This Is Bandai's M-61A5 MBT from there HardGraph line. I built the model OOB except that in changed the location o fthe atenna mounts and the Commanders machine gun by cutting kits machine gun and splicing it together with a M-2 heavy machine and added a M-2 ammo box to it.The other change is the smoke grenade launchers photo-etch chain,I replaced it with brass scale brass chain.For paint I primed it with Mr Hobby Whit base and pre shaded with Tamiya's Nato black the base coat of dark sea gray and post shade with light grey.Then I used a Sin industries german filter the a artist oil pin wash and sealed with Model Master gloss clear and added the decals which are a little thick but they work ok.Then a coat of Model MAster flat coat and Warpigs pigments for the weather effect.Thanks for looking and any C&C is welcomed.
http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i363/tankbuilder1022/M-61A5011.jpg[/IMG]

Very nice-looking Sci-fi tank! I've one myself unbuilt.

Me too,it`s nice to see one done in a different colour scheme - what was your inspiration ?

I build alot of different types of armor.Everything from WWII and Cold War and Modern.So the insparition was a play on WWII German Gray.With this being an Sci-Fi kit I could of gone in almost any direction.That's what is great with this being a Sci-Fi kit there is no one pacific paint job or unit markings or modifcations done to a certain vehicle.It's just whatever you want to do and that was nice about this kit,and to top it off if you have one bild it.It goes together so well.It's a beatuiful kit.This kit belongs on the the shelf not the closet.

I love this kit, but I haven't been able to obtain one for myself as they sold out so fast and the remainders go for very high prices. How was it to assemble?

Yes the kit goes very fast as stores get them in.As far as assembly the kit goes together just beautifully it's a great kit and I only changed a few things on the kit.If you can get one recommend that you pick one one up and you will love it.

HI Again,I`ve been looking at mine (and wondering when i`ll get the chance to start it - space is at a premium) and wondering what the two protrusions are on the lower glacis plate ?.Perhps someone out there who is a Gundam fan can tell me what they are ?.

They look like more of a bumper or pushing device or a towing point.Not that you could tow this monster in the real world.Hope this helps

Thanks for the reply Bret.
Now perhaps i could pose a bit of a tough one for the Gundam Fans who visit this site - What`s the calibre of the main armament of this Behemoth ?,I`m curious to know as i`d like to set my in a small diorama showing one being re-supplied at the front (so it`d be nice to show crates or pallets of ammunition stacked nearby).
I have tried to "google" the relevant information but everything comes back in Japanese !.

The calibre is 155 and yes I ran into the same problem when I would Google them also.Your dio sounds really interesting like to see when it's done.

Well done Bret...Looks good...

well done - I like the color scheme - very well rendered

Accurate Armor has kits for a 155mm ammunition ULC (Unit Load Container), a DROPS 155mm ammunition load, and a Foden IMMLC DROPS transporter, depending on how far you wanted to go with the diorama (basically, a crate of ammo, a pallet of ammo, and the truck delivering the pallet); you'd still need to work up figures humping the ammo into the tank, and might want to do some extra work to separate the doors at the rear of the hull and fake up some interior -- if I remember the description of the vehicle correctly, the guns are autoloading to reduce crew, so the rear hull could plausibly be full of ammunition storage that the figures could be stuffing rounds into.

On a related note, has anyone found any aftermarket tracks that work with this kit? The sprocket wheels are unusually tight-spaced for the track width, which makes replacing the tracks with aftermarket tracks problematic without also replacing the sprocket wheels.

As far as I know no there is no after market items for this kit.I know what you are saying about the tight fit of the sprockets and tracks.And yes SB the interio is your only option at this time.But for what your going to be able to see it shouldn't take to much.Yes the to guns are autoloaders.There are plenty of figures on the market for loading ammo that really shouldnit present any problems just putting them together.Good luck Bro

Tank looks great, another model added to my wish list. I need a second job

Thanks my man Yes this one has a heffy price tag

Spade Ace make a very nice set of individual link cast white metal tracks for the M61A5. I found them on evil-bay. I received them a short while ago and can say they are beautifully done, nice a crisp with almost no flash. I will post photos in the future ... not sure how much in the future because my work life is stupid busy at the moment and I barely have time for sleep and laundry (wash day, no clothes - say it with a thick Austrian accent)!

I found the Spade Ace tracks and ordered a set; now they're stacked up with the kit waiting for time.

There's also an aftermarket barrel set for it; I found one listing at hobbyeasy.com.