Hi there,
I'm back with a new scratchbuilt job. An Italian 4x25mm AA named SIDAM. SIDAM means "Sistema Integrato di Difesa Antiaerea Mobile" or self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the famous M113 hull. The project started back in the mid '80s for the Italian Army. Only very few hundreds pieces have been built. The idea was great (a sort of M163 Vulcan) but due to the hight costs of the sensors and radars with the loss of "agility" due to his weight and high turret, the SIDAM didn't see any improvement or export. It worked only on flat terrains and very good weather conditions. The model kit is already done so this WIP will not be let incomplete.

The starting kit is the famous Academy M-113A2 in 1/35 scale and I would represend the entire kit open and clean (not covered by any sort of dust or mud). The only one resin conversion available was the "Historica" one, not more available. It was very expensive with several mistakes.

The main element is the turret. Its gives you all the info about dimensions of the central ring, lenght of the guns, and so on.
First of all I made some drawings on paper and then on the plasticard sheet.

Turret interiors.



Starting the turret collar/base

Oh this looks rather interesting. Looking forward to seeing this develop.
p

Thanks Pod!
THis is the real thing.

Pics played by myself.

Looks like a good start to an impressive project, your scratch building skill is incredible, I'm looking forward to the next update!

Maurizio,
I love to watch your WIP blogs. Do you think you will finish this project by 04-30-16? If so, you a very welcome to join our flak campaign!

Dear Mark,
the SIDAM is already done. Can I partecipate with a finished model kit?

First dry fitting. The turret collar have been covered with with Squadron putty and given the correct shape with a carefully sandpapering job.

If it was started and finished with in the campaign timelines then I think it would be fine to join. But I guess I'm confused; I thought this thread was about a current work in progress.

Dear Mark,
I think I'm not able to partecipate. The model kit was already finished last April...

Proceeding with the interiors of the turret.



Scribing the panel covering the electrical power supply located to the outside of the hull. It is a panel in reality so I made a plasticard template.

Interiors of the turret. I've used pieces of plasticard, copper wires and spare pieces for scratchbuiding the interiors.

Making the side pods. I've used the paper tape, the XActo blade and the liquid putty for welding seams.

Interiors:

All the pieces are done. Next step: painting!

Painted interiors.



Homemade decals

Turret interiors Painted with the Humbrol interior green. Side Windows are clear pieces of stirene sheet. Details Painted with Italeri acrilics. Homemade decals and details.



Turret closed.

Excellent scratchbuilding project Maurizio !
Did you work from factory blueprints or from your own measurements?

Olivier

Very nice!

I've got the now long oout of production Historica resin conversion allowing to build the SIDAM and its ammo supply vehicle, also some turned barrels and aftermarket decals for the SIDAM so I'm good to go, but no interior.

Cheers,

Christophe

To Olivier: I've got no blueprints nor drawings, just a perfect match between the kit hull dimensions and real pictures. The only two techn. drawings coming from a model club magazine were not in 1/35 scale and not corresponding to the kit dimensions/shape.

To Christope: please note the Historica had some mistakes. Please compare mine with the Historica one. I know the resin kit (historica) had no interiors. My goal was to scratchbuild the external and interiors, too.

cheers
Maurizio

The frontal side of the turret is also done as well as the welding seams and some particulars. Also note the temporary turret stand made of an empty yoghurt cup.

Gran lavoro!!!! Veramente notevole !!!

Thanks Guido!

This is one of the several dry fittings.