TongDe M-113 A.P.C. - Asking for any/all Ideas from those who also have one, or even just want one

[tankme]

Thanks tankme. Are those extra fuel tanks glued onto the base hull as supplied or on the sprues?

I don't have one, but it looks like he bought the TongDE A2 version and that the tanks are on it out of the box.

[Marc780]

...I would say if you are trying to make it a Vietnam era M113, you might want to ditch the external fuel tanks on the back. The M113A2 first introduced those and the A2 was developed after Vietnam ended. If it matters that is.

Thanks Tankme, I didn't know any of that! Probably should cut them off for authenticity but the tail lights are attached - at this point I think I'm leaving those fuel tanks alone. I'll probably wind up buying yet another one of these eventually, in a different configuration. Somebody's even offering an add-on weapon for the M113, a recoil-less rifle. It is non functional but looks kind of awesome, it costs $36

But for the next project I'm leaning towards buying either one of the M109 howitzers, or maybe an M60. What I'd really like to see is for them to come out with a T-55, or maybe even a T-62! I tried building the Hooben T-55, twice, and was never satisfied with the finished model i ended up with. I hope one day somebody decides to make them.

[jhamm]

Thanks tankme. Are those extra fuel tanks glued onto the base hull as supplied or on the sprues?

They mounted with three little countersunk screws on each side....

[tankme]

...I would say if you are trying to make it a Vietnam era M113, you might want to ditch the external fuel tanks on the back. The M113A2 first introduced those and the A2 was developed after Vietnam ended. If it matters that is.

Thanks Tankme, I didn't know any of that! Probably should cut them off for authenticity but the tail lights are attached - at this point I think I'm leaving those fuel tanks alone.

Yeah, they had to move the light mounts to the tops of the tanks when they switched over to them as the lights were bolted to the armor right where the tanks go.

[Marc780]

I found some interesting images of (real) M-113's that other people with an M-113 model, might find helpful references:

I'm pretty sure this is an M-113 in service with the South Vietnamese ARVN's. Notice the chain link fencing neatly mounted on the side (as a hopeful measure to detonate R.P.G. rockets before they hit the side armor).

A good shot of tracks and road wheels

Rear quarter view, showing an M-113 fitted with an M40 106mm recoil-less rifle.