1/35 Israeli Defence Force M60 A1 'Blazer'..

[spanner570]

After making that IDF M-51 Sherman a few weeks back, I rather liked the look of this as a follow on.


I don't use, nor want, after market stuff, so apart from some scratch built stowage clobber, this will be OOB. It might not be of much interest being basic, but I like all the nobbly bits on the tank.


Here is the box art. I won't bore you good folks with the sprue shots.





Cheers all,


Ron

 

[PaulTRose]

look forward to seeing this go together


at the starat of the year i did an Academy IDF M60 Blazer.....like to see how the two compare

 

[spanner570]

Thanks Paul, but I can't wait, so I'm starting it tomorrow......


I might come up with something for the 2017 G.B. Plenty of time to decide just what.

 

[papa 695]

Looking forward to seeing this come together Ron.

 

[spanner570]

Thanks Ian.


I was considering keeping it for the 2017 G.B., but when you reach a certain age, waiting isn't an option any more! O.o  

 

[Snowman]

You are a no-nonsense man, Ron! :D


I'll be watching! :ph34r:

 

[spanner570]

No comedians please.........Officer on parade!


Nice to have you along, Gavin.


Seeing as how Mr. Sun refused to come out and play today, I did me the wheels, drive sprockets and some bits on the lower hull. No problems except the plastic seems a bit soft and burrs over easily when cleaning up. Meaning you have to constantly 'scrape' all the edges.


 


Strewth, Shock absorbers!.......at least I presume that's what they are.


 


Cheers,


Ron

 

[Ian M]

Nice choice Ron. 
Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today

 

[Snowman]

The mold seems rather thin & "rough" for the lack of a better term, in your super clear close up of the wheels.... :o

 

[spanner570]

The mold seems rather thin & "rough" for the lack of a better term, in your super clear close up of the wheels.... :o

Quite right too, Ian!


Gavin, at first glance, that is what I though, but it is in fact a clever bit of design. The thin looking top of the lower hull is actually a very fine taper, ending in a paper thin length of plastic. The upper hull slides inside this and pushes the thin bit out. Resulting in a perfect 'push' fit, with no gaps......Damn clever, what?!


Here is a picture of the joint. A loose fit, but you can clearly see the intended bulge where the two pieces join.


 


Cheers,


Ron

 

[monica]

real nice work so far on this one Ron,is looking good so far,very different setup from


a ww2 tank, :D

 

[spanner570]

Thanks Monica. They sure are different.


I've not much interest in modern armour, but since I started to build this, I am learning a thing or two. So it at least proves that the thing sat on my neck is still able to absorb information.......


Here is the completed lower hull a**e end. 





....and the front.


It annoys me when parts are moulded as one, when they are in fact separate items, as these boxes should be. But the kit has them as one piece, so I cut them into individual boxes.





Learning No.1....In my ignorance, I didn't know how this extra 'armour' worked, so for thicko folks like me, here's how.


The armour plating consisted of metal boxes lined with explosives that, once hit by anti-tank rounds exploded internally, crushing the projectile and thus preventing it from penetrating the tank......


EDIT - The above is duff info., please view Gavin's excellent video below.


Next up, the upper hull.


Cheers,


Ron

 

[american]

I love the complexity of Israeli tanks. Good job . I will watching you! I like it!

 

[Snowman]

Damn clever, what?!

Neeto!! B|

 

[Snowman]

The armour plating consisted of metal boxes filled with explosives that, once hit by anti-tank bullets, exploded internally, crushing the bullet and thus preventing it from penetrating the tank......here endeth the lesson.

I don't want to be a "kill-joy", but the "reactive armour" was created to defeat shaped charge warheads as you will find with RPG's and other anti tank missile systems.

 

[spanner570]

There you go....never always trust what you read on the internet.


I just read the metal box 'armour' on the M-60's were full of explosives and sort of went off and trapped/melted whatever projectile was fired at the tank. Thus preventing crew compartment penetration by said projectile...hey ho, not to worry......

 

[monica]

this one is progressing very nice, :D

 

[Pikeman]

Just caught up with this Ron,making good progress so far nice job 

 

[spanner570]

Thanks Monica and Stuart.


Here is the completed upper hull. Bit of a battle with the headlight area, but I won!








Cheers,


Ron

 

[spanner570]

I've just completed this thingy that goes on the back of the turret.....Good job I was an Octopus in a previous life!





Cheers,


Ron