RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi,

Presenting my next project, an M-113A2 APC as seen in late 1980s. I know, I just built one recently, but I really like the M113. Besides, who does not have a few Shermans or Tigers at one point. As currently planned, the model will feature the following;

- Ludwigs M113 base kit with rear external fuel cells
- Verlinden M113 resin details to be transposed into the Ludwigs kit
- Detailed interior, including driver position
- Verlinden Tow missile launcher
- Verlinden road wheels, more about that later.
- Opening rear ramp
- Head lights and tail lights
- Home made motorization arrangement with HL control, unless I can get a Clark TK10.
- Metal tracks, sprockets and idlers

I have not finalized the plans for the markings but it will likely be a Canadian or Israeli.
3 sheets of the Ludwigs plasticard basic kit will be used, i did not need the others so Christian gave me a lower price.
During the M-113A1 ACAV build, I noticed how close the scale of the Ludwigs kit was compared to some of the Verlinden parts I was using, and suspected these 2 models were compatible. So, instead of scratch building most of the parts like I did for the M113A1 ACAV, I decided to purchase a Verlinden kit and see how I could use it. But instead of buying a very expensive and rare MIB kit, I saw this built model on ebay and was able to get it for $93. Sadly, the overseas seller did not pack it properly and this is the way it arrived. I did not care too much because I an planning to tear it apart anyway.
What I spent weeks scratch building for the ACAV will be readily available to transpose into the RC model. However, the interior of the M113 with Tow launcher is different so it will be modified.
Real glad I will not have to scratch built that turret again...
Positioning some of the redundant Ludwigs parts on the Verlinden model seems to show and confirm that they are fully compatible
Showing the Ludwigs model (left) next to the Verlinden (right)
Here are some of the specialized (and expensive) parts I purchased to help me with the build;

- Tank Modellbau M113 metal/rubber tracks, sprockets and idlers. The sprocket has 4mm shafts
- GPM HARD STEEL MAIN DRIVE SHAFT CVD TRAXXAS with 4mm shafts. Motors are on order and will need to figure out the mounting.
- Henntec Panther track adjuster
- AFV-Model MLRS head and tail lights (some)
Continuing on following post.

Regards, Louis

Continuing previous post

The suspension was provided by Christian and include Taigen Panther arms and sockets, with metal torsion blades.
For the road wheels, i purchased MK Modellbau M113 metal wheels but i had to return them. They did not fit my suspension arrangement and i had issues with size and overall look. I therefore had to go back to my original plan to use the Verlinden road wheels and adapt them to RC by installing a flanged bearing inside with a 4mm shaft to connect to the Taigen suspension. Although they are in resin, they are very strong and should work well.
After a first prototype, I am able to create working M113 roadwheels in basically minutes.
The Verlinden Tow Launcher will be used. Extra missiles will be scratch built from the original provided in the kit and stored inside the vehicle. I like going to war fully loaded.
I found a great web site to help me build the interior of the M113 with TOW missile launcher vehicle: it is

https://books.google.fr/books?id=4zAYAA ... 12&f=false

It is an operating manual for the TOW missile and contain extremely valuable graphs and details that should allow me to make an accurate and detailed interior

Some examples;
I have some key items still on order but I can start the build now. Summer vacations are coming soon so no rush.

The fun starts here.

Regards, Louis

Another education in model making courtesy of Louis.

I see your chosen a different approach for the drive components.

Barry

Hi,

Oh compared to you Barry, I am a little amateur.

BarryC wrote:I see your chosen a different approach for the drive components.

Yes, I will be experimenting with two motor/gearbox combination below. It has a planetary gearbox. The plan is to link these to a Traxxas drive shaft and a 4mm sprocket shaft solidly mounted on the front of the vehicle, I should technically be able to make the vehicle move. This arrangement will free up space for the interior of the driver compartment that I intent of showing. The sprocket of the M113 are mounted very much up front in a way that makes it difficult for a regular gearbox to be used. Besides, the Tank Modellbau M113 sprockets will not take a regular HL or similar gearbox, which is different from the Lugwigs sprocket used on the ACAV. The M113 is also very light, HL and similar gearbox are overkill.

Son of a gun-ner wrote:You do love an interior

Yes, it is my way to introduce more challenges, and learning more about each vehicle I build.

Regards, Louis

Hi,

The dismembering of the donor Verlinden kit has been done, it went quite well with the superglue snapping almost clean without breaking parts. The components are inventoried and being prepped for their future mounting on the Ludwigs basic kit. They will be used during dry fit while I am building the plasticard main hull and for rebirth as an RC M113.
The Verlinden parts are very detailed, looking good and the amount of time being saved is enormous compared to scratch building these. The risk level of the build is therefore reduced significantly and it opens the possibility for any modeller to build an RC M113, if you can find a cheap Verlinden M113, whether built or unbuilt.
All top parts will remain removable. Missing small items will be recreated in plasticard.
I was even able to salvage the stickers from the interior parts for repositioning them later.
All resin hinges will be redone so that doors and hatches can open and close. Most head lights will be replaced by working ones by AFV-Model components.
The transmission covers will be drilled so that the 4mm shaft can be used through flanged ball bearings. I was able to salvage the guards for the front lights, great.
This is what remain of the Verlinden M113. The original builder did a good job. I will likely cut the front plate for reuse on the Ludwigs chassis.
Next step is the construction of the Ludwigs hull.

Regards,

Louis

Hi,
This is the build up of the hull and suspension

These are the Ludwigs parts for the hull, no surprises here.
The M-113A2 build has started.
Flanged ball bearings with 4mm wide inner ring are installed on both hull interior and tip of the Verlinden transmission covers. A 4mm shaft will run from the sprocket to the drive shaft inside. It is critical to properly align both ball bearings so a lot of adjustment is required on the Verlinden resin cover to do that. The interior motor and gearbox setup will be a story for another time.
Taigen suspension sockets are installed. It looks easier than it was.
Verlinden roadwheels, Taigen suspension arms and Ludwigs torsion blades are installed.
This is how the sprockets will be installed on their 4mm shafts. I noticed that the metal tracks are quite wide. Road Wheels and sprocket need to be positioned just at the proper distance from the hull.
Hull sides added. Everything going according to plan
I will show on the next post the dry fitting of the Verlinden hull components on the Ludwigs chassis.

Louis

Now, the moment I had been waiting for throughout all the planning phase; the dry fitting of the Verlinden Hull on the Ludwigs chassis. I could not wait to see if this whole build will work out as planned. I assume you wondered as well.

I am glad to say that the integration is working. At this point, it is just dry fitting of the front and top and things look pretty good for a first dry fit without any work on the parts.
Things are not entirely perfect though, cannot ask for too much. It is already a miracle. The top part and right side will require the addition of a plasticard strip to make it strait and achieve a good fit.
While making sure that the Ludwigs components are totally square and strait, I can see the resin verlinden parts front part also need a plasticard strip to fill in a gap on the left side. That will be easily fixed.
Well, that is a load off. Now I know it will be a good looking M-113 and I can take a short break. Hard to believe where I am after a few hours of work. The experience of the ACAV build really helped but this one is a totally different integration.

Regards, Louis

This will be done by next week at this rate !!
You sure do make it look easy Mr cq11
Are the tracks going to be another test for you ?

HERMAN BIX wrote:Are the tracks going to be another test for you ?

Hi Herman, The German tracks have to be assembled but are of good quality, looks better than PZ III tracks for sure. From what I can see, these are not the US version, they are the German type used mostly in Nato armies, including Canada. They are easy to assemble, just need to apply some superglue to the connector, cut the extra rod and glue the rubber pads. It will take a while but nothing compared to the Diehl tracks of the Marder.

However, they are a bit wide for the Ludwig chassis. I will obviously need to make some adjustments by bringing the sprocket as close as possible to the hull. I do want to put the side skirts on this model so I will need to deal with that later. I may have to trim the connector a bit. The sprocket and idlers are superb.
Regards, Louis

HERMAN BIX wrote:This will be done by next week at this rate !!
You sure do make it look easy Mr cq11

He simply amazes me as well with the speed and quality of his builds!

Things are looking great Louis!

Barry