Does anyone have an M113 interior from the Tamiya kit (or any kit)? I'm recycling my old motorized M113A1, and would like to build it as a garden variety M113A1. Doug Fluke sent me a Strip-A-Kit sample and I'm peeling off old paint like you wouldn't believe.

This kit was an old sandbox crawler that dodged the great BB gun and fire war of the late 70's early 80's. I'd like to see if I can't get it to look like they were supposed to when built.

BTW, how is the Italeri M113 kit? I have one that I picked up as a bag kit and am wondering how it builds/looks.
TIA

Rob--I believe I have an M-113 in the spare parts box. PM me with an address and I will send what I have to you.
DJ

Rob--found the interior and a good bit of the exterior. Mailed it to you this morning. Let me know when it arrives and if it suits your purpose.
DJ :-)

Rob,
If you need any more parts, I might have some in my spares box. Let me know when you recieves DJ's parts.
I would stay away from the Iterlari kit. Its ok, but Tamiya's and Academy's is better.

The Italeri kit I got cost like $5 at a swap, it looked a little more fiddly than the Tamiya kit which still builds into a solid likeness.

Just did an inventory of the remnants of the kits, most of the parts missing are the "D" sprue (gray one with interior parts) and the drive sprockets. "D" parts missing are 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,15,23,24,26,37,38,43,46,47,48,49 and the "A" sprue parts 21 and 22 (drive sprockets 2 of each).

I guess this is what happens if you park it on the wrong side of the work bench.

Rob--now you got me worried. I hope I sent you what you need. I found a buit M-113 with some Israeli add on parts in the scrap yard box and mailed the built kit to you. The top comes off and the road wheels and other parts look like they are in good shape. I now think you were seeking a fret with the parts. Hope I did not screw you up.
DJ

Don't worry DJ, all you can do is help. I've started going through the parts boxes and have been finding old M113 bits and pieces everywhere (also the variants). Hard to believe that I had as many Tamiya M113 variants as I did. Well, I guess it was the only game in town back in the day.

I never did pick up an Academy M113. I hear it's the best of the bunch, but I held off buying Academy kits for quite a while since their early kits were poor Tamiya knock-offs. I know they no longer do it, but I still reach for another manufacturer when there is a choice just because of their past history. Same deal with Trumpeter, I have enough Tamiya and DML M1s to last me until the next ice age so I won't buy one of theirs until their copying habits are ancient history.

Rob
I just noticed your post. If you still need parts I have some from a Revell M113 kit to include:
Floor, engine compartment walls(one wall has the heater molded in) , Fuel tank, Battery Box, driver & commander's seat, crew seats. I used the control levers on another project.
If you need any or all of the parts e-mail me and I will get them off to you.
Chuck
[email protected]

Thanks for the offer Chuck, I'll let you know after DJ's stuff arrives. It will be interesting to see if I can get this old sandbox crawler back into the model category.

DJ's M113 came today. Thanks DJ! Once I do some BDAR (battle damage assessment and repair) I will take count of what I can use. It actually looks like everthing I need is here. I plan on doing a plain Jane Vietnam era Pappa Chuck so I won't need to get too sexy with it.

Rob--I am hitting the commissary tomorrow for some Easy-Off non fume. I will soak down the T-34 and delouse it Sunday. Pictures to follow.
DJ

OK guys, BDAR completed and after cannabilizing DJ's kit, the interior parts required are rather minor. The parts I now need are D47 (right side troop seat support), D48 (left side troop seat cushion), and D49 (right side troop seat cushion). Also missing is the fire extinguisher, part # D37, but I can did up a suitable part somewhere. I also should be able to fabricate the troop seat parts with flat styrene sheet.

Again, thanks DJ, your donation is greatly appreciated.

Rob---glad to hear it helped. Where are you folks getting the divisonal patches?
DJ

I snatched mine from the 1st Cav webpage, right click on the picture, save it and then upload to a place you can reference it. I tried the PERSCOM page, but the patch shows up as really big, had to tweak one to get it small.

Here's where I got mine DJ:

http://www.bayonet.net/clip_art/index_graphics.html

Lots of great clips!

The paint stripping is going along nicely. The Strip-A-Kit is having a little trouble DJ's parts. Not sure if there are acrylic paints in the mix or the multiple coats that's slowing the stuff down. The smaller interior parts (floor, hatch handles, laterals, etc.) were put in a Zip-Lock bag and sprayed with Easy-Off (fume free). That is working just as good as it always has.

So if you are looking for a paint stripper, the S-A-K uses a soft bristle brush, apply generously and then rinse off with water and an old toothbrush after 15-30 minutes. Repeat as necessary.

On the other hand, place the parts in the appropriate sized Zip-Lock bag, spray the Easy-Off on the parts, juggling them around to make sure they all get covered with the oven cleaner, seal the bag overnight, and rinse off with an old toohbrush and tap water.

My non-scientific experiment shows that I get better results with the Easy-Off, plus it's a common household product and it comes in a fume-free version. The S-A-K was given to me as a sample, the Easy-Off cost me $3.50 for a can that will last me until I leave here in 3 yrs, and I can use it to clean the gas grill as well as the wife doing the oven cleaning bit.

Just thought I "d pass this along I just finished an academy 113 fitter.
This track is an recovery vechile but the extra parts inclued in the kit,
convert it to a later mod. 113 The interior is quite complete ,right down to the 350 power plant .