Good morning, everyone.
I'm going to buy a M113 kit but I don't know which kit is better. There are Tamiya, Academy and Italeri so I do have many choices that make me confused. Please let me know your reviews about these kits. Appreciate that.
Many thanks
BAO

My favourites are the Academy kits.

The Academy kit is the best but still not as good as it could be (Hint, Hint Academy). They originally released an A2 Track as would have been found in a US Armoured Infantry unit in the 80;s with the Dragon co mount on the Commanders postion. It also offered a pretty good interior although there are dimensional issues with the fuel cell and a few missing bits like the ramp pully etc. External Fuel cells are provided. The Engine is the correct GM Diesel for an A1/2 and pretty complete. They offered a number of versions including my favourite the Vietnam M113A1 release which offers the options of a Slick, ACAV, Australian w/T50 Turret, Zippo and a 106mm M40 RCL mounted. It also comes with a few figures and a Vietnamese Civlian. Note thaat interiors are not provided for any verrsions other than the SLick and ACAV. This kit has been updated with some external parts for a GW era or OIF period vehicle but it is not completely correct. Isreali, AD and Fitters variants weree also released.
Tamiya was the first to offer a mainstream M113 in the 70's and it came with an interior and a crew plus three infantry (Vietnam period). This was greaat for its day but is an original Petrol engined M113 not an A1 as claimed. It is not as good as the Academy one and the crew are a bit clunkly. Tamiya follwed this up with an M106 Mortar car, M577 ACV and an Australian M113A1 FSV with Saladin Turret. These were ok in their day but do show their age and lacking in details we are currently used to. THe next release was an ACAV with a reaally useful crew set and in action dismounts. My personal favourite of the Tamiya ones. Theree last release waas an OIF/ GW variaant with externaal stowaage aand some features to suit though it is still essentially the saame base M113 not an A2 or A3 as clamed (Just like Academy's but more dated).
AFV Club offered three M113 family vehicles which were the Chapparral ADV (Own tool), M548 TLC (Own tool) and the M113 FSV (Actually an MRV) with Scorpion turret. This last one is a cooperative with Academy and reasonaly good with fictitious markings and lacking a few parts.

Depending on what period you wish to depict some offer moree than others but the Academy should be the first choice kit for any diesel powere Bucket.
Cheers
Al

The Italeri kit (also released sometimes by Revell-Germany) has unusual wheels with a smaller stamped ring and larger retaining fasteners around the rim. These do turn up very occasionally on US vehicles, but may be wheels produced in Italy by OTO-Melara, who build the M113 for Italy and other NATO nations. I wouldn't recommend that kit for a standard FMC-built US M113. Academy's kit is the best of the current kits for a standard US M113A1.

Another vote for the Academy! As for extras, maybe tracks. The rubber ones are never great, and the indy link ones in that kit often seem to have sink mark issues on the track pads. And photoetche if that's your thing really improves the tie downs and headlight guards.

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Another vote for the Academy! As for extras, maybe tracks. The rubber ones are never great, and the indy link ones in that kit often seem to have sink mark issues on the track pads. And photoetche if that's your thing really improves the tie downs and headlight guards.

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Thank Simon. I've just built the interior so far. Please let me know your opions.


Thanks again.

Maybe this is slightly off topic but I think know it's better than a new thread;

What're the basic fixes one can do to a Tamiya or Academy hull? Bolts, stuff like that. I've got 8 kits waiting to be built and I'd like to enhance them all to one degree or another.

Seafoam green can be purchased from Mouse House in Australia in humbrol sized tins. this colour is a perfect colour match in enamel paints.

The big problem with Academy kits is that the bolt in fuel tank is way too big. Mouse Armour do a correct sized tank (MA301).

Austmouse out
www.mheaust.com.au

Did I also read some where that the Tamiya trim vane isn't the right size? Do you know anything about that?

Wonder how long before Meng or Takom bring out a new M113...

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Wonder how long before Meng or Takom bring out a new M113...

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Well, since I just purchased two of the Academy kits and the PE to go with them, along with AM tracks, I'd guess probably next week.