Dear All
Well since the new blog feature is active, I would like to share with you my new build. It will be a M113A3 with add-on armour for sure and maybe slat.
Starting kit is the Tamiya M113A2 turn into a M113A3 with the help of Vodnik useful article .

And the following picture as a source of inspiration:


Here is the side and the front progress pictures:







Comments welcome

Stay tune
Seb

This is looking good so far. Will keep checking this blog.

Looks like a good start. Good luck on your project.

Erik

So here is the M113A3 complete with the add on armour, now the fun part will start the slat armor, well it looks like more than a bird cage than slat, on the picture below you can see that it is wires connected to the frame



So here is the M113A3, if I missed something please let me know

Sebastien-- cool! Nice workmanship. Continue to build and keep us informed.
Well done.
DJ

Looks very nice so far, Sebastian.

Looking forward to see more - thanks for sharing your work

Ok now the problem start, the bird cage armor, I started with styrene rod 0.3mm diameter but I am running out of it and my LHS sell only cheese so I am in trouble, turn that copper will do a good replacement but it is difficult to strait it, so waiting for my 0.3mm rod

Give me your opinion





Seb

Sebastien,

No need to depend on plastic rod...Just go for any wire with correct diametre.
You can Straighten the wire perfectly :

By using a flat file (I use a smooth jewelers file) start at one end of the wire--position file perpendecular to wire pressing down firmly start "rolling" the wire with forward and backward motion of the file, at the same time move the file along the wire...this will cause the wire to twist slightly thus becoming straight. Works well for short lenghts of wire to be straighten.

For long lenghts of wire, the other method I use is with the help of placing a metal rule(I use 12 inch rule) directly on top and same direction lenght-wise of the lenght of wire ( I use about 24inches maximum) Use both hands-fingers holding down towards the ends of the rule, using quick forward and backward motion of the rule and at the same time moving the rule either to the left of right of the wire.
Take caution that the free lenght of the wire will be spinning as you work--Don't get your eyes poked!

In both methods the wire will be roughen-and it'll also pick up any dirt, dust, dried super glue on your mat-So use a medium grade sand paper to run along the wire to smoothen it, or use your hobby knife for the job-moving the blade in opposite direction of cutting angle as you would by removing seam lines on plastic.

Oh yes, both methods should be done on a cutting mat for the wire to have some grip to the surface and thus "roll" during the straightening process.

Good luck!

Nick

Cool method Nick
i gonna try that tonight

Seb

Hope it works for you...

Forgot to add..I think you can also use a 6 inch rule instead of a file for short lenghts of wire..but I like to use the file since there's a lot of control.

Hi Sebastien

When I want to straighten a 12" to 24" lenght of copper wire, I lock one end in my table wise and the other end with wise grip ( locking pliers ) and pull on it until it is straight., some times it becomes a 1/4 to 3/4 inches longer but straight.

Cheers

Ralph

So trying to straight the rod was not really succesful and I try to stick to plastic materials due to the fact that I am running out of PS rod, I found a interesting stuff in my house guess what a fishing line of 0.4mm diam right the good dimension. But it is in Nylon, people may argue difficult to glue and work with.

After so tries and test, I was not really happy with the result, so I decide to use a jig for the line in order to speed the process and to have an exact alignment of the line on the panels. So It was compulsory to do all the panel in the same time:

Here is my solution ehehehhe





I used a normal wood panel where I did groove on the edge in order to block the fishing ine spaced by 2.5mm on each side on the wooden panel, then I put the frame:





And apply the fishing on the edge push it onto the groove and repeat the operation16 times.

et voila



You like it it took me 15 min to glue the 16 lines onto the 3 frames,

Bird cage for M113A3 piece of cake

Great idea on the jig and the finished product looks great.

Paul

That jig is a great idea. Everything looks nice and straight. Can't wait to see more. Now if I could just finish my Styker, Abrams, King Tiger...

Wow Seb, thats looking lovely! The second attempt at the slats looks a lot better and much more even. I look forward to seeiing this one complete.

Its seems noone is afraid by slat armor anymore....i still dont think I have the patience or skill to try it, im tempted to try as my LHS has a load of brass rod in thats excellent to work with and would be ideal for this.

Good work. I saw this 113 at a truck stop. Just a few more shots for you.




HTH

Patrick

Hi Sebastien. Really inventive work with the slat armor. Looks great. It looks like the corner pieces will be the real test though. Good luck with the rest.

Dear Patrick
Thanks for the pictures really happy to be part of such nice community

@ Franck, now you know why i did start with the side panel

Seb

Well all side panels are finish Please check below, some small corrections need to be done.
I am woring on the front and rear panels, I will keep the curve panels for the last

Comments welcome

Looking good. Very creative jig you've made as well. I can imagine the difficulty this type of slat armor can have but patience is all that is needed.

Dear All
I am happy to tell you that this WIP will be back to business soon.
I am currently trying to find a solution for the curved section
Please stay tune
Seb

Hi Seb,
Any progress on this baby? I'm trying to do the same thing with my Academy M113A2.
Cheers

Seb,

Looking great! Great idea using the fishing line and the jig!

Yes I have complete the protection for the rear door
well still not working on the corner parts

I hope to post some pictures soon my camera did not appreciate water bath

Thanks for your comments
Seb

What did you use for the additional Armor?