Hi all, trying to get personal preferences on which is the best 1/35 kit available to depict an Aussie M113 in Vietnam during the conflict.

In which scale?

In 1/35 I prever the Academy 13266 M-113 Vietnam Version.

Sam.

Academy hands down as the Tamiya kit is an M113 not an M113A1. The Academy Vietnam version has a T50 turret but it is pretty much rubbish. Get an aftermarket from Firestorm, ACM or Mousehouse.
Al

Agreed that Academy's M113A1 is the way to go for now, even though a newly tooled M113-series in 1/35 is way overdue.

MMK Models also do a nice conversion with the T-50 turret.

http://www.vt-models.cz/www-vt-models-cz/eshop/1-1-AFV-35/0/5/672-M-113-T-50-conversion-set-1-35

I don't have this particular set, but I do have some of MMK's other newer conversions and detail sets and they are very nice.

VT Models (as linked) is also very good handling orders, deliveries etc.

I would say the best guide is mouse house and can be found here
http://www.mheaust.com.au/MHE/OZ%20M113%20Guide.htm
I would suggest that you get in pretty soon as John from mouse house has said he is closing down for six months the following is from the home page:

Mouse House Enterprises will be closing down for 6 months from 1 December 2015 to 30 May 2016.
There will be a 30% clearance sale on everything in our catalogue for personal shoppers only at SCALEACT 15 - see below.
From 15 to 30 November the 30% off all items will apply for email orders on remaining stock only. No back orders. Postage at cost.
Books, decals, paints and stencil will remain available for sale during this close down period but on remaining stock only at catalogue prices.
We will be re-assessing our business profile and re-open on 1 June 2016

I also agree with Sven that the MMK Models kit looks pretty good if you are looking at doing a late war vehicle.

Great book suggestion :



OOP but still available online from Amazon...

H.P.

Yes, a fine book. I also highly recommend Mike Cecil's book 'Mud and dust' , which used to be a ridiculous bargain but is still good value from Amazon anyway. An author who knows his subject tends to result in good work and he does.

Yes I am biased. I cast for Mouse House.
But, the MMK kit has no mantlet boot, the basket is incorrect,spent round bin is the wrong shape, turret ring gear teeth not present, nor is the traverse gear box. Cargo hatch air filter box is a bit too high up off the actual hatch, and does not come with the correct drivers hatch.
The kit images show resin water jerry's, not really correct for Australian.
As I said on the announcement for this kit, just placing a M-706/V-100 T50 turret on top of an M113 does not make it Australian.

If you want to do a closed up M113 with T50, the Firestorm one is fine.

Cheers Jason

Ps, if your interested, post a response here and I will write up a list of all the kits required to do an accurate Australian M113A1.

Thanks everyone for the great info, sounds like a bit of aftermarket is needed. Yeah Jas could you please put up a list for mine and everyone else's benefit

Unsure weather to make the M113A1 FSV or the Apc version. Is the Tamiya FSV a decent kit?!

The Tamiya FSV is a good start but has an incorrect hull top. main problen is that the left rear corner near the fuel filler cap should have a bevelled corner for the new mounting plate and turret riser. MA136 also gives many additional smaller bits to detail the turret and the vehicle itslef.

MA136 is the easy way to update the tamiya kit and MAD608 gives marking for the 8 FSVs that served in Vietnam

Out