So, this is definitely not my first build, but it is my first after a decent haiatus. This is going to be an M-113A3 from Academy with some aftermarket bits and parts in some kind of diorama (eventually). I have been scratchbuilding in some bits and pieces here and there. Hope you like the pics, constructive critiques and suggestions welcome!!







more to come in a week or so when there is noticable progress

Made some progress on the 113 build, its slow but steady. Having a heck of a time getting all the stowage done, and done to my satisfaction. The technique I use is to airbrush the whole lot a base color OD, then wash on dirty black, let it dry, and then start drybrushing with the base coat plus white. It is a slow process, cause if I dont let each coat dry, It rubs off. I still have to hit it all with pastels to dust it up, but here ya go... Indictenatlly, all the wiring you see is stripped telephone wire. It works great!

It is looking really nice so far. Do you still plan to install the sliding spall liners? They should be in all M113A3s. Also, the engine is all wrong for an A3. Academy never updated that part. It was wrong for their A2 as well. It is an A1 engine. Also, all A3s have a steering yoke, not laterals.

The Academy kit does an o.k. job of representing an A3. It can still use some additions though. If you are interested, check out Vodnik's M113A3 build.

Yah, I meant to change the laterals to a yoke, but I had already glued them in place ( I got impatient and spent too much time putting wires in the engine bay)

I also had a hard time getting a good refrence for the A-3 Engine bay opened up, so I just used the kit parts and added some bits of wire and pipe (artistic license and all). I have the spall liners ready to go in, I am just not sure how much I want them to cover and what to do. I have a whole bunch of stowage, and I am debating what (if any ) kind of dio/ vignette to put it in ... for now Im having fun stretching my scratchbuilding skills!

Another very brief update. I am drowning in stowage painting and shadowing and etc etc. Hope you guys like it. As a note, I think this is going to become an A2.... I cant stand the look of the spall plates.





Incidentally, anyone whos looking, feel free to offer stowage ideas. I have no set plan yet, but thats half the fun for me.. exploring the possibilites

Frenchy

LOL, it looks like somebody is moving! Got the whole household packed up!

Now Frenchy, where the hell am I gonna come up with the sink??? LOL ..

That is some seriously impressive stowage.. a wall locker would actually be easy..... so would a mattress.... hmmmmmmm

You may want to try doll house furniture and accessories for the stowage.

Ljavascript:PasteSmiley(':-)--

Looks like a good build. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Take your time, it'll come out better. Unfortunately when i was driving 113's, it was when the A1's were new. So i'd be no help with the A3's.

Ronny

Slow progress but making progress. I bought mold making supplies from Micro Mark today, and I am THRILLED with the results sofar.