Tongde M113A1 - Australian Army Vietnam 1966

[Kaczor]

Great progress. The near-simultaneous release of RC and static kits is a blessing. I plan to do the same with Chaffee in the future, once the Gecko kit is released

[Estnische]

Thanks gents!

I plan to do the same with Chaffee in the future, once the Gecko kit is released

I love these conversions. I've got both Tiger and T34/76 kits stashed away for similar projects.

[Estnische]

Time to add details to the top plate. I was expecting that the details of the AHHQ were authentic and could be glued into place, starting with the engine vents and exhaust. But when the modern photo on the left was my clearest exhaust reference, I was worried. Not to fear, the historic image on the right shows the curved style provided by AHHQ.



When I came to attach the outlet, I then realised that the AHHQ exhaust is not hollow. I have deliberately kept the smoker function, so it needed to be open. I considered reverting to the hollow TD one on the right, but it’s awful. I drilled both ends of the AHHQ one out until they met and made a brass spigot to mount it. I also did some drilling to align the non-aligning apertures of the various layers.



And here it is altogether. Then I looked at Louis’ build and realised I made the mistake with the mesh he warned against – the mesh is supposed to go underneath the pipe flange.



Then I had to scratch build the details surrounding the Aussie air filter box. It took a lot of trawling to find enough details of the box. For all of the photos of Vietnam M113s, very few show these details. It was so hot and steamy in Vietnam, the top hatch was rarely closed when cameras were taking shots. These are the best ones I could find.



This image shows the divider for each half, and the bump-stops and a version of the blower vent.



I began by test-fitting the hatch. I wasn’t confident that the stock plastic hinge would stand up to the load of the extra work I would place on them, so I drilled them out and used brass tubing.



Then I built a filter box from plasticard layers and brass angle.



Next came the internal blower. There are various designs – here is a modern version from around 2000.



I used old pens to donate similar shapes. The latch chain had to be heated and reshaped to match the support it would get from the blower.



Next came the bump-stops, and I had a very ‘forest-for-the-trees’ moment. I’d made a decent set of brackets in brass, lined them up and attached them to the hull, then realised the lower brackets are attached to the rear plate and the top plate at the same time – locking them together. I resorted to a slightly modified shape.



Here is everything with the Aussie version of the bump-stops.

[Stormbringer]

Excellent work your doing on this

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Now you are into even more mind-boggling replication of subtle details! I look at photos and don't even notice such fine points. Hence, I am a member of Make Modeling Mediocre Again, and you are a wizard.

[ColemanCollector]

That blower vent is like a model kit all on its own. Stunning!

Mike.

[Estnische]

You are all too kind, thank you.

If you look closely enough, you will see/realise things that can be improved. Nevertheless, I'm weighing up whether to include them if the right solution springs to mind. I've ordered a new book that seems to have some carefully curated images of areas not normally visible - Military Briefs Vol.8 Australian M113a1s in South Vietnam.