M-113A1 ACAV APC - Vietnam - Build

[c.rainford73]

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

[lmcq11]

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.

M113 headlamps

M113 headlamps

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.

M113 headlamps

M113 headlamps

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.

Ludwigs M113

Regards, Louis

[Marc780]

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...

[tankme]

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.

[Soeren]

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

[Ad Lav]

Taking shape nicely.

[lmcq11]

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...

[c.rainford73]

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

[Ad Lav]

Could you not get it 3d printed by someone?

[lmcq11]

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.

M-113 trim vane

M-113 trim vane

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.

M-113 trim vane

M-113 trim vane

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.

M-113 trim vane

The handle for the engine hood as added and must be made to fit exactly in the slot of the trim vane when closed.

M-113 trim vane

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.

M-113 trim vane

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.

M-113 trim vane

Regards, Louis