I have put the question mark on purpose . The question has already been dealt with in some recent posts but I just want to make things clearer (at least for me). The Tamiya kit is labelled as a M113A2, but according to the informations I already have gathered the external fuel tanks (as well as the modified trim vane) are A3 features...Am I right ? If so could Mr T's kit be seen as a reasonnably accurate A3 (assuming that you keep the hatches closed ) ?
Bonus question : I have found several OIF pics showing Engineers M113A2s : do these vehicles have specific features (internal layout...) or are they standard "Buckets" ?

TIA
Frenchy

You are correct in that it should be labeled as an M113A3. The rear cargo ramp details differ from an A2 to an A3, so it may need some detailing on the outside of the ramp.

Engineer M113A2/A3s are the same as any other in the back.

I got it under construction I've spent as long filling and sanding it as building it hopefully now it's ready for a lick of paint and I'm adding adcadmey tracks/50 cal and verlindens update set I'm a bit disapointed with the kit just a quick cash in on an old mold

gotta agree with mikeli125...I too was disappointed, especially looking at what Tamiya did with the M2A2. The M113A2 kit is way overpriced...

Hey Rob, aside from the M981and M901,didn't the Engineer's M113A2's have the extended range fuel tanks as well? I thought that Tamiya's kit would be ok as is, especially for a engineer ride.

(man, I gotta learn to spell when typing at speed...)

The only US M113A2 vehicles that had external fuel cells are the M981 FIST-V and the M1064 120mm mortar carrier. Just those two vehicles in US use. Every other US M113 vehicle with external fuel cells are based on the M113A3 chassis.

The M901 ITV did not have external fuel cells. An engineer M113A2 would be like any other M113A2 with just gobs of engineer equipment hanging off. They also used the M105 1½ ton trailer to haul all their junk.

Thanks Rob for clearing things up (as usual ) In fact I have not planned to buy this kit ( I've got enough Academy A2 kits longing to be build) but I just wanted to be sure...

Frenchy