Well, our new M-113 interiors are in production with more items on the way.

http://miliminis.homestead.com/35ScaleOrders.html

Might be interested in the kit for the "Starship" M60A2 (Stock Number 35005) when it's available.

Let us know!


~ Jeff

I'd like to see an M577 interior

A full conversion for the M-577A1 and A2 are already in the works and both will feature full interiors. The Tent extension is being considered as an optional set. We hit a slight "Bump" with the M-60A2 but the missing info is on the way to finish the Master.

A tent extension set would be welcome....time to scrtch build the FDC for artillery..... I luv the hotel on wheels!!

Rounds Complete!!

I was over at Bob's today and got a look at what he's done with the M-577 and I must say that it is impressive. Gonna be one Hell of a conversion! He's just stalled-out on the Tent extension project as he doesn't have any good dimensions for it and he hates "fudging" things.

Ya the penthouse would be awesome!





cheers

Yes, that tent extension will make for some really cool Dioramas!

If you're looking for informations about the extension currently used with the M1068 & M577A3, called MCPS (Modular Command Post System) there had been a thread about it back in 2008 :
http://armorama.com/forums/128587

There are some dimensions here and here and in the pages that follow...

Sorry I can't help you with with the earlier extension (as used in Vietnam)...

Frenchy

Here is some more info

http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m577.html

http://www.outdoorventure.com/tent_systems_mcp.php

The earlier system was not as "modular" as the current. It was also the older, heavy canvas material. Size should be about the same. As you can see the original was 120 sq ft.....at 8 feet wide it makes it 15 feet long.

Rounds Complete!!

Finally a good set for me to detail set that I've wanted to do a pibber and m113 and a truck dio since I was a kid now I can do that.This one is the great addition for my dio list that I needed.

Happy Modeling
William DeCicco

Thanks for all the info, you guys are fantastic! I do believe that there is enough to solve the Tent extension problems now.

Heya, Ronnie,

I've always wanted to do an M-48 with the 18 inch Crouse-Hind searchlight.

Has your outfit considered rending this? It'd also work for Korean War modelers as well, as I believe it was sometimes mounted on the M46.

Keeping my eyes open --- great to see the cool stuff you've got in the works for Vietnam War modelers!! Keep up the good work!!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Hey Johnny,
That one is definately on the Patton Parts list along with many more. Just as soon as the main M-113 sets are done, we'll be hitting the Patton series. Stay tuned!
Aloha to you too!
Ron

I was working on a bunch of Tamiya M113 and variants. I am not were I want to be in terms of model building but I can build a model and make it look pretty good.

BUT.....

I got so frustrated trying to make the Tamiya kits to look right that I ended up just throwing them in the garbage. They are junk, unless you want to basically use the very difficult Eduard PE kits to fix them they are at best for building a basic kit without detail. Even the Eduard kit doesn't have everything you would need.

So I tried to fix them. The more I looked and the more I tried to fix the more screwed up they became. So out of frustration I just dumped them. Too bad they don't make the M577 and M106 anymore. It was one thing after another, the more I checked my books and pictures the more I was like well were is this and were is that. No detail at all and the M113 doesn't even have the tube for the bilge pump at the top rear of the vehicle, the Tamiya M106 does.

I have found the Academy kit is so much better and the parts from the Tamiya kits can be made to fit. So I am going to start over using the Academy as a base to build the M106, M125 and M577. Their m113 ACAV seems very good as does the M132 variant, but their cupola is not correct and that needs work.

You live and you learn.........

The issues with the Tamiya kit are endless and the list is too long to write here. I am hoping all these issues are eventually fixed with the aftermarket kits mentioned here.

The Tamiya M577 is wrong in so many ways......I know, I drove them as well as M901 and M113s.

Sorry to hear about your frustrations Big Daddy, I know how you feel with the Tamiya M-113. I've always liked that track and that explains our first releases as the interiors have always been a major issue. Hopefully our new interior fixes will help folks out when building the Tamiya kits. The M-577 interior set is coming along nicely, now the question is whether or not to turn it into a full blown and correct conversion set as originally planned. Oh well, there is time to give this more thought.
Sales of the M-113 interiors have not been that great so far but we're going to keep chugging away with the M-113 series anyway. I am currently working on an exterior fix set for the Tamiya kits as well as some parts of the Academy ones.

Ronnie,
I know I'm interested in your interiors but I'm holding on until you have a few more bit released so I can do a larger order and save on the postage cost to the UK. It may be the same for other folks as well?
I'm definately in the market for any Vietnam related kits or AM stuff so keep up the great work and I really hope things pick up sales wise for you.
Regards
David

Heya, Ronnie,

Just thought of another bit that would be very useful for either M48s or Riverine craft: how 'bout some affordable sets of 40mm rectangular ammo cans you often see on the Patton turrets and on the Monitors...?

In other news, how's it going Frenchy and David...?!! I hope that life, modeling and everything in- between is good for you guys!! David, when are we going to see that PACV in a diorama...?

Keep 'em rolling, Ronnie!!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

I think like myself more modelers are interested in the outer part of the vehicle. Even making them with closed hatches. I would like to make one with a full inside showing, that is a lot of detail work and I really do not think my hands can deal with that type of work. It's like building ships in a bottle. Some people can, most cannot.

I think once you start showing the outside stuff people will start buying. I know I will!!!!

Honestly if you had them out I would have bought them for the tamiya kits I did have that are now in a landfill.

I did send you an email that I never got an answer to. But that won't stop me from purchasing a bunch of stuff once you release the things I would want. I can make a nice list and one thing would be the shackles and clevises I think thay are called. Most M113 variants have them on the vehicles. Also the PE wire covers for the louvers over the engines, thats really the only useful thing on the Eduard PE sets.

Another thing is the guards over the lights, they are wrong on both make kits. Don't get me started, it frustrating even thinking about it. The whole back of the Tamyia M577 is WRONG.

I agree with the need for the exterior parts and we're going to delay molding the IDF interior and finish up our exterior set for the Tamiya Kits. Bob just dropped a full Vietnam Anti-Mine set for the Tamiya ACAV in my lap yesterday along with some of the main exterior upgrades. They look nice and some are going to be a real bear to mold.
I recently "canned" our person responsible for casting and shipping and have taken over that end of it myself. That was one big headache that I'm glad to be rid of! So, with all orders shipped out we can get back on the right track.
I didn't want to say this just yet but we do have a nice set of Nam-related exterior accessories in the works which include different ammo cans. I even remember using the larger 40 mike mike cans for storing personal junk including Budweiser! Those were the last place the CO would look for booze!
Sorry Big Daddy, checked my emails and there's nothing there. Of course that could be related to my little personnel problem mentioned earlier which has be rectified.

Noooooooooooooooo,
I have at least 7 IDF m113 that need an interior and would defiantly but more than that.
Could you e-mail me regarding IDF amour you wish to do.

Paul.

I have a reply to your message, it is in your inbox. Thanks Paul!
Ron

All startup companies have their growing pains. One of them is getting good people and keeping them.

I only do Vietnam era US stuff and am building a nice collection. I am waiting on so many things until my skills improve. To do them right from the box is pretty easy, glue, paint and a little weathering and you're done. Doing it to look like the real thing is a hard laborious task but worth it when it's done.

Having kits that make it easier also makes it more fun. Part of the fun is scratch building but when it gets to the point you're completely rebuilding the model for me that stops being fun and it becomes frustrating.

One trick I learned with those things over the lights on the rear of the M113 variants is to use a staple, bend and glue to original. Most were bent out of shape so it does not have to be perfect. I don't know what they are called.

I found a new defect on the Tamiya kit, it just keeps adding up the more I look.

Very true, the Tamiya kits do need alot of TLC but I've found that that is what makes Modeling fun. Well, for me at least. Good tip for those guards over the rear taillights Big daddy! Speaking of taillights, the correct ones are part of the new exterior set. If you look closely, there is a difference between right and left.
Many will say, just go out and buy an Academy M-113, if you want a fairly accurate M-113A1 or A2. Not really true! We have every last M-113 kit and variant available today in our shop and I've looked them all over carefully. Academy comes close but there are still items that could stand improvement, especially the interior, top deck (roof), main front upper hull plates especially around the headlights and their mounts, taillights and some smaller areas of the rear ramp. Tamiya basically "Screwed the Pooch" with their M-113's but when you look at their age, they still provide a fairly decent basis to build on. What I wanted to do with our M-113 products was to find a way that everyone can build a really nice, and accurate, M-113 regardless of which base kit you have. With the Tamiya and Academy kits being so close in measurements it will be possible. We are also looking at ways to produce the resin items cheaper but still maintain a higher degree of quality. I'm also in the process of adjusting our shipping fees which will bring them down a bit. In the end, you will be able to build a nicely detailed and accurate M-113 (or variant) and save alittle in the process.
Well, it's back to work. I'm trying my hand at mastering now with parts for our M-113A1 exterior "Facelift" set to speed things up a bit. We're working to bring both our exterior M-113A1 "Facelift" and the IDF interior set out all at once. Should prove interesting!

Howdy Ronnie,

My reasons for not having placed an order have already come up here. One: I'm waiting to be able to order more in the same order, and two: I'm actually more interested in the exterior sets. ... not to mention the Starship set!

Accuracy and quality is what I wish from any conversion/update set so while I feel exited over the fact that a producer finally will take on cold war armour I'm also willing to be patient and let you guys take the time you need.

Looking forward to sending some USD's your way as things become availible.

(and to David and Johnny and the rest of the PACV crew)

Cheers,
/E