A different TongDE M60A2 Starship build

[tank_me]

As I stated before I ordered one also. I had a lot of time to work on it this week. I also ordered the detail pack for the TongDE M60. After doing some research I decided to omit the barrel travel lock completely as most of the pics I saw of the A2 had it removed. I will use it on a different build. I also softened up the rear deck by sanding off all the hard angles as they are rounded on the real deal. I also sanded the handle bases really thin as they are way too thick. Still a bunch to do, but got quite a bit done.

[RichJohnson]

Where's the pics?

[Rubicon99]

As I stated before I ordered one also. I had a lot of time to work on it this week. I also ordered the detail pack for the TongDE M60. After doing some research I decided to omit the barrel travel lock completely as most of the pics I saw of the A2 had it removed. I will use it on a different build. I also softened up the rear deck by sanding off all the hard angles as they are rounded on the real deal. I also sanded the handle bases really thin as they are way too thick. Still a bunch to do, but got quite a bit done.

Can't wait to see yours. 👍👍

A word of caution about the center tool box handles. The middle one of the three tends to catch the mantle covering material when the barrel orientation is level or depressed. It was so bad on mine that I ended up omitting the center handle to keep from causing a rip from forming.

I might have been able to adjust the covering a bit when installing it had I known about the issue ahead of time. Even still mine is pretty tight and has just enough give to allow for full up elevation.

[tank_me]

The website was acting funny for me from both my phone and computer. I couldn't get them to upload so I linked them from Imgur. They didn't show up when I was not logged in, but I see them now.

[tank_me]

It seems I'm a real glutton for punishment as I decided to cut out the resin vision blocks and replace them with something more realistic. Eleven of these suckers around the commander's cupola - seven down and four more to go.

[Rubicon99]

It seems I'm a real glutton for punishment as I decided to cut out the resin vision blocks and replace them with something more realistic. Eleven of these suckers around the commander's cupola - seven down and four more to go.

Ouch that's a lot of work!!! 👍👍👍👍

[tank_me]

Finished off the windows around the commander's cupola/periscope and added a 3D printed base that will work for either the Tamiya apple or the LegoDEI apple. Since some clubs only use one or the other it will work out well if I ever get to Danville to battle. I did have to cut out some of the hatch to allow for the Tamiya apple as the little screws on the side stick out a bit. The hatch can be closed completely hiding the battle system. The apple base will get the standard 5-pin wiring added. There are a few little tiny gaps around some of the windows, but those will be filled with clear canopy glue.

[tank_me]

Got some more fiddly work done. I added the fuel cap chains and pins. I also completed the dreaded mantlet cover. Man that was not really fun, but I think it turned out well. I did depress the gun and spun the turret all the way around and it didn't catch on anything, but I did lower the height of the tool box handles before building the mantlet cover.

[RichJohnson]

Coming along nicely.
Your plug adapter only allows for 3 wires though, you need 5 to support the LEDs on the IR receiver unless you plan to only use the terrible stock HL type one.

[tank_me]

Used it in a few tanks already and all 5 fit in there just fine. I do have to use a small styrene spacer to one side to account for the offset of the pins in the Tamiya apple.

[tank_me]

Getting closer to paint. I finished wiring up the LED in the spotlight, I added some anti-slip texture to the surfaces I could see from various references using Tamiya texture paint, and I replaced the plastic front mudguards with rubber ones. Still need to rewire the headlights, wire the tail lights, wire the IR LED, wire the IR battle system plug, finish the main wiring, and do a few little detail items before paint. I think I've settled on a gray desert MERDC camo...but that could still change.

[Rubicon99]

Getting closer to paint. I finished wiring up the LED in the spotlight, I added some anti-slip texture to the surfaces I could see from various references using Tamiya texture paint, and I replaced the plastic front mudguards with rubber ones. Still need to rewire the headlights, wire the tail lights, wire the IR LED, wire the IR battle system plug, finish the main wiring, and do a few little detail items before paint. I think I've settled on a gray desert MERDC camo...but that could still change.

Started to really take shape👍👍👍👍

[tank_me]

Got a few more little things flushed out. I think at this point all of the details I want to add besides stowage have been taken care of. I added some metal antennas and fashioned the little somewhat teardrop looking end protectors.




And a close up of the tips:



My significant other casts some resin stuff so I stole her little silicone mold and some UV resin hence the glitter I can't get to wash off. I fashioned some lenses for the front headlights and installed them.




Then I tackled fixing the detail on the brush guards. I may add a few bolt heads, but other than that I think I like the way they turned out.



Right before priming I scored some lines in all four of the storage boxes to give the boxes the look of actually having lids and not just being one solid piece. I scored the initial line and then angled it away as it on the real thing.



I've been trying to get the camo started on the lower hull and the wheels, but as I stated in another thread my airbrush is giving me fits. I will be picking up an Iwata Eclipse tomorrow so I can finish paining it.

After that it will be just a matter of finishing up the wiring and installing some blue motors which I need to order.

Derek

[tank_me]

Painting is coming along nicely... Still need to add the black to the upper hull and turret. Been taking it in steps...lower hull, upper hull, turret, and still need to finish the commander's mini turret.

[RichJohnson]

That is absolutely my favorite cammo. Grey desert Merdec. I have done my DKLM M60a3 in Verdant Merdec but I have debated getting another A3 from TD just to do that color. I did that on my M1 since they did have merdec in the early years. Your yellow is a tad vibrant but should be ok with a little dirt or weathering.

[Rubicon99]

Painting is coming along nicely... Still need to add the black to the upper hull and turret. Been taking it in steps...lower hull, upper hull, turret, and still need to finish the commander's mini turret.

Looks GREAT!!! Can't wait to see more👍👍

[tank_me]

Thanks. All the colors came out of the AK MERDC camo set, but yes it will dull down some once it's weathered a little. The pattern isn't exact, but it's close and that's good enough for me... :)

[tank_me]

Camo complete...need to add markings and seal. Main camo patter sprayed with airbrush and the "crows feet" were all hand painted. No masking used as I wanted the edges soft on this one.

[MrChef]

I do like that camo scheme.

When you handpainted did you thin the paint? And which brand paints did you use?

Nice job. Keep it up!

[RichJohnson]

Just use a flat or dull coat don’t dare get a sheen on that beautiful paint job.
I have the US Army TM for painting vehicles and for Merdec they have a fade allowance for the color lines if not masked. It’s very tight, and your paint job looks very clean and tight. Your lines are nearly crisp. I just love it.