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Armor/AFV: Vietnam
All things Vietnam
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Marine M48A3 Mod B?
Belt_Fed
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Posted: Saturday, June 28, 2014 - 12:08 PM UTC
Did the Marine Corps use any M48A3 Mod Bs? The Dragon kit has a Marine optiin in its decal sheet, but it is labeled for 1965, so i am skeptical of its accuracy.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Sunday, June 29, 2014 - 01:55 PM UTC
Yes, the USMC used many M48A3 Mod Bs. The Dragon directions are wrong though, the Mod B was not fielded until 1967.
Belt_Fed
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Posted: Sunday, June 29, 2014 - 03:10 PM UTC
Thank you, Gino
Tankrider
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Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014 - 02:12 AM UTC
Jon,
I would answer your question as no, not during Viet Nam (Ad far as I have seen...) and yes, post VN, until 1977-78, when the USMC upgraded to M60A1. There are numerous pictures of Post VN M48A3 Mod Bs or M48A3 Late Models, sporting Desert and other types of MERDC camo.

If your goal is to build an accurate USMC M48A3 in use in RVN, then use the newly released M48 from Dragon. The Mod B kit wouild build up as a post VN model but needs the searchlight and mantlet cover. As Gino mentioned, the decals dsicriptions are somewhat inaccurate in unit ID as well as time of use.

John
trakpin
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Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014 - 10:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Jon,
I would answer your question as no, not during Viet Nam (Ad far as I have seen...) and yes, post VN, until 1977-78, when the USMC upgraded to M60A1. There are numerous pictures of Post VN M48A3 Mod Bs or M48A3 Late Models, sporting Desert and other types of MERDC camo.

If your goal is to build an accurate USMC M48A3 in use in RVN, then use the newly released M48 from Dragon. The Mod B kit wouild build up as a post VN model but needs the searchlight and mantlet cover. As Gino mentioned, the decals dsicriptions are somewhat inaccurate in unit ID as well as time of use.

John



so, the non-modB M48A3 that dragon recently released, despite actually being a mod B, never saw the nam?. wish I hadn't forgotten to use tamiyas engine access doors cuz it seems like it woulda fit
Belt_Fed
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Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014 - 11:58 PM UTC
Thank you for the info. I think I'll build up the Mod B as an Army vehicle and buil their A3 as a Marine vehicle just to be safe.
Tankrider
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Posted: Tuesday, July 01, 2014 - 01:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text


so, the non-modB M48A3 that dragon recently released, despite actually being a mod B, never saw the nam?. wish I hadn't forgotten to use tamiyas engine access doors cuz it seems like it woulda fit



As I said above, my research (both online as well as printed material) indicated to me at least that the USMC did not use the Mod B (DML's first M48A3 release)in VN. The DMLs second M48A3 release, forms a better base to build a USMC tank from 1967 onward. DML's M48A3 has the correct, earlier headlight configuration, fenders the searchlight (undersized) and the mantlet cover but it still needs work with removing the reinforcements on the engine grill doors, which is not really hard to do, with a sharp knife and some sandpaper.

John
trickymissfit
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 07:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


so, the non-modB M48A3 that dragon recently released, despite actually being a mod B, never saw the nam?. wish I hadn't forgotten to use tamiyas engine access doors cuz it seems like it woulda fit



As I said above, my research (both online as well as printed material) indicated to me at least that the USMC did not use the Mod B (DML's first M48A3 release)in VN. The DMLs second M48A3 release, forms a better base to build a USMC tank from 1967 onward. DML's M48A3 has the correct, earlier headlight configuration, fenders the searchlight (undersized) and the mantlet cover but it still needs work with removing the reinforcements on the engine grill doors, which is not really hard to do, with a sharp knife and some sandpaper.

John



your post is very correct
gary
starfleet
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 08:46 AM UTC
looks like they did, check out these links.

http://armorama.com/forums/160136&page=1&ord=1

http://www.alphaonefive.com/3rd-platoon-alpha-company-
1st-tank-battalion/

http://mcvthf.org/names_logos.html
Frenchy
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 09:14 AM UTC
Alfred

As far as I can tell, none of the tanks pictured in these links are M48A3 Mod B's....

H.P.
starfleet
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 09:53 AM UTC
question was the raised commander's cupola on some of M-48 photos a field modification on the M48A3 and not M-48 mod B? If so it will be an interesting conversion.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 10:03 AM UTC
It was not necessarily a field mod per say. It was retro-fitted to M48A3s as they went in for rebuild and could be done at Main Support Bns in Vietnam.
uhu251
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 01:08 PM UTC
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/417401/ppuser/41672
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/417403/ppuser/41672

Kinda like this?
Tankrider
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Posted: Friday, July 04, 2014 - 01:44 PM UTC
Nice pics John. It looks like the Cupola hatch was replaced when the G305 Riser was added to the tank.

John C
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