 70’s.
They really piqued my interest because of the colors and wanting to know more about the pattern. I was an avid fan of the Tamiya -A1 back then.
I remember seeing several vehicles from an artillery unit in this pattern in the FRG during 1982.
Respectfully,
Allen
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If I remember right, Lucky, that is the VSS-3. We had the older VSS-1 mounted on our M60’s.
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Hello GTD, I agree with you. That is a nice photograph just waiting to be modeled. I am thinking that this is an initial RISE tank. It looks like the mounting plate for the launcher assembly (M239?) is fixed and the early power cable is prominent. It also looks like the mounting bolts for the grenade reloads are there as well, just no box.
There could be a number of reasons that it is not fully mounted, but, I suspect that they ran out of time before they left for the field.
Respectfully,
Allen
I too was a model builder back in the 80’s while in the army. Can’t tell you how many room inspections came to an end when the CSM or Battalion Commander walked in and zeroed in on one of my models, “did you build that?” Was how every inspection started 
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There’s a mixture in here. Many of the desert grey M60s are A1s, but during my time with the 3rd ACR they were upgraded to rise. I’m a scout, not a tanker so I was just ignoring it for the most part. I do have a guy I keep in touch with that was a tanker in this unit, so I could ask him. My understanding is they were not fully RISE, but got most of the upgrades. This was 1983 and 84.
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I think it was a single shot thing, or maybe a little magazine? I asked someone once, but forgot. In the picture the guy standing next to it is reloading it, I think. Thats my platoon sergeant, incidentally.
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Noticed that you guys “borrowed” a T-62 from somewhere…
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yup, and a pt76 there. We were ‘op for’, I think it was Graf.
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NOICE!
Back in the states, we had to deal with VISMODS at NTC. American vehicles that were made to look like Soviet AFVs, mostly old M551s and M113s with the random Humvee/BRDM-2 mockup
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I remember those vismods - we had a few here and there in my state side unit, too. I really should have taken more pictures.
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Hello Kenai,
I had similar experiences. They even allowed me to work on a few kits while on CQ so we could use them for training.
Old Lucky13 has been posting some nice pictures, eh?
Respectfully,
Allen
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Solution for increasing the fresh air supply for the crew compartment…
At least you get a feel for the armor thickness.
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It looks like that .50 cal is being fed by an ammo can. If I am correct, the .50 were equipped with a solenoid which fired the gun. The solenoid was wired to the triggers for the main gun. This was a cost saving tool while allowing gunners to target practice and train with their optics.
They also used M16s mounted to the side of the cannon for the same purpose.
Btw, no one mentioned the multi barrel pyrotechnics? Anyone remember the miles gear? Aka laser tag?
Edro
Oh yeah, I always include the MILES gear on my models. The whoopie lights and velcro receiver strips add an authentic touch. The blank adapters for the 50s are a little more problematic, but I need to try one someday.
Here’s a good picture of the whoopie lights, these in West Germany in 1986.
Here’s an example of just the velcro. Its easy, authentic, and people always ask what it is. Its a great conversation starter. On the 1/16 M113 coming out, I will scratch build the receiver strips, too.
You can see in this picture it is three strips of 2" velcro hook, but I’ve seen it in two strips as well. Its often peels, and rarely falls off. Look close at the picture, and you can see peeling. In the West Germany picture, the vehicles were freshly painted, and we glued more on before the next big maneuver. MILES was always used on large maneuvers, but people often cheated by unplugging their whoopie lights. Cheaters never win. In my model, I just used one strip of 1/8" tape. This picture was 1983, when we still used M1 helmets. That’s my track. We blew the engine up, blew the pack as they say. When that happens, you don’t sleep until the track is running again. Good training.
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I was an 1811 USMC tank crewman from 84-86. The M60A1 was my ride. Going thru this topic and all the pics reminds me of my time onboard. A few minor details. Some of the ROC 60s appear to have anti slip surfaces applied to the glacis and fenders. This was not unique to them, we sometimes applied an anti slip surface to our tanks too. The way we did it was, we would tape off a square section for the anti slip surface, then paint it. While the paint was still wet, sprinkle on kitty litter or quick dry, then remove the tape. The stuff would suck up the paint and have a rough texture when it dried. Apply your camo pattern, and done. Downside, it wore off pretty quickly but, while it was present, it was much better than accidentally dismounting.
Edro
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