Hello all

I bought the Academy M113A1 recently and decided to build the US version in Vietnam (I'll build the Aussie version later). Not being much of an expert about anything, I'd like to know the following: what are some good sites for reference photos, good PE and resin AM parts sets and any modifications I should make to the kit. Finally, what colour I should paint it? I prefer acryllic paints.

Thanks

Just a quick note - don't use the turret supplied in the kit to make the Aussie version, it's notoriously inaccurate.
There might be an aftermarket version out there, maybe Mouse House or Firestorm would be the first place to look for Aussie stuff - you can find 'em both with Google.

cheers
Acav

G'day Brett,
A bit more on the after market stuff for the Aussie M113. Mouse House has a kit of the T50 turret (MA113) that includes the turret basket. However they are out of stock at the moment but will be back in the next couple of weeks.

As for the US version, Eduard make 2 sets of PE for the M113.


Cheers Jason

being as you said you were doing the U.S. version, I'd suggest that hit some of the armored CAV websites. They're full of photos. Try 1st of the 1st armored CAV, and 3rd of the 4th for a start. There's also 1st of the 4th CAV and the 17th CAV. Last time I was in the 1st of the 1st CAV it was loaded with pictures, and it seems to me that the 3/4 CAV was loaded with lots of stuff.
gary

At the least there is the Eduard ZOOM set with just the intake screens and some other minor bits.

If you want to be picky check the radiator cap and see if it's the A1 screw in type versus the A2 with the armored flap. A1 also only has one front shock station on each side versus 2 on the A2.

Also the Academy M113s have great inside detail on the driver's hatch but the top incorrectly shows the IR periscope mounted.

Paul

Okay, sounds like a good start; check out CAV websites and some parts might be for the A2 version. I'll get onto it!

Hi Brett
You can have a look HERE for some pics showing US and Australian M113s in Vietnam.

HTH
Frenchy

Frenchy-- nice site, lots of great photos.
thanks
DJ

You're welcome DJ. This guy has done a great job gathering all these pics !

Frenchy

Frency

That is an excellent site, probably the best I have seen for M113 reference. I can give much input as I mostly rubbled around in the back of them.

Good luck with the PC, I will be watching the thread as I have a couple of ACAV's in the stash.

In addition to the site Frenchy listed you may want to check this one as well. They might be by the same guy but the format and organization are a little different.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zippo132/

-Sherb

Well done "Frenchy" and sherb. Great pics with excellent weathering ideas. They can get really dirty those things.

I wonder if anyone does a decal set that matches one of those M113s. It would look totally awesome with a big slogan or animal across it. If anybody knows, let me know about it.

Definitely get the full Eduard exterior set - it has replacement gunshields in a realistic thickness, grills, and all sorts of other useful bits...
The interior kit isn't really neccessary, as you do get quite a detailed interior anyhow...
Academy 113 interior
Some Fruilmodel tracks (though expensive) really make a difference too:
roadwheels and tracks
hope this helps...

Richard

Hey Brett,
As for markings,

Montex Masks make a set of marking for the M113, #35013
http://www.montex-mask.com/html/supermask35_en.htm
These are based on actual vehicles show in the plates of Squadron's Vietnam Armor book.

Verlinden has a set of Vietnam era dry transfers for M113s and M48s etc. It's long out of production #222
Many of these marking are in Osprey's book on Vietnam Armor.

The markings that came in Academy's Vietnam M113 are all shown in Osprey's book on the M113.

The Tamiya ACAV has markings for Draft Dodger (color plate) and Ball Love (photo) which are both shown in Osprey's book. Actual photos of Draft Dodger are buried in the links that Frenchy and I gave above.

I have an ever growing collection of M113 models based on the photos and plates from the references above. That said, much can be done with a set of dry transfer letters and numbers.

As for aftermarket stuff, I'd echo Dog Egg, unless you're going to have the ramp down, the Eduard Exterior set is enough along with the Fruil tracks. If you don't plan on going all out, just get the Eduard Zoom set with the mesh for the engine and a set of the AFV club rubber band tracks.

Don't forget to load up on stowage. Legend has two Vietnam era stowage sets for the M113. Both have tons of stuff. They are #1011 (includes a sand bagged floor) and #1076.

-Sherb

Hi Brett,

Shameless plug :
As for markings; at this moment I’m working on a (MecModels) decalsheet (waterslide) for Vietnam vehicles (M113, LVTP5’s etc) it will have lots of funny markings and graffity-art. I’m not sure about the release date but when it’s ready I’ll be sure to announce it here on Armorama.

Best regards
Mark
www.mecmodels.com

Hi Mark

Nothing wrong with a plug. Have you got any of those decal sheets up and running as I couldn't find any on the site.

Hi Thomo,

I haven't finished the decalset yet; I'm trying to show it on my website as a future release within a few weeks so you'll all have an idea of what it's going to look like.

best regards
Mark

Great. I can't wait. I hope it matches one of the M113s on the previous links, so I have some reference. This thread just gets better by the day.