M48A3 Patton Tank - where are the exhaust ports

[Ultravanillasmurf]

A while back I bought the Empress M48A3 kit.

I have not progressed very far with it, and an unfortunate accident involving knocking it off the table) has delayed its completion. The last two weeks of not doing any hobby related stuff (besides posting here) has led to its plaintive cries to be finished becoming too loud.

I need to know where not to put stuff (such as spare track obscuring the binocular sights and soft stowage near the exhausts.

Now evidently my Google Fu is weak, and there is no sign of that information in the Osprey NVG or VG books.

So where are the exhausts?





Thanks in advance.

[Calimero]

Maybe this could help?

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Okay, I think I have it, it is the large "grill" in two halves on the vertical rear plate.

Exhaust systems do have their national foibles.

[von der Tann]

Quote from wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M48_Patton):

"The engine exhaust vents were located on the top of the rear deck."

I think they are close to the rear side of the turret.

[Westfalia Chris]

Quote from wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M48_Patton):

"The engine exhaust vents were located on the top of the rear deck."

I think they are close to the rear side of the turret.

That's only true for the M48 and M48A1, IIRC, which lacked the large rear exhaust grille. For A2 and later, IIRC, it's through the grille or through the wading exhaust add-on which could be attached to the rear right grille.

[Rich H]

All I know is those damn rear grills and the rear basket were a right old pain in the arse!

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Thanks guys.

The Tankgrad web site has a couple of photographs of BW M48 A2s with blackening on the left grill, adding to my confusion after working out it was on the back plate.

Sorry to Richard for not getting the basket aligned correctly.

[carlos marighela]

Glad to see it’s not just me that needed filler to get a fit on the track guards. Right side went on flush but left side had a noticeable gap. Prob my fault. I dry fitted without priming and white resin isn’t the easiest thing to pick up issues with. Then I foolishly decided to try out my new ZAP style glue. It really does work. You’d need a band saw to remove it now. Oh well, that’s what putty was invented for.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

I had problems getting the track  units to align vertically correctly, and get the vents in the right place.

I used epoxy to glue it together (see my experience with superglue and the T90 and the Panzer IB).

Its first visit to the floor popped a track off.

There will be plenty of stowage, to hide my mistakes (hence wanting to not drape soft stowage over the exhaust)

By the way, are loops of barbed wire likely stowage on the left grill on the hull rear?
The Tankograd book sample on the BW M48 has a one.

[carlos marighela]

Can’t see why not. The only things you really don’t want to hang over mufflers/exhausts are things that may catch fire or go boom.

[Blackwolf]

And with any engine with an intake/outlet, particularly in dusty conditions you need a clear flow,otherwise the engine burns too much fuel,blocks up with carbon,and pings/misses. And the worse case in a given situation fails to start easily. That's why tank crew,in particular the driver had such a tough job; making sure everything is clean,greased et cetera.

[Vanvlak]

All I know is those damn rear grills and the rear basket were a right old pain in the arse!

Must've been exhausting.