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.

[Marc780]

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....

Thanks actually did not know that -

[Marc780]

I'm almost finished with this tank as it is probably as good as I will ever make it.

I made another pass with the yellow olive green to highlight details and had to glue back on the .50 cal machine gun mount with JB Weld. It is not pretty but it probably won't break off again.

I'm thinking my next project will be the TD M-60.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Marc780: before I saw your note about the Vietnam era M113, I bought the metal upgraded M113A3; that is, the one with the armored fuel tanks and the unarmored .50 cal. I have three books about the M113 coming from Doyle Books () and I am hoping that there might be a UN Version of the M113A3. I also noted your use of Vallejo "Yellow Olive" a version of OD of which I was unaware. Thank you!

Yellow Olive FS34083
Vallejo Model Air Yellow Olive 71.013
Vallejo Model Color Yellow Oliver 70.892

[Marc780]

Marc780:...I also noted your use of Vallejo "Yellow Olive" a version of OD of which I was unaware. Thank you!

Yellow Olive FS34083
Vallejo Model Air Yellow Olive 71.013
Vallejo Model Color Yellow Oliver 70.892

Sure NP
That "yellow olive" shade helps to bring a solid green model to life! The only problem with it is, it is very easy to over-do it. But it is one of the few colors that make a solid green vehicle (i.e. just about every Soviet/Russian tank model i ever saw, and most American tanks) more interesting to look at.

BTW I saw a hobby web page today on "The Modelling news.com" about this same topic, the subject being a Takom 1/35 scale model of an M-114 APC. That's not a typo, the US Army made another APC, one that is slightly different from the M-113, but that they designate as the M-114.
The interesting thing was how the model-maker painted and weathered it. He uses yellow-green, especially on the deck portion. But he also he uses a Tamiya color I never heard of before, called "XF-76 Grey-Green" that OP says he used as a "post-shade". I'm not sure what he meant by that, some technique or something, but such a color seems tailor-made for armored vehicles.

https://www.themodellingnews.com/2022/0 ... ering.html


This A.P.C. is painted how I want my M-113 to look like. Oh well, maybe next time!

[HvyCgn9]

I was thinking of getting one of the versions with the Scorpion turret but after peoples opinions on getting the full metal version or the basic version? and my other question for those that have them How is their performance?

Cheers Bruce