Thanks for pointing that out, had not noticed this detail before.
Did they have thermal sights? I donât think so as when I joined the Guard in '91 my unit had these old dogs and the I think the guys told me they still had IR sights.
I came off Active and was surprised to here that but it was a long time ago.
By the way, Takomâs 'A5 is on ebay nowâŠ
No, but neither did the original M60A3. M60A3 TTS was a later upgrade in the mid '80s.
These had the FCS of the A1s. Considering how important korea was, Iâm shocked that they were sent there.
Never seen a A3 that did t have TTS.
Yup, early and later M60A3s.
Tank EncyclopediaâŠ
" The M60A3 tank was built in two configurations. The earlier version, sometimes referred to as the M60A3 Passive, uses the same passive gunnerâs sight as the A1 RISE Passive and the latest version has a Tank Thermal Sight (TTS). The M60A1, RISE, and RISE Passive tanks used a coincidence rangefinder and the mechanical M19 ballistic computer. The M60A3 uses a laser based rangefinder and the solid state M21 ballistic computer.
Very much so. The ARVN 90mm gunned M48 had done quite well against their NVA T-54s and Type 59s foes during the Vietnam War in 1972. As had the Israeli 105mm upgunned M48s against Arab T-54/55s and T-62s in 1973. The upgunned M48A5 was essentially the equivalent of the original M60 MBT, with a few upgrades.
we had an M48a5 for a short while at work plus three or four other 48âs. Honestly the bigger turret looked like it was built for the M48 hull. There was some talk about a new upgraded 12 cylinder engine going in both hulls but that sorta died on the vine. At the time, the M1 was just starting to become a program, and what we see now was three to five years out.
Sometime very close to Christmas (1976 or maybe as late as 79) they did some sort of a build with all the latest bells and whistles for the power pack. I baby sat the dyno to get about 25 of power packs shipped on the A5 and some M60 project. TACOM seemed to loose Interest, and that was the last of that power pack. Later (around 1980 or 81) we did the M60 with the gas turbine power pack, and at least one M48 was targeted for this power pack as well. Canât remember if we ever saw the M48 with the new power pack, but did see the M60 in the flesh.
Iâd really like for Tacom to kit the bridge layer, and maybe a couple other odd balls
gary
The Marines used the M60 with ERA, and the Army did as well, have always heard they were different. I have the Marine kit and maybe a tamiya Army kit somewhere. Whatâs the difference? Plus I wonder why they never experimented with the ERA on the M48 hull.
gary
The Marines were the only ones that used ERA on their M60A1 RISE tanks. By the time Desert Storm started, the Army was almost entirely fielding the M1 and M1A1, with some small units still using the M60A3 TTS.
The Saudis and Egyptians were using M60A3s as well.
The M48A5 used an M48 hull and turret, it wasnât any bigger than previously. SableLiger is correct as well, US Army didnât use the ERA tiles on their M60s.
Some Guard units did not transition from M60s to M1s until the early/mid 90âs. I wonder if they had any ERA for those guys, just in case?
Just saw Andyâs has all of the new M48 sires (A3, A5, M247) for pre order, due in mid-late December.
After watching the video in its entirety, I want to build all three of them. I just may settle with the M48A3 mod B first, then the M48A5.
I seriously need to buy one of Takomâs M60s as well.
Look closely at the M247 box coverâŠ
Anything in particular? i can see the box art shows markings for the US Army Air Defense Artillery School at Ft. Bliss, TX.
Opps- think I made mistake, never mind.
Definitely getting the A5, wanted for a while but the dragon kit is pricey
The Lebanese decals in the A5 is a very welcome addition, the A3 has all the mainstream versions the parts/molding look really sharp. The tracks might be a deterrent to some people because of the time/effort but I will build those everyday over vinyl or metal ones.