Peter Pig 15mm M48A3

Having completed the collection of a US Infantry Company for use with Barrie Lovell's excellent Incoming! rules, it did not take me too long to decide upon the addition of an Armored Cavalry platoon to provide extra game-play options. The release of Barrie's Incoming! rules supplement, which expands upon the basic rules covering the use of armor, made the proposition all the more attractive.

Along with the versatile M113 (particularly in it's ACAV version) the M48 was the basic building block of the armored cavalry and the standard tank for US armored units, both army and USMC. The Peter Pig M48A3 model is very good value for money. The multi-part kit weighs in at 180-grams and consists of 7 basic components; left and right running gear/tracks, the hull, the turret, the commanders M1 armored cupola and machinegun, the main gun, and rear engine exhaust doors.

Painting

I started in the usual manner, by undercoating all components with a black acrylic spray undercoat (Games Workshop). Black undercoating is simply a preference of mine but it does raise the relief of the model and, using the techniques that I do, results in deep shadow without the need to paint in such an effect.

Using a technique that is by now familiar to most people who visit these pages, I painted the basecoat using a small make-up sponge. The basecoat used was Vallejo US Olive Drab (889) and I applied this quite heavily so as to leave only the deepest recesses in shadow. The running gear is left in very deep shadow since the sponge does not penetrate into the spaces between the road wheels.

Once the basecoat was dry, I applied an extensive second coat of Color Party US Olive Drab using the same 'sponge' technique. Note that there is a considerable difference in color between the Vallejo and the Color Party versions of US Olive Drab!

I added a very subtle top highlight to the basecoats that consisted of a mix of Color party US Olive Drab and GW Bubonic Brown - this is almost imperceptible in the photographs.

Apart from the addition of weathering, to all intents and purposes the model was finished! There were of course a number of features that could be applied in order to individualise the model and make it a little more distinctive. To this end I added a roll of anti-RPG fencing and a few ammo crates to the rear deck. Since I will be producing three of these vehicles for the Armored Cavalry platoon, I intend to make the others quite heavily festooned with extras but I wanted to keep this review of the model relatively uncluttered. Looking at contemporary pictures of the M48, turret and hull markings are, for the most part, absent. Some vehicles carry unit insignia on the front fenders and there is often a US Army marking on the side of the tool boxes on the hull either side of the turret. Unfortunately, at this scale, the tool boxes are only a couple of millimeters deep and it was beyond my skill (or patience) to even attempt this feat of miniaturisation. I expected clear markings on the turret sides but, apart from USMC vehicles, I found very little evidence of this in the photographs.

I weathered the vehicle using a base coat of GW Bestial Brown followed by a lighter coating of GW Snakebite Leather. The final highlight was a mixture of snakebite leather and white. Pictures of vehicles in Vietnam show them to be invariably covered in either mud or dust (as well as unwanted foliage!) so this can be quite extensive on the model.

Basing & Finishing

The base was produced and painted in the same fashion as that of the infantry bases previously described and using a piece of 8cms by 5cms picture mounting card.

In order to protect the finished model I applied a coat of matt varnish which turned out surprisingly glossy! Still, the vehicle looks as if it has been caught in a monsoon downpour and, once on the table, blends in perfectly well.

Having spent the time and trouble painting the piece, it seems only reasonable to protect it from the wear and tear that is going to be inflicted upon it over the coming years.

Finished Model

Alongside a base of US infantry figures, the solid mass of the tank becomes clearly evident. On it's base, the model has a weight and feel of quality which makes it a pleasure to handle.

Overall I would say that this model represents excellent value for money. It is well cast, easy to assemble, straightforward to paint and, most importantly, it looks the part. I have three of these vehicles as the tank section of an Armored Cavalry platoon (for use with Barrie Lovell's Incoming! rules) but they could also be used as part of a USMC tank platoon.

When pitted against enemy infantry on the wargames table they are lethal and you will certainly want some of these in your collection if you envisage scenarios involving NVA armour. When matched up with the Peter Pig M113 ACAV you can field an extremely powerful fighting unit - the Armored Cavalry Platoon.

All in all, well worth investing in and, given that the prices of models are only likely to go up, get them now!