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Armor/AFV: Vietnam
All things Vietnam
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1/ 35 M113 A1 in Vietnam
tom
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Florida, United States
Joined: December 01, 2003
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Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 11:05 PM UTC
I just got one of the italeri 1/35 M113 A1 at a yard sale and was wondering if it was used in that era Vietnam or which ears conflicts it was used in.


Happy Modeling
Tom
nexus7
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Madrid, Spain / Espaņa
Joined: February 15, 2007
KitMaker: 35 posts
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Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 11:58 PM UTC
I got the same M113, the Italieri one is the basic model from the NATO, it was used widely in vietnam in the basic configuration but it's most usual to see it upgraded to ACAV (with big shields arround the gun turrets, extra MG's...). I think there's a lot of conversion kits, but the esential is to add lots of ammo boxes, camo nets, backpaks, oil drums and all that stuff to the italieri model to give it a nam look.
Appart from vietnam, the M-113 is the most common western APC and has fought in the arab-israel wars(probably on both sides), the two last gulf wars an lots of small third world conflicts. Also is very usual in peacekeeping missions, but you'll find new versions or locally improved models.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 - 12:09 AM UTC
Yes, the Italeri M113A1 version was the type used in Vietnam. It is missing the entire instrument panel/power distribution box that should be to the left of the driver though. Other than that it is OK. The blackout drive light on the left side light cluster is molded upside down though. Shave off the hood and turn it over 180 degrees so it is on the top of the light and you will be good.

The ACAV modification was not added to M113s in Vietnam until late '68. Even after that, not all had it. So you can easily build it without and have an accurate Vietnam M113A1.

Good luck.
trickymissfit
Joined: October 03, 2007
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,357 posts
Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 - 05:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Yes, the Italeri M113A1 version was the type used in Vietnam. It is missing the entire instrument panel/power distribution box that should be to the left of the driver though. Other than that it is OK. The blackout drive light on the left side light cluster is molded upside down though. Shave off the hood and turn it over 180 degrees so it is on the top of the light and you will be good.

The ACAV modification was not added to M113s in Vietnam until late '68. Even after that, not all had it. So you can easily build it without and have an accurate Vietnam M113A1.

Good luck.


I think the first time I ever saw the ACAV turret on an M113 was right around the first of July in 68. I remember doing a road march out on the Thien Phouc road with elements of the 6/11th infantry. They had 48's and M113's with one ACAV. Also that's about the sametime that Sheridans started to show up. There were still a few units using M114's as scout tracks at that time, but most everybody loathed them
gary

Edit: I now think that I may well be wrong about the Sheridans. Seems like I remember being stuck in Quang Ngai (last of April or early may) with some unfriendly folks about a hundred fifty yards in front of us. They soon departed unwillingly after two can rounds got their undivided attention. (E Trp, 1st of the 1st Cav).
vulcan163
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Gdańsk, Poland
Joined: October 02, 2008
KitMaker: 13 posts
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Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 - 06:31 AM UTC
Very lousy model. Tom , better buy "M113A1 Vietnam version" Academy. Interesting kit - M132 zippo track , australian M113 with T50 turret , US army M113 acav and Republic of Korea /"Tiger Division"/.
regards
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
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Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 - 03:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I just got one of the italeri 1/35 M113 A1 at a yard sale and was wondering if it was used in that era Vietnam or which ears conflicts it was used in.


Happy Modeling
Tom

Academy's is a much better kit overall. Italeri's 113 family has a variant of road wheel that was sometimes seen starting in the 1980's, with a smaller stamped "doughnut" around the hub, and larger rim fasteners. Don't know if this was was a change by FMC or by another parts vendor (the M113 was also built under license in Italy). The old Concord book included some photos of both wheel types mixed on the same vehicle.
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