M60A2 and M60

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 5:15 am

Hate to keep pestering everyone, but I'm still interested in those A2s and the original M60s (round turret/turtle-back, however you would describe it. The Magach 3 is an M48 turret, so that doesn't work.

Does anybody have any of GHQs original M551? I am interested in those for one of our fellows who is building a divisional cavalry squadron. Reply here or by PM.

madman · Post by **madman** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 7:16 am

Yup

Bunches of Sheridans to go with the M60A2s. Let me count 'em. Drop me a PM.

Stephen

madman · Post by **madman** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:13 pm

Looks like I have ten Sheridans. I will email a picture when I get home. Vintage will be the same as the M60A2s.

Stephen

CBoy3 · Post by **CBoy3** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:13 am

If you guys haven't voted yet, the M60A2 is one of the choices for the forum users to chose a new model. It's one of the more popular ones at this point.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:45 am

Thanks, CBoy3. I already voted for the A2. It would surprise me if it won. While an interesting model, its capabilities and limitations make it kinda quirky. As evidence of that, I am still trying to figure out if there were 4, 5, or 6 battalions in Germany. I KNOW that 1-32AR and 3-33AR were DEFINITELY A2 battalions from '75-'78, because I was actually there. I can't personally speak for anything else, and I've seen several differing posts about the rest.

As with any weapon system, they have advantages and disadvantages and must be employed consistent with those and with imagination and creativity, as well.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:53 am

I have some M551 the are very, very old...not as old as me, but old. How many do you want?
Send PM if you would like.

madman · Post by **madman** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:23 am

Well This is interesting. Guess what just showed up at our local military museum? I will have to get pictures but it is a Sheridan! Now before you just blow this off look at my location. We are a boonie town an hour north of Toronto.

We had, for a few years, a Leopard I hull with some sort of pretend turret. I assume the original turret was wrecked somehow and for whatever use a dummy with a length of pipe and enough weight to simulate a real turret was installed. It disappeared about a year ago now this. If anyone wants pictures and can give me a week or so I will oblige. I was driving by and didn't stop so no real details. It appears to be a solid overall colour with just wear and tear (age from sitting in the open is my guess).

Stephen

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:35 am

Pics please, whenever you get to it.

Thanks

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:15 pm

The Commonwealth has identified 2 M60A2 and 5 M551. Also has transport conex boxes for several more M551.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:50 am

There have several responses to my request for M551s and M60A2s and I am grateful for the gentlemen who have dug through their Smithsonian attics and found them.

I am, however, still hopeful of obtaining more - the GHQ M60A2 and the GHQ original M551A1 without the turret basket. This is your chance to profit from those old models in favor other, more modern or more recent sculpts.

The M60 is still on my list, as well. This is the original M60, with the turret more resembling the M48, (but there is a difference - the top is flatter, although the turret is still rounder than the A1).

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:38 am

Panzergator,

I know these are not M60A2s or M60s early models but they are M60s. Thought I would share my M60A3s.

Love the GHQ M60A3s

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:27 am

Hoth, I see you painted the 50cal cover, too. Well done! Are the tanks without the add-on Marine tanks, as well?

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:29 am

Still looking for more early GHQ M551s.

Thanks for the responses I have received already.

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:24 am

@panzergator

I guess,for now, they are all USMC vehicles. I love the way they look. Thanks for the compliment on the Ma Deuce covers. If I showed a side shot, you would see the wheels and treds are done as well. Eventually I would like to do up the M60A1s in MERDAC and the all green paint scheme. Wish they had a version without the Search light. still need to do a wash over them to pull out the detail.. I always get close but then stop.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:25 pm

For strict accuracy, the Marine tanks with add-on armor were actually M60A1 (RISE/AOS), not M60A3s. They sent many to 1st Gulf and traded them for M1A1s as quickly as possible. I believe the Army's 197th Brigade (Sep) was also equipped with M60A3s in 1st Gulf, at least initially.

I like the searchlights because the covers of 1-32 and 3-32 tanks had symbols painted on them for M60s, A1s and A2s, which add some color. If you don't want them, however, get some clippers and an X-acto knife, clip them off and trim the leftover. We almost always had them mounted over the gun (A1) and the side mount (A2). The only real problem is that we eventually got the -3 searchlight, which was an elongated rectangular box, more compact than the one selected for GHQ models. so it you want the M60A1 (RISE/AOS), you must use the GHQ M60A3 model. For 3-32, (1-32 had the A2s at the time), you clip off the grenade launchers enough to leave the mounts. We had the mounts, but had not mounted the launcher barrels '77-'78.

M60A3s did not have searchlights because they had the tank thermal sights and had no need for them. Previous models had passive sights, and before that, depended on white and IR light only for night targeting. The IR sights required illumination of the target by an IR source, hence the IR capability of the searchlight.

For 3AD MERDC, no sand. Only medium green, brown, and black.