Magach 2/3 by Battlefront

By Throckmorton

You've seen this tank before. He's big, he's mean and he's named after one of America's best generals. It's American designation, the M48A3 Patton Main Battle Tank is far less interesting that its Israeli name "Magach" (ma-GAH), or Chariot of the War Heroes. 

Who wouldn't want to ride in something called the Chariot of the War Heroes? I know I would.

Israel obtained a number of Magach 2's (original M48A3's) from West Germany and the United States in the 1960's and about 150 of them fought in the 6 Day War. Interestingly, although stats and variant pieces are included for the Magach 3 in the Battlefront kit, it played no part in the 6 Day War. However, in the years between the '67 conflict and the Yom Kippur War in '73 Israel bought a fleet of more than 800 Magach 3's.

Makes you wonder what our fine New Zealand friends have planned in follow up to Fate of A Nation hrmm?

The box set for the Magach 2/3 is mostly similar to that of the Patton box now released for Tour of Duty with two key differences. First, you've got the option to add on the 105mm gun for the Magach 3 variant along with the original cannon. And second, there are no decals, which is a bummer.

So, here's how they stack up on the game board (via easyarmy.com)

Coming in at 155 points and 187-ish points for the 2 and 3 versions these are expensive tanks that can form the mainstay of your force supported by lighter friends like the M-50 and 51 Shermans and the AMX. The armor is solid against the IS-3, the T-54 and even gives you a shot at survival against Jordanian Centurions; the three biggest guns the opposition can throw at you. The addition of top armor 2 and the numerous MG's makes this a solid choice to assault unsupported infantry as well as well as survive massed artillery.

Let's take a look at how we got from this:

To this:

All the pieces come in a baggy in this kit. I haven't seen this before and honestly, I think I like it more than having them open in the plastic box. 

Here's all your pieces and parts, note you get a magnet set for each turret. 

Once again, like on the Isherman, I supported the cannons while the super glue was drying. This has just become a best practice for me at this point. 

Whenever I do tracks I always score them with a hobby knife before putting the glue on and attaching them to the body. The scoring adds extra grip between the 2 pieces as it gives the glue something to seep into. 

All built up. Note that the .50 Cal in the cupola broke off. Always seems to happen with the little guns. 

Also note the MG on the right side of the turret here. My other big gripe with Battlefront tank kits is again in evidence here. There is no way to create a solid bond between attachable MG's and the body of the turret. Despite trying to pin them (nearly shattered the resin) or the use of green stuff (couldn't make enough surface area to get the things to stick without them looking really weird) these simply would not stay on and the nub on the bottom of the guns simply doesn't fit into the holes provided on turret. 

Primed and ready to go

Base coated Vallejo Green Grey

Pin washed with Citadel Athonian Camo Shade

Working out the details on the turret including the mantlet cover in Vallejo English Uniform and stowage in a variety of theater appropriate colors. I'm pretty sure that crewman is from the American/Aussie set but I could be wrong...

 Pro-Tip, Spotlights and Glass: Spotlights and other glassy shiny bits are an interesting painting challenge. Sure, you could just paint them grey and be done with it but what fun is that? Rather you can, with relative ease, create a pretty neat "shine" effect. Follow along to see how it's done.

The base light

Step 1: Pick the color range you want to use. Grey and blue are best for spotlights, green for helocopter canopies and red for IR systems. I used blue here. Once you've chosen your color, base the light in a very dark shade. I used Vallejo Black Grey to darken my blue down. 

Step 2: Layer in a slightly lighter (noticeably lighter but not jarringly so) color over about a 2/3 area of the light going diagonally from one corner to the other. 

Step 3: Moving back towards the lower left corner I lighten up the blue again leaving some of the previous layer showing. 

Step 4: Rinse and repeat

Step 5: Now, taking the next shade up create a curve from the top left to bottom right corner of the light. 

Step 6: Add some shine with a VERY WET version of the previous hue to the opposite upper corner. 

Step 7: Lighten up the opposite corners again with another shade higher blue. 

Step 8: Add a small white dot to the upper corner of the light

And viola! There you have it

Clean up the edges and you're good to go. One you've finished the model hit the glass with some gloss varnish to give it a shine. 

Time to finish off the details. I hit the tracks with Vallejo Black Grey and then dry brush with Gunmetal. 

Now for the wear and tear. Using (what's turning into my go to color) Vallejo Black Grey and a sponge I stipple on scratches. Once I've done the pigment I'll spot highlight these scratches in a 2 to 1 white to Green Grey to give them depth. 

Time for the pigment! You dirty boy!

And there we are, all finished up. 

 Here's the end result:

Let's score it:

Detail, 4/5 Chariots of the War Heroes: If it weren't for those stupid stupid machine guns... Other wise, this is a great kit, with great detail.

Build, 4/5 Chariots of the War Heroes: I had to green stuff down the spotlights to get them to stay properly, and again, those freaking machine guns. Beyond that, it's standard easy Battlefront fare.

Value, 4/5 Chariots of the War Heroes: It's a solid option in any IDF list. Cheaper points wise than a Sho't/Centurion while keeping much of the same punching power. Cost wise it ain't bad either. Max you'll be taking 5 of these guys so well worth the cost to pick up a couple of kits.

Overall, 4/5 Chariots of the War Heroes: Man, these were fun to paint up! They look great, I'm sure they'll play great and I'm all around happy with the kit. If it weren't for those stinking machine guns...!!!

"Throckmorton is a reclusive cactus farmer living somewhere in the frosty northern climes of Alberta, Canada. When not pricking himself on pointy caryophyllales, he occasionally deigns to climb down from his northern 'Cactus Throne' to play some Flames and very occasionally writes about his adventures on Throck Of War, his personal blog."

Models provided by Throck's wallet.