Hey, gang
I'm thinking about building a diorama featuring a Vietnam-era M48 and/or an M113 and would like some input regarding currently available kits. I was satisfied with both of the Tamiya kits I built years ago, but was wondering about what other choices I may have, including aftermarket accessories.
I intend to incorporate some of the recently released figures from Bravo-6 and Evolution Miniatures, where as, in the past, I relied on Verlinden.
I'm not too lazy to do the research on my own, but getting input from those who are "in the know" often helps.
Thanks,
Randy

The best M113A1 is the Academy one. It is more detailed than the old Tamiya one. Tamiya's M48A3 is still the only, and best one out there. Here is a tweak list to improve upon it though.

1. Turret height should be increased by approx 1.5mm, which can be done by adding a sheet styrene shim, which can then be sanded to the turret's shape.

2. Fill the motorization slots and holes on the model.

3. Three oval holes should be added to the drive sprockets at the 12, 4 and 8 o'clock positions, these are not present on the model, but were there in real life. Check reference pics for shape and location.

4. It's worth considering replacing the fender stays with PE items or homemade efforts of very thin sheet styrene.

5. Rebuild the stowage basket from thin wire; it really improves the model.

6. Add casting numbers to the turret roof, rear hull, and engine access doors.

7. Glue mantlet in place and fill gap with milliput to represent the canvas cover.

8. Replace the cover, fixing clips with plastic strip and add bolt heads.

9. If shown opened, shave off loader's hatch internal handle and latch mechanism, and replace with brass or plastic strip, rod and tube.

10. Turret water jerry cans have incorrect style filling cap.

11. You could replace the molded on tie downs on the turret with brass items.

12. Use copper wire to add 3 lifting lugs to the commander's cupola, at the 12, 4, and 8 o'clock positions.

13. Shave off and replace the hull stowage bin handles with plastic/brass strip.

14. Fill up the main turret site periscope, as well as the driver's periscopes.

15. Add cast texture to the turret and hull.

16. Replace the awfully incorrect kit tracks with aftermarket ones. The AFV set is great, just make sure you get the correct one, they make two sets that they say can be used on the M48 and M60 tanks. One of them has octagonal shaped pads; the other has chevron shaped pads. The latter (chevron block) are the correct ones for a Vietnam era tank.

17. Suspension height correction. The Tamiya kit was based on a vehicle that did not have the engine installed, as such, it was lighter and rode high on its suspension. The kit is about 3mm too high. To fix it, cut the tabs off the road wheel arms and lower all the arms by 3mm. Each suspension arm damper should also have about 2.5mm removed, they are too long and also make the model sit a little too high. You may also have to remove a couple track blocks on each side to take the slack out of the track.



For aftermarket, check Legend. They have lots of add-on gear and sandbag sets for both the M113A1 and M48A3.

Good luck.

Thanks, Gino
That's one helluva detailed tweak list! Maybe I'll just bury it in the mud, which could depict an extremely realistic diorama for that theatre of war. lol I've seen more than a few reference photos to justify that short cut.

The tweak list is all suggestions. It can look great straight out of the box. At the least, replace the incorrect Tamiya tracks with the excellent AFV set. They are easy to build and will improve the look of it 100%.

Not to hijack the thread, but anybody know of an aftermarket turned barrel for the M48?

I'm going to start one here in a few months. So I'd like to get what ever I need lined out.

I'll second Gino's recommendation on the 113 - the Academy one is the best out there.

I think Barrel Depot makes a 90mm barrel for the M48, bd35039.

Check The Barrel Store, http://www.thebarrelstore.com/Barrels.htm#BDepot

That's it, looks like I'll need to cut the OEM barrel at the pleated cover and graft it in.

I'll second Gino's suggestion for replacing the kit tracks with the AFV Club ones. Even if the rest of the tank is built box stock, the tracks are a worthwhile (and cheap) upgrade. I've used them on both an M48 and an M60 build, and they really make a difference.

BTW, thanks for posting that tweak list again, Gino. This time, I've saved it where I'll be sure to find it again.

-YL

Hi There,I am just finishing my Tamiya M48A3,I`ve used Legend`s resin detail set on it.
The set has some very nice additional stowage but the highlight is the replacement cover for the main gun with a new spotlight with a canvas cover on it.The only down side is the little bit of sanding you`ll need to do to get the 105 to sit at a realistic angle with a little bit of filler round the edges - other than that it`s great !.

Hi Randy,
Most everything everybody has said is spot on. Friulmodel do M113 metal tracks for a start.
I've got both kits myself (both Tamiya) so I'll have a look through to see what I've got.
Also, Verlinden have released a new sand-bag set which has a few extra goodies in it!
Give me a few hours & I'll get back with the list of things you'll need.
Talk soon.
Joe.

Thanks, guys
Please feel free to keep the info flowing. It's certainly appreciated.
By the way, I've been doin' a little research on the subject and read a vet's account of his unit, and, probably many others, using C-ration boxes as applique armor on their M48s. They would set off projectile charges before they hit the turret. They didn't have room to stow them inside, anyway. I'll bet it made an helluva mess, though.
Randy
Here's a shot of a diorama I built nearly 10 years ago, featuring Tamiya's M113 and Verlinden's figures. I dedicated it to my friends in the local chapter of VietNow.

This is a shot of our local community's Vietnam Memorial. It took our local chapter of VietNow, which is also the Charter Chapter, nearly 10 years to raise the money to make it a reality and to renovate the Huey. I'm proud to call a few of its members my friends. The names of a couple of my friends are also etched on that wall. Notice the well-worn combat boots placed just to the left of the wreath.