SPA Modeler

I built this for a Group Build project with So. Cal. AMPS. Our chapter is making the whole Patton tank family. This is the Dragon M46 kit in the markings of 6th Tank Battalion during Operation Ripper in Korea, Spring 1951.These are probably the most colorful unit markings worn in combat by any tank unit. I modified the kit by repositioning some turret external fittings, leaving off the turret right side stowage rack, adding some turret grab rails, a left side stowage rack on the fender, and a .30 cal. Browning based upon photos of the units tanks in Korea. Paints used are Mission Models and Humbrol for the main colors. Towage items are from my stash and spares bin.











I still need to finish the TC figure and come up with a base for this one.

Comments and critiques are welcome.

That turned out fantastic! Super dramatic and will look great on a base.

Ok boys and girls.....this is what a labor of love looks like. Fantastic turn out after 8 months of work Carlos!! Way to stick with it brutha!!

This brings tears to my eyes. Bravo, Carlos!!!

Great finish Carlos, still can't believe them markings was used in combat.

Many thanks guys! I’m happy to read your kind words.

keavdog wrote:That turned out fantastic! Super dramatic and will look great on a base.

Yes, I will get a base for this built after the holidays. I still have a couple more builds to wrap up.

mustang1989 wrote:Ok boys and girls.....this is what a labor of love looks like. Fantastic turn out after 8 months of work Carlos!! Way to stick with it brutha!!

Well, the basic build was done in June, painting, decaling, and washes by late August. Then it sat for theee months while I pondered the stowage and worked on other things.

BlackSheep214 wrote:This brings tears to my eyes. Bravo, Carlos!!!

Wow! Don’t get too emotional on me now

Tears of joy seeing this one looking simply fantastic.

Thank you Tom. I do appreciate that.

Awesome, Carlos, it's been fun watching this come together. Having air superiority probably made the colorful markings workable, don't you think?

Thank you John. Yes, UN air superiority I’m sure had something to do with the ability to paint the tanks in such a manner. At that time the communists had a significant air to air threat along the Yalu, but over the battlefield, all UN forces had to worry about was the nighttime nuisance raids from biplanes. Of course an enemy artillery forward observer on the ubiquitous high ground of Korea also could be just as lethal as an airstrike to anything within his line of sight.