Check this photo I've taken this morning, it is sprue X. There's 2 of them. On each, there is 2 different track. In the photo, it's not hard to see, top left. IN the instructions, nothing is written about them.



So my question is: If you've built this model, what did you do with these 4 parts?

Please

Marc

For what it's worth but I think they are sparetracks since the attachments bolts are visible !

Gé

Hi Marc,

Those are spare track links - track links that are stored somewhere on the hull to replace broken track links.

The track sprues in your kit is the same for many, perhaps all, Academy M113-series releases. Some of those versions may have spare track links, others may not. Your references should give you a clue.

This M163 have on spare link in place, and below it you can see the mounting points for a second link:


Again: your references is your clue. If the vehicle you are modeling have them - add them.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
/E

@zapper: Makes perfect sense. I was thinking about putting them somewhere, near the driver mostly, anything that could deflect a bullet, since we all know the armour on the M113 is "so strong" (cynical), is good for that person. But I needed to be certain, didn't want to make a mistake

Thank you very much for the photo and the idea.

@bankmannl: thank you

@zapper/Erik: While I have your attention, I see on eBay a Verlinden AM set:

Verlinden 1/35 M113A2 APC Full Interior Set (incl. Engine) (Academy 1354) 2731

It's for Academy 1354 and my M163 is Academy 1360. If you've seen the set, or if anybody seen it and hopefully installed it successfully, could you tell me? I'd like to add it, I think the seat in the middle of the floor could be a problem, but that's why we have cutters and scalpel ;-)

Please let me know?

Marc again

Hi Marc

It's up to you, as I guess many parts designed for the M113A2 troop compartment would be quite useless for your M163...

Here are some M163 interior pics :











HTH

H.P.

[quote
Verlinden 1/35 M113A2 APC Full Interior Set (incl. Engine) (Academy 1354) 2731

It's for Academy 1354 and my M163 is Academy 1360. [/quote]

The interior of an M163 is very different from a standard M113 (as the Verlinden set and Academy 1360 are). It has a couple large lockers on the side walls, a large central ammo drum, and a huge turret for the gun that extends deep into the interior. The TC's seat is also relocated to the right rear corner (where the hatch is on th eroof)

If you want an M163 with an interior, you will need the basic M113 interior and Hobby Fan's M163 Vulcan interior sets.

Hobby Fan set.


M163 interior pics:

@Mr Gino & Frenchy too: I was thinking about this AM set:



Since the original Academy turret in #1360 isn't as big as the other Verlinden, I thought it would fit.