Magach 6B Gal- converting a Braille-scale M60A3

[Road of Bones]

It’s simply a different design using different kind of clamps :smiling3: You could also have sanded the American thermal shroud off to leave a bare barrel, or even modify it to represent a British L7A1 barrel (with or without a shroud), because the Israelis also put those into M60s. Though I’m now wondering if that was just the barrel or the entire gun, since the breech end is quite different too. Not that you would see that difference on a model with all hatches closed, of course :smiling3:

I thought the 105mm in the early M60s was based on the L7A1 anyway? :thinking: I realise that the Israelis constantly upgraded their original M60s though, so they would probably be very much akin to the Philosopher’s Axe eventually- look at the Magach 7s!
I could have done any of what you suggested, but I went with the clamped shroud because I like the look of it :thumb2: (and it was fun figuring out how to replicate it in such a silly scale, frankly!)

[Guest]

The M68 is the American version of the L7, but in reality, the only things they apparently share are chamber dimensions and barrel length and threads That makes them interchangeable for practical purposes, though, and probably why the Israelis put L7 barrels on M60s when the breech end was likely still that of the M68. (Another fun fact: you can convert an L7A1 into a 20-pounder gun like that of the Centurion, or vice versa, in about half an hour. All you need to do is unscrew the barrel and replace it, then make a few minor adjustments on the inside, such as replacing the scales in the gunner’s sight.)

In any case, I agree that the thermal shroud you put on looks more interesting and is more intricate to build — I was really just pointing out to others that they don’t need to do it like that if they want to make a model like yours but don’t feel up to this bit

[rtfoe]

The thermal shroud always looks nice on the M60 Magachs Alistair. Am glad you did it and very nicely too "I like it when a plan comes together - A-Team". The gun looks beefier that way. :smiling4:

Cheers,
Richard

[Road of Bones]

Thanks Richard! :smiling:

Blazer armour then...I made a 20mm wide panel of double-thick card, and dug out some unused PE slats from the D9R Doobi build:

I then cut the card into some 3mm wide strips, and used some of the PE slats to make the frames that the ERA blocks are mounted in (basically a trimmed slat either side of the card strip:

I then started making blocks, working by eye and using the old instruction sheet for the Legend resin set I used for the 1/35 tank, I worked my way along the side of the turret. The starboard side ended up like this:

Not far off the resin set in the end! I need a break for tonight though- will do the port side tomorrow evening.
Thanks for looking chaps,

Alistair☠️

[Guest]

Looking good, though aren’t the ones on the turret front more trapezoidal so they cover better? If you want, I can take some pictures and/or measurements of the Italeri 1:35 scale parts, as I have them still on the sprue.

[BigGreg]

I cant believe this is 1/72.... WOW..

[SimonT]

Morning Al,

you will probably curse me for this but I believe the cupola has a few problems

the hinge arms should be parallel - with angled arms like that it would not open

the domed part is actually the opening hatch and should be larger and shallower plus it runs to the rear edge of the base ring

the outer edge of the base ring shouldn't slope quite so much

[Road of Bones]

Ok Si- I’ll deal with it later :money-face::rolling: Let me get these damned blazer panels out of the way first though, eh?:thumb2:

[Road of Bones]

Well, after a week’s hiatus, followed by a weekend in the hammock, the cooler conditions today merited a return to the bench.
First order of business was to complete the blazer panels for the port side of the turret, and I also used a spare PE bracket to make the mounting point for the loader’s MG:

While I was at it, I made a couple of adjustments to the cupola, straightening out the hinge struts, altering the bracing strut and adding another PE bracket for the commander’s MG strut.
Returning to the starboard side, I used some more spare PE to make mounting brackets for the mortar that sits just below the cupola. Turning to the mortar itself, I had a root about in the spares box, and found a piece of steel tube from a bottle of Revell Contacta, which was the right diameter for the mortar tube. I then used the rubber sheathing from a phone cable to make rings to slide down over the tube. Another spare PE bracket went on top to make the handle bracket. Here it is so far:

Apologies for the poor focus- I had to zoom in a bit due to the size.
More later, thanks for looking chaps,

Alistair☠️

[scottie3158]

Bones,
Cracking work mate some really nice scratchery.

[Jim R]

Hi Alistair

Turning to the mortar itself, I had a root about in the spares box, and found a piece of steel tube from a bottle of Revell Contacta, which was the right diameter for the mortar tube. I then used the rubber sheathing from a phone cable to make rings to slide down over the tube. Another spare PE bracket went on top to make the handle bracket.

Oh you make it sound so straightforward :rolling: In reality it is marvellous micro scratching which requires a very steady hand and results in eyestrain :tongue-out3:
Jim

[Steve Jones]

Some fine braille scale scratchery Alistair. A joy to see.

[Road of Bones]

Scottie, Jim Steve- thanks for your continued support chaps!

Been struggling to get some bench time recently, but a cooler day today drove me back indoors and a return to the Magach. Today I managed to make the mantlet blazer panels, and the smoke discharger boxes, all from plastic card, PE offcuts and some punched discs:



The smoke discharger covers were made from toilet tissue soaked in TET. After a walk in my local woods, I pushed on a little furthen, and made the blazer panels on the turret roof, and started detailing the GAL gunner’s sight (more PE offcuts). Here’s how she sits now:


Still a fair bit to do- 3 MGs and their mounts to make, plus some more brackets and other details on the turret roof to fabricate. I also have to fill the turret basket and make covers and ID panels.
More later gents, thanks for looking :thumb2:

Alistair☠️

[rtfoe]

And the Urdon cupola correction...

Cheers,
Richard

[Road of Bones]

And the Urdon cupola correction...

Cheers,
Richard

I have corrected that as much as I’m going to Richard- I straightened the hinge struts and tidied it up as much as I could. The profile is close enough to my eye, and it’s too well-stuck down to replace without causing damage I would end up binning it as a result. It’s my model, and I’m happy enough with it!:smiling4: