For those interested in cheap scratch builts and M 113 rare convertions ;
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271385880417&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/1-35-m113-Zelda-IDF-plus-convertion-nag-man-Meshupar-/271385852591?pt=FR_YO_JeuxJouets_MaquettesModelisme&hash=item3f2fdb7aaf

I decided to stop collecting M113 and part with lot of very rare kits
If some are interested I am selling also all the ones that are on my album and more !!!!

I had it called to my attention (rightly so) that the retainers for the spare road wheels on the right side were a little less than credible, so I re-did them, made them a little more beefy. I also knocked the can rack off the rear again, so I started a plastic rack instead, and will make it look more like the ones in my pics, which appear to be made up from angle and strap.
New retainers for the spare road wheels:

And the start of the new can rack:

I guess I have to start the crane pretty soon.....

I got a good start on the crane, and left it movable so I can decide how I want to pose it when the time comes. Academy doesn't give you a whole lot to deal with, so I added lines from the soft tube that Tamiya supplies in the M48 kits for the searchlight wiring.

I also did the can rack on the back from styrene stock, looks more like what my pics show.

And I'm leaning towards leaving off the spare M113 road wheels because I like the look of the mount I fabbed up better than the mounted wheels, but un-decided here.

I'll probably close the ramp and leave it's door open, mostly because I want to paint the white stripe on the back and it won't be seen with the ramp down, and partly because I don't have good pics of the ramp latches.

Russel: You're really going to town, on this one. Keep it up!

Thanks, Matt.
I ordered Spade Ace tracks from Hobby Easy, card got charged about a week ago so I'm watching the UPS guy. About all I have left is the stowage, can holders/straps and to figure out a functional way to run the hydraulic hoses from the crane through the top, and then make it look like they actually go somewhere, like a pump and reservoir which isn't there....
I'm figuring the crane has something like a 240 degree swing, max, and I left the lines long enough, but I've got zip for pics of the top of one of these.
Then it's time for the "P" word.

You can maybe find some cheap tracks browsing on the items on sale there ;
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271393500900&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

There is a cheap set of Oxbow one's

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271393551785&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Impressive job Russel!!

Congratulations!!

And as Matt said: "keep it up!"

Cheers

Romain

Michel, the Spade Ace tracks are here, just up to me now to make the time to get them assembled and on. They do look very nice.
Romain, thanks. I'm still noodling on the best way to do the pass-through for the hydraulic lines, still can't find a pic of the top of one of these things.

Mailman came.....

And some test-fitting:

Now all I need is time.

Nice tracks !!very similar to friuls

For hydraulics you can may be find there :
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/thread/1175876118/1175927698/Need+help+with+IDF++M113+Fitter

About half way through the interior details now. Pivot steer and battery box are done. I am going to use the Eduard PE floor plates next.

Excellent, thanks!

Spade Ace tracks assembled pretty nicely. I did one run while having my morning coffee, and rejected two links out of the entire run. Not bad, and a little better than Friul. Plus, when laid out flat, the run is straight, something Friul could get better. I was a little concerned about the link holes being open on each end, but it actually worked out better: my assembly method was to run a .015" wire through two links, pushing it through about 2mm further than it needed to be, applying a small amount of cryo glue to the tip of the wire and pulling it back flush with the end of the link. I then snipped the opposite end with good end-cutters. That left me with the wire flush with the link on both ends and secured. It took about one hour to do the one side. Pics:


One niggle: the pitch of the sprockets is very slightly different than the tracks, so I have to actually seat the tracks on the sprocket. This may be due to flash in the links' sprocket holes, but it's a niggle.

hello,
there has very beautiful montage in this campaign. here is my input. My M113 will be the color of SWAT.
steph

who makes those decals?

tonyshop,you need to buy 2 boards for a complete vehicle.


http://www.tonyshop.fr/decalques-24/m113-special-u.s.-swat-nasa-fire-department-gun-truck-1-35-49933.html

Interior ready for paint.

I finally got started on the exterior of my M113. I'll have to dig the interior out, but I believe it is ready for super detailing. Here are some progress photos:













I have added some screws to the spaced armor. I plan on adding more slat armor to the front and rear. I will also add mesh armor to the top. I want to attach a mini-gun and flamethrower to the boom. Unsure if I am scratching the mini-gun. For the flamethrower, I will add napalm tanks on the roof. Let's keep this one going.

Verrrry interesting.
My mojo left me on mine, had to build a Sherman for therapy.

NATOflage applied....

Graeme: Nice job. I would never have expected an M113 to evolve into what you have. On a side note, I thought NATO brown had a bit more of a red tint to it.

Thanks, I've had a few fellas remark that it ended up looking like a Chinese Type 89 APC, and I'm in full agreement.

As for NATO colours, you may be right. I just grabbed 3 bottles off the shelf (the NATO black I used is in fact Royal Navy Extra Dark Sea Grey!). Check this picture out, the bridge and the boxer, both painted in NATO 3-colour. You can see there's a lot of latitude..

Hi All,

Is it too late to get in on this campaign?

I'm relatively new to modelling and have an unstarted Academy M113 kit waiting to be built. It won't be anything flash or exciting like some of the examples here.

I have built four or five kits of different types, but ashamed to say I've finished none so far (not even to paint stage!) I reckon a campaign build under the spotlight of fellow modellers may spur me on to actually finish one!

Cheers, Paul.

Paul: So long as you have time to build it, please jump right in. I'm glad to see that it is still attracting members. I do look forward to your build.

Thanks Matt,

Here's my kit to build - now I'd better get on with it!