I opened one of these today, truly an incredible value. Interior, variant parts (external tanks, gun tub and shield etc.) , 3 figures, stowage. Even had bottled water and glass bottles on a clear sprue. Considering theyre on ebay all day for ten bucks. I'd recomend them highly.

Yup, Academy's are still the best M113s on the market. Throw on some CIPs and some home made or pieced together Echelon 3ID OIF decals and you have a great OIF M113A2.

Thats cool to see! Ive got one coming in the post from ebay-Paid £4.99 for it. Now you've said this I cant wait to get my hands on it. Did you say they have auxilary fuel tanks?

Yep, the ones on the rear. And a very busy interior. Im going to say this is one of the best model values period! Natch, I'll be doing 3rd ID full length stowage racks in resin

I got their ACAV Viet Nam version and was equally impressed. Academy can and does make some truely excellent 35th scale armor on occasion

Does that one have the M60s with shields on the side?

Yup.

ah good that you mention this. I'd be looking for this kit the next time im in the LHS.

Just would like to know in terms of accuracy how it all comes together and if you encountered any grief on the way.

I built the Tamiya M113A2 and found it to be a relatively easy build but certainly not as good in terms of value for money based on the parts you described in the Academy kit.

Build up is about the same as the Tamiya kit. It is much more accurate though in the height of the sprocket and idler wheel, engine screens, etc. It is much nicer cast as well. The interior is great and is pretty complete and accurate. Definitely the best M113 on the market. Comes with both ind-link and rubber tracks too, your choice.

Are you by chance referring to kit number 1354???

Mike (++) (++)

Yup, that is the M113A2 kit.

If you click on my photos in my profile, I created an album "Academy M113A2" and uploaded pics of the contents

Hey, there werent any gunshields on units during the invasion were there?

Yes, some units had the commander's gunshield and armored surround. Most of them were in green too. Didn't see any of the M60 shields on back though.

Here's some from unknown units.




One from 11 ENG, 3ID (closest, M113 has shields).

The Academy M113s are really nice overall, specially the A2 variant, which has the Dragon launcher for 80s ACAVs. Think of them as the model the 70s vintage Tamiya ones grew up to be.

The Vietnam one has a few issues, like the oversized T-50 turret and -A2 engine, but it does have the flotation pod for the trim vane that Tamiya left off their ACAV.

Interiors are way better than Tamiya, down to the hanging straps from the troop compartment roof. Still no pulley for the ramp cable though.

G'day everyone,
Nice kit, but the T50 turret is not so good. With a bit of work it comes up ok. And it is hollow!!!!
Cheers Jason

I totally agree, it's quite a kit. All of them are, the Vietnam version, the IDF Zelda, and the modern one.

The Viet Nam era kit includes the Korean heart-shaped gunshields, the Aussie T50 turret (not so great) , a flamethrower turret, the US Acav Shields, and I believe markings for US, ARVN, Korean, and Aussie vehicles.

The IDF Zelda incoudes parts for the spaced armor Zelda and a command vehicle.

The modern kit has the rear fuel tanks (but does not change the interior layout) and the dragon launcher alongside the 50 cal as options.

The basic kits also include seperate interior light pieces, iirc, Tamiya did not, rear bilge pump outlet, and better drivers sidewall details. Though some of these are the same as the later version kits and are suspect for the Viet Nam verison. And I think (I'm away from my stash) all three contain both link to link and rubber band tracks.

Maple Leaf Models and Eduard make aftermarket ramp pulleys, but it's not too tough to scratch up a convincing one.

The main downside for the ramp are the giant ejector pin marks in the ramp.

Dear All
I have been busy with the Tamiya m133 Acav
and i receive from Frenchy the engine from an Academy kit the Nam version
even with only one sprue to compare acadmy si more valuable.

BTW Jason
very nice turret, i hope to see it complete
cheers
seb

Here you go seb. Taken just before the final weathering stage when it looked sort of new and pretty.
To see this pic a lot bigger, have a look in my gallery.
Cheers Jason

very nice work Jason!

You can also add Eduard PE to all of the Academy M-113's and this helps address some of the over scale parts, such as the straps, the radio shelves and also provides the small "winch" for the ramp. All in all you can build some really nice kits from these, and they also serve for any conversions yuou may want to do.

Regards from the Swamp

Hawkeye

Jason
8 minutes to finish it and paint it :-) :-)
that is really fast

Really nice piece of work
Cheers
Seb

Hi Gino

Are the tracks on this m113 kit still used in Iraq or do you need to get AM ones.

Thanks
paul

gotta love em

great extras included!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

reb