Magach 6B, same but different

[rustybaer]

I scored a BUNCH of cool stuff at the AMPS deal, and while I was organizing and peeking through it all, mostly fuel for more weird and whacky "what-ifs", I realized I had an ESCI M60A1 hull and turret on my shelf of shame, some basic assembly done and the turret basket together with Eduard etch in. It called my name, so once again I dug out my M60 and Magach parts boxes and jumped in. I want to do a "proper" early Magach 6B, the kind both ESCI/Italeri and Academy kitted, but accurate as far as I can within the limits of the kit. I did one a few years ago, but it's not my best effort, and the paint sucks. Therefore, I will do a proper one, best I can now. Over the last few days I've done the suspension and started adding hull fittings, some details missing from the ESCI hull and some IDF-specific additions. One of the kits I picked up on the 18th was the Academy boxing of their Magach with the mine roller, so I'm also going to take a peek there and see if the mounting system is any good. 
What I have as of this morning:

IMG_2025 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2026 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2027 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I may yet use a whole Takom M60A1 kit for one of these, but in the meantime......  I'm having fun.

[JED]

Great job,looks like some time was spent on riveting😳

[rustybaer]

And I counted.

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

[rustybaer]

Got some more stuff done, some new, some already replacing bits I did earlier. I'll get pics up soon, washing windows now, fun.

[BUCKY]

Another good start! Looking forward to seeing more on this one.

[reserve]

Nice extras, such things always make a difference in the final product.

So, got a question for ya...since I can't find a 1st gen M-60 kit for a price that's not stupid, are any of the Magatch kits candidates for conversion to an original old style turret M-60?

Regards,
Mark

[rustybaer]

Mark: Sort of. The Academy Magach 7 kit has a "slick" turret under all the modular armor. I used it for the Tadach I did last year(?). Lots of filling is involved since it's designed to take all those brackets, and you're on your own for the basket, but it can be done. I have pic, in progress....
IMG_1300 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I made it a little more difficult on myself since I scrapped a built kit to get the turret. I did one a few years back too, using the Dragon turret and Takom hull, easier but a whole lot more costly.

[rustybaer]

Back to the current one: I re-did some of the hull bits with better pieces and got into the turret too, scratching the bracket for the mantlet ERA. Greenish parts are Academy, gray is probably DEF resin and the headlights are Verlinden, from the really old M48/M60 update set. I scratched the mantlet bracket mostly because the Academy and ESCI kit parts are not very accurate and I wanted to show the bracket without the ERA blocks, just for fun.
IMG_2028 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Air filter housings are a combination of parts, part Tamiya, part Academy and part Takom, just to get the right "look".

IMG_2029 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Infantry phone is AFV Club on an Eduard mount.

[JCON]

Coming along well!!!

[reserve]

Thanks for the info, I note that DEF offers an early M-60 conversion that includes all era correct parts including tracks. Only trouble is it's expensive (there's a surprise) and one has to purchase a fill kit to get a hull. Probably oughta just buy it and quit whining huh.

Love yer scratchy bits and bobs sir

Regards,
Mark

[rustybaer]

I looked at that exact conversion very recently, same sentiment. I am however starting another hull, to be a slick, using Tamiya/Academy parts. The biggest thing to do is reposition the forward return roller, or rollers, depending on the hull used. I'm also going goofy trying to get the glacis right. In the meantime, I started the hull ERA on the Magach, separating the lower glacis tiles and doing stand-offs for all:
IMG_2131 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I suppose I could buy the AFV Club kit for $85+, but I still have all these parts, plus I just picked up another Academy kit with the mine roller.
And, thanks. I may be a little obsessive about some stuff, but it's still fun.

[JCON]

As long as you have fun that's all that matters!!!

[Dukemaddog]

I second Joe's comment. And your fun sure outshines mine! Way to go!!

[JED]

It certainly looks like you're having fun and im having fun watching your work

[rustybaer]

I finished the hull ERA and started the turret, scratching the mortar mount while I was there. Fun! I'm using the old Verlinden "Blazer" kit, actually more accurate then either Italeri or Academy. It's puddle cast so lots of sanding.....
IMG_2276 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[reserve]

Cool. I recall working with Verlinden resin on many occasions, always a ton of sanding and fiddly stuff to sort out. I have, somewhere, the M-60 A1 + add on from them gathering dust...it'll take quite the surge of cockiness before I get it out to actually work with it

Regards,
Mark

[rustybaer]

Mark, it's usually worth it, except for some of their old PE, not always an improvement over even rough kit parts. Their research was usually very good though, and especially for how old most of the molds are, very well cast, minimal bubbles and good detail. I still grab the "Blazer" conversions at shows whenever I see them, and the older M48/60 update sets too.

[rustybaer]

Here;s a little actual progress: turret ERA is all on and I'm doing the side rails and other small bits. It's easier to scratch most of this stuff rather than try and correct the kit parts.
IMG_2279 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_2280 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm trying hard on this one the get the turret ERA "right", but I also have a couple of different configurations in various reference books. Best I can tell, when the "Gal" fire control system was added, along with several other visible mods, some changes were also made to the turret ERA. Unfortunately all my good pics are of the later tanks.

[JCON]

Looking good sir!!!