Evening All!

Currently have both the AFV Club M113A1 FSV (MRV) and the old Tamiya M113A1 FSV on the bench and have noticed something not mentioned in any of the reviews of the Academy M113A1 (the AFV Club kit uses the Academy hull and drivetrain).

The torsion bar arms on the Academy kit are symmetrical, whilst those on the old "passe" Tamiya kit are asymmetrical. My basic understanding of torsion suspension is that the torsion bars must be offset to operate correctly as they run the full width of the hull. Am I way off the mark

Thanks in advance,
Adrian

You are correct. Torsion bar suspension requires one side to have the road wheel arms staggered since the bar go from one side to the other. The ends of each torsion bar are knurled so they fit into splines on each end and do not twist under the pressure of the road wheel arm pivoting up and down.

Thanks for the fast response Robin!

So my guess was correct - does that mean the old Tamiya kits have a more accurate suspension or are there other faults?

Regards,
Adrian

The torsion bar offset may be more correct but the Academy hull is better at least for an A2 since it has the additional shock absorber. The bolt holes on the Academy hull are a nice touch plus the separate roadwheel arms look better than the molded on ones for the Tamiya hull

Paul