SPA Modeler

Thanks John. The M48 is an evolutionary development from the M47. The same suspension and power pack (initially) as the M47, but the M48 had a new hull layout and new turret design. The Tamiya M48 is a good kit for its age, but it is actually tall in stature, not short. When Tamiya made their measurements with a real M48, that vehicle supposedly had no power pack installed, so the suspension was not compressed to its usual level.

Yesterday I added on the early style grab rails on the turret sides using parts from my spares bin.





Now I just need to add the rod frame type guards on the commander’s and gunner’s sights and the backdating of the turret will be completed. Next up, cast armor texture.

A little more progress to post. Over on Armorama, it was pointed out to me that the turrets had some external “dimples” welded into the armor where the gun trunnions attach to the turret sides. So I cut some small pieces of tube styrene and glued them into the appropriate spots



Then I sanded them to a more scale thickness, doused them with liquid cement, and gave a bit of weld texture around the edges with a toothpick.



Now I can proceed to adding the cast armor texture where needed... nearly all of the turret and much of the front and rear hull...

Great idea using the tubing to replicate the dimples.

I have to start looking here more often. I'm missing killer stuff and this is a great example. Keep slinging it.

Thanks guys. I’m in the middle of adding the cast armor texture, so I should have more updates in a few days. It’s not a quick process.

One more update- I finished adding the cast armor texture a bit more rapidly than I thought that I would using Mr Surfacer and a Microbrush.





and a couple close ups





it should look good under a coat of paint...

This will be my last update on this until next week. Have plans for the weekend, so I won’t get any bench time.

Wow! That looks very effective Carlos!

Can't wait to see it with some paint.

Thank you Stuart.

I’m with you on the paint Mike. I just have a few more bits to add before I can get some paint on there.