1:72 M 48 Vietnam war accessories set

The real subject

The M48 Patton is an American tank with a 90 mm gun that became one of the symbols of the Vietnam War. The machines served there in conditions they were not built for: in heat, damp and mud, often off the roads and with crews that adapted the vehicle in their own way. That is exactly why the Vietnam M48s looked different from the same tanks on a training ground.

What the set is for

The accessory set is intended for a model of the M48 in 1:72 scale and aims at this look of the vehicle. A model out of the box tends to be clean and empty, whereas a real tank in the field carried a great many things on it. The accessories move it from its factory appearance toward a vehicle that is in service somewhere. The make-up of the parts and the recommended kit are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the traces left by manufacture. Try the placement dry; the arrangement of the accessories decides whether the vehicle looks credible. Cyanoacrylate glue holds on resin and on plastic alike. Wash and degrease the parts before painting.

• paint the accessories separately and glue them to the vehicle only once painted
• choose an asymmetric arrangement rather than a symmetrical one, which looks artificial
• a flow of a dark shade draws out the shapes of the small parts
• apply the dust and mud over the accessories and the vehicle at once so they match

Terms of supply

Paints, glue and other materials are not included, unless stated otherwise. The extent of the package is given in the manufacturer's parts list.