The first Black Label item is the 65-ton M103 Heavy Tank that served with the US Army and US Marine Corps (USMC) during the height of the Cold War from 1957–1974. Its whole design was predicated on the need to counter Soviet heavy tanks, and thus it boasted a rifled 120mm M58 cannon for long-distance engagements. This gun fired a separate-loading round, which required two loaders, thus giving five men in the crew. The armor was up to 180mm thick on the front of the turret. Some 300 T43E1 tanks were built, of which 219 were later converted to M103A1 standard, and 153 rebuilt into M103A2 s.
Dragon’s kit is a brand new item and practically every part in the cram-packed box is a new tooling. The only exception is the wheels, which are derived from a previous release. The irregular form of the turret is accurately shaped, and it has just the right degree of a subtle cast texture. The cast texture on the hull is also beautifully recreated. This tank has been produced with modeling convenience in mind too, with such features as easy-fitting DS tracks. With Dragon’s know how and technological skills from its WWII range being applied to this more modern subject, this M103A1 Heavy Tank sets high standards. It’s truly a heavyweight in modern armor kits!
Features
- Turret possesses irregular shape w/appropriate cast texture as per original
- Authentic .50-cal MG w/photo-etched detail
- Brand new M103A1 Heavy Tank rendered
- Mantlet accurately detailed and shaped
- One-piece slide-molded gun barrel
- Upper hull produced w/correct shape
- Lower hull molded w/cast pattern
- Newly designed gun travel lock present
- Jerry cans included
- Well-defined turret w/antenna mounts and crisply detailed handrails
- M14 coincidence rangefinders mounted on turret sides
- Fenders feature excellent detail
- Glacis rendered w/correct profile and shape
- Headlights w/subtle detail realistically produced
- Engine deck and exhaust pipes produced w/highly intricate detail
- Tow cable and photo-etched guard for tool storage
- Cupola hatch can be assembled open/closed
- Excellent detail on hull rear plate
- Highly detailed suspension system, including accurate sprockets, idler wheels and road wheels
- Outlet pipes for crew compartment heater and bilge pump
- Loader's hatch on turret is accurately depicted
- Periscope is well represented
- Intricately detailed OVM
- Newly tooled one-piece DS tacks