M-48 A-2 Patton Tank

The similar Tamiya kit leaves this old (1960's!)Monogram kit in the dust (so to speak). I bought this kit because I wanted a cheap model to try out the paint chipping and weathering techniques I saw on the internet. Overall fit was fair to poor. The bottom hull was particularly bad and required a fair amount of putty and sanding work. It has some details but they are fairly crude. For example, all the gun barrels were solid, including the main gun. I had to drill and bore holes in each. The periscope windows were solid and I had to drill and scrape opening for the viewers. There were a number of other detail modifications (you can see them on my photos). Nevertheless, I actually had fun making these modifications and detailing. That was the purpose of this project, to develop techniques and skills. That aspect aside, you're better off spending a couple of extra bucks and get the Tamiya kit.

This kit is identical to the monogram kit of the same tank. Very simple with large pieces that for the most part fit together. The one difficulty is the lower hull assembly (2 Sides and the back), which was very frustrating just to get the parts to fit right. In the end I went with the imperfect fit, and used putty snd sand paper to make it look right. The parts had moderate flash and most required cleanup before assembly. I didn't worry to much about this as I got the kit for a very good price. All in all if you are willing to put in the effort as I was you will wind up with a rather nice result with not a lot of tme invested.

This is a simple kit with large pieces and no photo etch parts. it is a good kit for the young modeler or someone just starting to build military kits. The current molding of this kit is showing it's age. There is flash on the parts trees. The tracks are rubber band type that must be joined together. Most glues won't work. I staple them and hide the staples under a road wheel.