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Trail Blazer

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After Action Report: IDF M60A1 Blazer Build Log


Introduction



I have been building models since I was a kid after watching my brother put together B17’s, B25’s and various other WWII aircraft, ships and the occasional car and truck model. While I tried to build a P40 and a sweet ford Econoline van (complete) with Starsky and Hutch stripe, it was really the new modern tanks that Tamiya started putting out in the early 80’s that really caught my eye.

I think the “used universe” look of all IDF armour was what I liked about them. Dirty, dusty and loaded with crew crap, it was pretty hard to resist these ugly beasts. The M60 Blazer was the only tank other than the Merkava that I really fell in love with the first time I saw it. While ESCI may not have been the greatest model making company you have to give them credit for releasing items that NO ONE else was doing at the time. Thinking that this ESCI kit was a pretty poor design (based upon some of their other kits, like the LAV’s) I thought that well, if I screw it up, no worries. Little did I know that this is considered one of the best M60A1 kits produced. Had I known that I might have chosen something else to “begin” with.



This being my first serious build since around 1988 I was hoping that I could concentrate on my basic modeling skills and at least, make this look presentable. It was my decision that since this was a “learning” build it was going to be straight out of the box. The kit itself is pretty straightforward if you want to build it OOB without any fussing around with things like accuracy and detail. But there are plenty of ways you can really customize this kit to your level of proficiency. I will admit, that having been out of the hobby I wanted to “take it easy” on my first attempt back. So here I am now writing this “Build Story” at the request of one of the editors here (either I am better than I give myself credit for or am the biggest fool on this site, or maybe a little bit of both).

So I began this build with the idea of a “refresher” for myself and a chance to try out some of the “new” techniques of painting and weathering (new to me kids, remember that whole “old dogs” thing). What I first noticed about this kit was the relative absence of flash and pin marks on the kit. This is not to say that there are none, but not as many as I expected and not as many as I have seen on other kits of the same era. My fist jump into this was cleaning up some minor molding lines on the lower hull. The mold lines are very minor and clean up easily. The injector pin marks are minimal and the overall quality is better than I expected, having experienced the other ESCI kits of that era.

About the Author

About Damon (didgeboy)
FROM: WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

I have been "building" models, collecting and starting mostly, since I was a kid and really started getting into it in my teens. The Tamiya kits if the 80's were what did it for me. I actually became a tanker in the US Army just to get a chance to study the Abrams up close (and drink German beer). I...


Comments

I must say, I had a great time editing and publishing this Build Story. Not only is it detailed and well-explained, Damon did a great job representing the model and his take on the build process in a fantastic way.
APR 28, 2012 - 03:11 AM
Very nice article, enjoyed reading it.
APR 28, 2012 - 07:50 AM
Hi Damon, Well done man! Didnt even know that kit existed. Great detailed build story too. I think you nailed it bro, looks great! Gary
APR 28, 2012 - 10:23 AM
Gary; thank you. If Matan had not asked I would never have done it and it really makes a difference having such a great community that is both supportive and willing to offer constructive criticism, when and where needed. Cheers.
APR 29, 2012 - 03:53 AM
Thanks for that one Damon, a very enjoyable read and excellent images. Oh, and nice job on the M60 too!
APR 29, 2012 - 06:39 AM
Very nice build looks great can I ask what kind of glue you used to attach the painted parts
APR 29, 2012 - 04:54 PM
I usually use the Ambriod Pro Weld and while I tried the Testors liquid glue, I found it horrible to breath and it did not create the bond that the Ambroid did. Cheers.
APR 30, 2012 - 04:34 PM