RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Louis it looks spectacular. The brass guards and plasticard mounts are quite nice. As usual you have overcome the hurdles of these kits and continue to amaze us

Hi,

I was not happy with the headlamps base so I refined them (in situ) with a blade to make them closer to scale and realism. Added a Meng nut under each like I saw in pictures.
Also built the 2 hooks of the front plate. They are made of 2mm brass rod, crushed and filed, with Meng nuts. Look ok but they could have been a bit ticker.
I long debated as to which orientation to put the 4 nuts holes on this front plate hatch (+ or X or something in between). This hatch seems to rotate somehow because I saw variations in pictures.
Regards, Louis

This is amazing work here... I'm still wondering why nobody like Tamiya or Heng long has thought to put out a 1/16" model of this? Seems like it would be a cinch to design, boxy shape plus a cavernous interior ready to be stuffed with motors and all the rest. Of course the first thing I'd do with it, would be a quicky waterproof job then into the water...

Great job on the lights. I ran across this the other day...

http://tw-modelltechnik.eshop.t-online. ... gory1/M113

He has the front and rear lights for the M113.

That is just fantastic... Cant wait to see it finished

Taking shape nicely.

tankme wrote:Great job on the lights. I ran across this the other day...

http://tw-modelltechnik.eshop.t-online. ... gory1/M113

He has the front and rear lights for the M113.

Thanks, I wish I had seen this 1 months ago... I am sure others will benefit from the tip. Now, if someone know of an M-113 cupola available on the market, this is the time to mention it...

Louis I do like how you remodeled the headlights. Keep up the great work

Could you not get it 3d printed by someone?

Hi,

Presenting the M-113 trim vane.

This is a highly visible and important moving part of the model, it should not be neglected. The trim vane is made of plywood in real life, with metal plate re-enforcements on top and bottom. Ludwigs is providing the sheet for the main part and the arm, everything else was scratch built.
Careful study of the M-113 is required to try to reproduce the complex double hinge system as best as possible. I spent maybe 6 hours on the trim vane. But someone really meticulous who wants to make it all working like the real thing would need to spend a lot more. Standard micro hinges were used. Meng nuts are a must for the look and were positioned according to references.
Of course, the time vane was made functional, the best I could. Well, actually the best I could with the time I was willing to spend on it.
The handle for the engine hood as added and must be made to fit exactly in the slot of the trim vane when closed.
That little notch for the headlights guard is important and exists in real life. I redid the metal re-enforcements on both sides of the vane using a thinner plasticard than the kit provided for the front face. The notch was relocated correctly at the same time according to my headlight guard position.
The only area left to design is the attachment of the arm with the trim vane. Still not sure about it. The M-113 has a complex mechanism that is almost impossible to recreate using simple tools so I will need to simplify into some kind of hook when I will leave the time vane lowered. The underside does not show much unless you permanently leave it lowered.
Regards, Louis