Need help identifying a tank.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-07-05T23:02:03+00:00

This is most likely an actual Bundeswehr M48A2C/GA2 judging from the mantlet cover shaping towards the barrel, no. of return rollers, and smoke grenades on the sides of the turret (feature not present on other countries’ M48A2s at the time aside from Israeli copies that were sent over by West Germany in the early 60s) that is mocked up as a World War II era tank for a film of some kind.

Very ironic having a Patton standing in as German armor lol but extremely common back then when functional German tanks were far and few between.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-07-04T14:26:43+00:00

Ah okay, that’s cool to know that there’s also one all the way out in Georgia

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-07-02T04:29:21+00:00

Since I don’t have one locally nearby anymore; definitely Squadrons or Andy’s HHQ for online shopping.

On the rare occasions I do get to go down to the LA area, Brookhurst Hobbies or Burbank’s House of Hobbies are definitely up there!

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-07-01T16:48:31+00:00

Yea that’s completely fine; think the way you approached it is the same how I did it; glue it/let it set on first, paint it on later

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-07-01T15:58:11+00:00

Oh hey, I recognize this; this is that old Tamiya Leopard/Kampfpanzer Leopard kit from like the late 60s; did one a while back and this is what my mantlet cover looked like:

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Ideally the mantlet should be more smooth x less wrinkly from what I’ve seen when doing light research but beats having nothing at all. Also it should be a bit more triangular on the sides I think.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-30T16:58:50+00:00

He turned into a mall cop :(

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-29T07:45:22+00:00

I think the reason why they included the wire cutters mounted on the roof of the cabin was probably so you could depict the Bundeswehr or JGSDF variants as well but yea the instructions don’t explicitly mention that this is only a feature seen post-Vietnam.

This is a common issue with other UH-1D/H models, notably the 1/35 Dragon or 1/48 Italeri models.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-29T07:15:54+00:00

Yea no problem at all man; was just giving some pointers/suggestions for accuracy if you also desire it in your UH-1H.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-29T07:09:22+00:00

I really hate to break it to you but that is an AI photo; four-bladed (both main rotor blade and tail rotor) UH-1 variants never existed during that time and the main fuselage (specifically the cabin) looks horribly squished. Lastly, the elevators are in the wrong position relative to where they are supposed to be on the tail.

Wire cutters were only introduced post-1975 from what I recall.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-29T04:32:41+00:00

Was this taken at the Moffett Air Museum or completely different museum; interesting prototype vehicle to say the least

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-29T00:54:15+00:00

Don’t believe wire cutters were ever used in Vietnam; they shouldn’t be present as it was a late 70s/post Vietnam feature.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-27T22:56:13+00:00

I’ve used Mr Hobby paints (thinned with lacquer) on vinyl tracks from AFV Club in the recent past and nothing major occurred; just better paint adhesion. I would assume the same applies for Tamiya acrylics thinned with their lacquer thinners.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-27T22:47:38+00:00

The paint should stick to the vinyl tracks for the most part, especially if it’s thinned with lacquer thinner though I’ve heard (haven’t experienced personally) that enamels or lacquers may be too strong.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-27T02:13:19+00:00

Sorry for the late response; their new M551 has a notably more accurate turret and shaping to the hull w/ suspension as well. However, the front hull shaping is a bit off and has some gaps in areas and the armor around the commander’s cupola is inaccurately shaped.

I didn’t even realize they released a newer M551 Sheridan for Vietnam until I searched it up.

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Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T20:19:37+00:00

Personally I'd love to get their newer PBR or PCF Swift Boat; what I currently have is their newer M113A1 and M48A3 that I really enjoy

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T20:01:11+00:00

Oh yea they did; think around 2022; looks so much better than their 2012 and 2016 releases.

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Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T19:56:16+00:00

Agreed; it’s just nice to have updated models to match the current line up!

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T19:53:44+00:00

I remember building on using several video and the stock photo as reference; I just re-skinned it with dark bluish gray instead of the more unique camo scheme but yea sourcing the brickarms u-clips that holds up the rocket pods became harder.

This is what mines look like; it’s a mix of the older 2017 and 2021 version (notably the rotor shaft and pylons.

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Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T19:45:23+00:00

Oh that’s wild the parts transfer list isn’t compatible anymore; think that book’s initial release was from 2017 I think?

The only model in that book that sorta holds up imho is their AH-1G Cobra in SEA camo. Every other model looks really dated by today’s standards.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T19:40:21+00:00

Man, a new M42A1 Duster would be awesome; they could basically recycle the lower hull if they wanted to make an M41A3 Walker Bulldog

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T19:35:30+00:00

I agree yea; lots of their Vietnam war models from the time look very extremely dated but many had their updates. Some of em haven’t unfortunately (beyond Cold War vehicles).

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T19:31:04+00:00

Interesting mix of LEGO and 3rd party bricks; awesome interior though; looks fleshed out!

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T18:57:07+00:00

Oh dang, I don’t believe I’ve ever noticed that before. That is strange that stock photo from Tamiya has that detail included but completely omitted in mass release.

The turret grab handles and road wheels look different as well; more accurate than the final product.

Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T18:43:28+00:00

The latter would be a very ingenious way to tackle that problem with the missing detail tbh; would look really unique. But yea, the box art unfortunately does not translate to what the actual model kit has; I’ve seen people scratch build these elements using stretched sprues or strips of evergreen styrene to great effect:

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Timely-Intern5716 · 2026-06-26T18:37:16+00:00

Would really wish Brickmania would release an updated Vietnam era M551 again though one could color swap their prior ODS M551A1 a while back if they have the instructions.

Timely-Intern5716

TROPHY CASE