RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Well my desert jeep is finish, so maybe I CAN complete things. Should I complete one of my existing tank projects? Nah – let’s start something else! So here goes, an Aussie M113A1 using the new Tongde RC model. Specifically, I’m working towards a Vietnam War M113. Prior to the Centurions arriving in theatre, the brand new M113s filled the role of armoured support for the Australian Army between 1965 and 1968.

With so many versions available, it was time to do some research. There are a few peculiarities with the Aussie versions of the M113s - for instance, the side M60s on the TD and AHHQ models were rarely used by the Australian Army. Australia went with the GM diesel engine option from the outset, as it provided longer range, better low speed operation, and lessened the fire risk inside the vehicle. The track guards were discarded very early on following Vietnam field experience. Even the Commander’s 50 cal shield was a local concoction as Australia’s purchase of the M113s pre-dated the factory-issued shield.



Additionally, Australian pre-purchase trials of the M113 noted that there was a lack of ventilation in the passenger compartment when closed down. A modification was made by FMC to provide a filter box on the top cargo hatch, and a blower unit which forced air into the passenger compartment.



The filter was accessed from outside the vehicle, and the extra weight was compensated for by the provision of a torsion bar on the hinge mechanism. As a result, the rear hull top of the Australian vehicle was different from the typical US vehicle, including repositioning of the external ventilation dome and larger bump stops for the cargo hatch due to the size of the filter box.



The Australians also tended to used their own ADF jerry cans and holders. As with all Australian Army vehicles, they were repainted Australian Olive Drab.



The Battle of Long Tan in August 1966 was undoubtedly the finest combat moment of the Australian troops in Vietnam. Australia was responsible for the Phuoc Tuy province in South Vietnam, which included the Long Tan rubber plantation. The Australian base at Nui Dat was attacked by mortar fire calculated to have come from near the plantation. D company of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, numbered 108 men. They went out on foot to patrol the plantation, when they arrived they were ambushed by a much larger VC and NVA force conservatively estimated to be 1000.

At first D company encountered small numbers who initially fled and the company commander sent a section after them. Then the full force came back at them and they took up defensive positions and a full-scale battle commenced. As the situation got worse they radioed for help, which arrived in the form of bombardments by USAF Phantom jets and the New Zealand artillery. With darkness approaching and running low on ammunition, they requested resupply and reinforcement, but senior officers hesitated to do anything decisive, fearing an attack on Nui Dat itself. RAAF pilots Bob Grandin and Bruce Lane took it on themselves to do a resupply. Unable to land safely, they tipped boxes of ammunition out the side of the Huey.



The battle raged on and the Australians were surrounded on three sides and had nearly exhausted all of their ammunition again. D Company were on the point of annihilation when ten Australian M113s arrived like the fire brigade, carrying A company. Unaware of the location of either side, the APCs swept line abreast through the plantation in the dark and under cover of a tropical rain storm until they surprised a flanking force of the enemy. They were dealt with and they remounted and continued until they met the main force. Later B company also arrived on foot, and after an extended firefight that included more support by the New Zealand artillery, the enemy then staged a tactical withdrawal.

Once a defensive perimeter was set up, the M113s then became ambulances, picking up the dead and wounded. The rear floors were swimming in rain water and blood. They also set up a protective perimeter around a helicopter landing zone to allow safe dust-off for the seriously wounded. The Hueys were guided in the dark by the M113s opening their top hatch and switching on the internal lights.

The ‘battle’ had only lasted 24 hours, but the Australian losses were 18 men dead, while officially claiming 245 North Vietnamese killed. The M113 crews reported there were more than that as they kept finding bodies during patrols in the weeks that followed. Finding the results incredible, commander of the US forces General Westmoreland immediately flew to the scene to inspect it personally.

One of the dead was Cpl Peter Clements, commander of M113 Call sign 23A, who was mortally wounded. He and another commander who was wounded had M113s that did not have gun shields. These events are depicted in the Australian movie Danger Close, starring Travis Fimmel.

Good Evening!
Estnische, I'll be following this one closely. Looks like a lot of useful stuff available to guide you on the Build.
regards,
Painless

As will I Sir, this is a very poignant episode in the ANZAC folklore

Thank you, Estnische, for the interesting (and sad) story of Long Tan. The M113 just became available in the U.S. through Toucan Hobby (albeit to be shipped from China). I was on it like flies on a cow's behind. So I will be watching and learning from you.