Hello
First, according to my last post I would like to thanks to everybody for helping me.
Explanations and photos are excellent !!!!!
Second, I found something strange in my M113a3 from Academy hobby.
When I look on photos which I received from "Sabot" I precisely see a additional armor plate under the front light clusters. The same, when I look on a box "M113a3 Iraq 2003". But when I look into a instruction I don't see this part !? I think it is very important becouse this additional armor plate is a significant different between M113a2 andM113a3(?).
Thank You by help.
Chris

These A3 distinctive armor plates are missing from Academy's kit. They're missing from Tamiya's OIF M113 kit as well..

Frenchy

Most of the M113A3 kits are simple upgrades to Academy and Tamiya's older M113/A1/A2 kits. They've missed this detail, but it would not be difficult to add them yourself with sheet styrene of the right thickness.

But you are right, it is incorrect.

It's interesting how the artist who does the box cover can get the details right while the kit maker can't.

But it's easier for the artist to draw boxart based on a real photograph of the vehicle in action. The kit maker takes a kit they have molds of and adds parts that will cosmetically make it look like the photo without changing the original molds. The add on armor piece was something they missed or just decided it was too difficult to correct without reworking the existing molds.

While I haven't viewed the Academy M113A3 kit, I bet they did not change the interior as well. The M113A3 had some major changes to the interior such as the addition of spall liners and the driver's compartment (steering yoke) has completely changed.

According to Keith Forsyth's in-box review Academy has just added basic spall liners (incorrectly shaped I may add) and a new rear ramp....and that's all

Frenchy

Academy did a half and half upgrade. They changed the rear ramp to have the larger hinges and added the extended towing pintle. They reworked the external fuel tanks and the upper troop hatch. New pieces for the TCs cupola. The so-so spall liners for the interior as well. However, it seems they had two team working on it or something. They totally ignored the front portion in and out. No added armor plate, no new driver's position, etc. It is a pretty good strating point though.

I agree Gino. Even if they lack some features, Academy's M113 kits are still the best game in town....

Frenchy