I'm sure I seen a post some were back with Sabot saying that the tamiya M113A3 was wrong due to the external fuel tanks as these were only fitted to the mortor carriers?
so the question is can I use Italeri's M113A2 kit for an OIF version and could I get away
with using the left over parts for the extra armour around the 50 cal? and whats the kit like any good?

I said that the only variants of US M113A2 vehicles that had external fuel tanks are the M981 FIST-V and the M1064 120mm mortar carrier. Any other US variant of the M113 with external fuel tanks are based on the M113A3.

Both the M113A2 and M113A3 variants are still in wide use throughout the US Army. Italeri's M113 is an M113A1 and not an M113A2. It should not be too difficult to modify it to look cosmetically like an M113A2 though.

MIKE,
I would use any Academy M113 as a starting point. They are a better kit than the Italeri ones. But if thats what you already have then go for it.
The Italeri M113 is an A1 not an A2/A3 so you have to do some little corrections to the kit if you want an ODS or OIF type of AFV. The external fuel tanks are as Sabot said "only std on the FISTV and M1059/1064 type 113's. But all current A3's come w/ these tanks on to improve internal space, for personal and type equipment.
Just check you photos and referance so you dont make a mistake.

M113A1 Vietnam Version from Academy CN 1389 is the M113 i ve bought to fix for the Cover up campaighn in a dio , that i ve already started to build. I d like to ask in Vietnam was used only this type the M113 A1 or some other types also (maybe later than this ) Thanks for your time buddies

The M113A1 began production in 1964 and the M113A2 began production in 1979. Since American mechanized involvement began and ended in between these two dates, I would imagine that the M113A1 was mainly used with perhaps a few plain M113s. M113A2 was not made before the end of the war.

here ya go:
M113 production 1960-1968 (4) shock absorbers
M113A1 pro. late 1964-1979 (6) shock absorbers
M113A2 prod. late 1979/80 - present (6) shocks heavier susp.
M113A3 prod. 1989-present (6) shocks heavy susp.
And there are other mods, to include engine, trans, applique armor, fuel tanks, wheels, maybe SABOT can add some thoughts?

thanks for the help guys, always fast and accurat ein here!!!!!!

ROTORHEAD thinks that 113 is going to look pretty silly with chin bubbles, rotors and a BIG TAILBOOM, w/ streamers out the back. (:-)

IM SO CONFUSED.
HE SAIID SHE SAID

Grey Hunter.
the info I posted came from the Hunnicutt book and personal knowledge.
Understan 1 thing, in referance to production type ie: 113, A1, A2 .......mods were performed on existing chassis to prove concept and function. And the A1 A2 mods were done late in the preceeding models lifespan. sooooooo you can have say 113 w/ A1 mods on it.
BUT NEW PRODUCTION DATA labeled types will have matching data and mods for said model already installed.
Now when it comes to plastic........I think the best advice here is to compare photos,referance,and said plastic model in hand, and then build your model accordingly.
THIS I KNOW: The old Tamiya kits are 113's not A1
The Italeri (early kits) are A1, w/ there M163,FISTV,M901 kitted from these molds. so what happens is you have A1 hulls made to look like A2 type vehicles like the ones mentioned.
ITS called MODEL ECONOMICS , TOOLING VERSUS $$$$ VERSUS what do we already have in kit for.