I'm wanting to build a German Army version of the M113, but I can't find a correct looking machine gun mount for the MG1, in place of the standard .50 cal M2 Browning MG.

I got happy when I purchased the Italeri M113 kit since it "included" the parts for the German version... Beyond disappointed when inspecting the kit parts since the mount was very cartoonish looking.

I know that the German did have M113s with the M2 heavy MG, but I never saw one during my time over there back in 1980 to 1983. I "think" that was more the case from the late 50s to the 70s when they were still using plenty of M48 tanks.

Also, did the Germans use smoke grenade launchers on their M113s back in the early/mid 80s and were they using the American style of tracks as well during that time period or were they using their own version of the M113 track?

Thanks for looking!

Hi!
You will find your answers at primeportal:

http://www.primeportal.net/apc/dieter_krause/m113_a2_g/

Here you will find usefull parts:

https://www.mrmodellbau.com/_shop/product_info.php?products_id=80&MODsid=e56218ec60a9332735f27db2d920bba5

You see, the smoke dischargers (Wegmann type) are placed behind the trim vane. Also the lamps and lamp guards are different from other nations.

In the 80s, the German army did use a German track.You can get this one in vinyl from AFV club AF 35066.

There had been working tracks from plastic which were produced by HKCF however these were difficult and time consuming to build up and I am not aware if these are still on offer. I might have a spare set which I never did build.

Andreas

AFV Club also offered the German type track as individual plastic links. But hard to find these days.

MR Modellbau have several products for German M113s

Give them a try,
http://www.perfect-scale.de/de/www-perfect-scale-de-9/MG-3.html

http://www.perfect-scale.de/de/www-perfect-scale-de-9/MG-3--Tool-2017-.html