Tamiya 35157 - 1:35 US Marine M60A1

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the US Marine M60A1 with reactive armour

Tamiya 35157 is a model kit for self-assembly depicting the M60A1 in the configuration used by the US Marine Corps — with the distinctive blocks of reactive armour covering the turret and the front of the hull. Tanks like these supported the Marine advance during the fighting in Kuwait.

The kit was released in 1992 and uses new parts on the 1970 tooling. It offers metal axles for the road wheels, a mesh sheet to cut to shape and a set of accessories: a snorkel for fording, camouflage nets and a jerry can. The decal sheet covers three named vehicles: Short Timer and American Express in three-tone camouflage, and Genesis II in sand finish from Operation Desert Shield (1990).

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and reactive armour
• Vinyl band tracks
• Metal axles
• Mesh sheet to cut to shape
• Accessories: snorkel, camouflage nets, jerry can
• Two figures: a full figure and a bust
• Decal sheet with three marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35157
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 270 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (reactive armour blocks, mesh to cut, metal axles)

Please note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The hull and turret go together smoothly, and the metal axles hold the road wheels firmly in place. Placing the reactive armour blocks calls for the most patience — it is worth aligning them evenly, following the instructions, since they define the look of this version. The mesh from the supplied sheet is best cut with a sharp blade and fixed at a few points; precision tweezers will help with the small parts.

For the European options we suggest the three-tone NATO scheme (green, brown, black), and for Genesis II a uniform sand tone; the instructions give paint codes for all three schemes. Military vehicle models are usually finished with a matt varnish, while dust on the lower hull and chipping along the edges of the armour blocks are easy to reproduce with a wash and pigments.

Tools you will need:

• Model sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for desert dust effects

About the vehicle – M60A1 with reactive armour:

The M60 was the standard American tank for most of the Cold War. The M60A1 received a new, elongated turret and stayed in service far longer than expected — with the Marine Corps it even saw the Gulf War. It was armed with the 105 mm M68 gun, powered by a 750 hp Continental AVDS-1790-2 diesel, and the roughly 48-tonne vehicle was operated by a crew of four.

Faced with the threat of shaped-charge weapons, USMC tanks were fitted with reactive armour — blocks filled with explosive that detonate when struck and disrupt the shaped-charge jet. The result completely changed the vehicle's outline and became its trademark.

During Operation Desert Storm, Marine M60A1s broke through the Iraqi defences in Kuwait in support of the Marine advance. They belonged to an older generation than the Abrams, but in the conditions of that war they performed very well.

Original vehicle specifications (M60A1):

• Combat weight: approx. 48 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 105 mm M68 gun
• Powerplant: Continental AVDS-1790-2 diesel, 750 hp
• Additional protection: reactive armour (version used by the USMC in the Gulf War)

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber and produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic model kit. Two years later came the 1:35 scale tank that set the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the painting diagrams provide specific paint codes. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of items covering vehicles, artillery and figures from across the twentieth century. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the industry.