M-113A1 Medium Recon Vehicle - Australian Army 1980s - build

[BarryC]

But wouldn’t they be upside down in Australia and not leak out?

True, but they leak upwards !!

[lmcq11]

Will there be any holes drilled for the sound to escape?

Yes, the solution is sideways through the back so that they do not show. The fuel tank is not directly glued against the wall. But the idea is for the sound to be contained as well like if it was in its engine room. I personally prefer that my tanks not be too loud.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Before completing the interior, i had to create the rear ramp with the opening mechanism at the front. The MRV had a standard M113 ramp and mud guards. Notice the cylinder on the right of the ramp. This amphibious apparatus contains a field phone, a weird design.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Ludwig does not provide much for the ramp, only this thin outer section and some hinges. This part is too wide and need to be reduced by 3mm on both sides. The rest of the ramp need to be completely scratch build but there is a residual plasticard section that is used on the door.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

An additional plasticard of at least 1mm need to be glued at the back of the provided part to give the ramp the required thickness.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The small door need special attention as it needs to be working, with hinges and closing latch.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Parts provided for the rear mud guards

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The installed ramp and mud guards, all finetuned according to reference pictures. It does not show much but there is a lot of little details on it.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The tow hook is a Dioramapart M48 hook that was trimmed to look smaller.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The latch is easily made in 10 minutes with a brass strip of the right width, a metal file to shape it, and an M1 bolt with washer to install.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

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Opening the small door is an important feature of the ramp. The hinges need to be installed correctly so that the door opens strait.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

More views of the ramp

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The ramp is opening using a push rod (actually a Heng Long receiver antenna) inside a brass tube traversing the crew compartment, all the way to a servo at the front the vehicle.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

A knupfer M1 hook is solidly installed on the ramp and connected to the push rod, in similar fashion as the real M113. On a previous M113 build, i attempted in putting the push rod under the floor but it was a failure due to the limited room under the floor. The rod was interfering with the suspension blades and there was too much friction because the tube had too many twists.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

A medium size servo is installed at the very tip of the vehicle, in front of the driver position and with the push rod running under the driverès seat. It should not show much. I tried a micro servo earlier but it was too weak and did not have enough arm length to fully open the ramp.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The angled, ready ammo rack on the left of the turret contains 12 ammo rounds

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

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Design of the ammo rack

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Although i need only 2 shelf layers with the holes for the shell, i made 3 then selected the best 2. A third shelf at the bottom only need to fit the ammo round tip.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The angled ammo rack is temporarily in place. It will be given a full load of ammo.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Overview of the vehicle. After installation of the tail lights, i will be able to finish the interior.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Regards, Louis

[PainlessWolf]

Good afternoon,
Beautiful work, Louis, as always! A treat for the eyes this Holiday Season!
Merry Christmas!
Painless

[lmcq11]

Thanks you and Merry Christmas to you Painless, Barry and to everyone

Merry Christmas

[Jimster]

This build thread is fun to follow and I’m learning how quality modeling should look. Merry Christmas!

[lmcq11]

This build thread is fun to follow and I’m learning how quality modeling should look. Merry Christmas!

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you as well.

As you can see, my style is a fast build, usually 2-3 months per model so that I can focus on getting it done without getting tired of it, or interest moving elsewhere . I am using only basic tools like a hobby knife, metal rule, calculator, Dremel, plyers, a few metal files, 100 180 and 240 grain nail files from Amazon, a small drill with regular and micro bits, Dollar store superglue tubes, Meng nuts... Also need a good reserve of plasticard plates, brass strips, tubes, rods, bolts, washers and nuts of all sizes so that I do not have to stop the build and wait for material.

I feel my skills are constantly improving. I do not think everything needs to be 3D printed. Most items can be easily built with plasticard sheet and brass strips with great quality in limited time and effort. I have grown very suspicious of3D parts on the market unless expensive fine plastic and latest printers are used.

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,
Continuing with the build.

The tail lights are Mato Sherman tail light which had their mounting removed

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The strange cylinder is a field phone box, although i wonder if the design was successful.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

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Field phone holder box, tail lights and guards are installed

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The jerrycan holders were built in brass, designed to fit SOL model jerrycans.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

One for the rear panel, and one on each side of the rear turret bin

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The rear panel is almost finished, still missing a few small items.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Continuing on following post.

[lmcq11]

Presenting the interior, done on a best effort basis in order to provide something interesting to look at when the rear ramp is open.

Two interior lights were scratchbuilt, this time using 5mm LEDs. I found that 3mm LED are not powerful enough.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

The finished interior lights

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Here you can see the driver compartment. The light on the rear vehicle is installed on the roof but because this roof is removable, i did not want any loose electrical wires attached to it. The purpose of the large square box is unknown but there is a wire that will run to the turret base so i assume it could be related to comm. The vehicle radio is inside the turret.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

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The dials for the console will be added after painting.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

View of the left panel from above. Notice the angle on the driver seat mount, this is no mistake.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

View from above of the right driver panel and engine bulkhead.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Shapeways COM box and speaker are used. Black communication wiring will be installed after painting.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Close up of the 76mm ready ammo rack on the left side. It is installed at a specific angle towards the turret basket. The space under it was useful to hide many electrical lighting connections.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

Overview of the left side of the crew compartment.

M-113 M113 M-113A1 MRV 1/16 RC Scorpion Turret Australian Army build

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Continuing on following post