M-113 ramp, up or down?

Well, did you build the interior? IN that case, leave it open!

I left the engine out. I'm not doing any detailing to the interior, just decals and seat pads for the bench. I figure the open hatches will be enough to see that

Well,...if that's good enough for you, then go with that. I mean, if it were me, and I had spent the time at least assembling and painting the interior, I'd want to show it off, but if you left the engine out of it and didn't bother there, then it sounds like you're just looking for a basic model to display without any frills. In the case, might as well just close it up.

For a "ready for action" setting, it doesn't matter that much if the engine is visible or not. If it's to be depicted in motion or ready to move, then a closed ramp would be appropriate. If displayed with troops dismounting, or ready to mount up, then the obvious choice would be ramp down.

One thing that seems to be often overlooked on M113 models with the ramp down is the ramp actuator mechanism, which isn't provided in the kits.

If the kit has a seperate troop door for the ramp, why not have that open with the ramp up? A nice comprimise between ramp up, but still leaving a different viewing angle of the work you did in the troop compartment. The 113 ramp had pretty simple mechanisms-  two hooks at the top to keep it shut, and a single cable on the right side attached to the lower right portion of the ramp for raising and lowering, the comes out from under the floor plates. It was always fun when the hydraulic pump for that system went out and you had to physically raise and lower the ramp...

I'm making the same decision now, ramp up or down.  It's an IDF fitters' rig, Academy kit, and the interior is basic to be kind. I didn't add much, but I'm going to display it in a situation where an open ramp would be appropriate. I've added enough inside so that it doesn't look naked, but it's not contest-quality by any means. I also closed up the engine compartment.

that counts for your PT for that day, that dang thing was heavy.

tellis

that counts for your PT for that day, that dang thing was heavy.

So how many people did it take to close one manually? There might be a dio idea in there......

At LEAST two,  one on each side, but a third and/or fourth would make it an easier task.

Thanks!

Still deciding......

This:

Or this:

My interior is not that great, and I like the white door or white stripe up the back side, so I'm leaning towards closing the door at this point, which means the outside of the ramp will need some work. Oh well.

I still say ramp up, door open. Although yu would have to alter the position of the door latch facing down and make an inner latch handle as well. But seriously, as busy as that kit looks I think your interior is gonna be fine.

I agree with stik. With the troop door open, especially if the hatch is open too, it will show off the interior very well

Decisions, decisions.......lots of good ideas. I think that the ramp position or ramp hatch opened/closed should be used to indicate what your track is doing at the time......if it is 'unassing' troops quickly, then you want that ramp down pronto.  If you are depicting one guy getting out to confer with the crew of an immobile vehicle then you may want to go with the hatch open: More protection for anyone still inside the track while the vehicle is halted.

Depending on the SOPs of the unit, the guy getting out from the MG mount, the TC (track/tank commander), would most likely come out of the hatch, walk down the front of the vehicle and hop off at one of the corners.  Believe it or not, it's a lot easier to do than to drop down in the TC's hatch, climb over a bunch of gear and then work your way through that ramp hatch....

Bottom line: the hatches and ramps should "tell" a story, by setting the level of activity and threat level in the area......just some ideas from an old grunt.....

Good luck on your project!

Gentlemen, thanks for all the input. I'm taking a short break from this one while I wait for the Spade Ace tracks to show up, and have time to ponder the setting. I plan to display this one with the Magach 6MEM I just finished, and am still undecided on the exact scenario.

Changing the position of the rear door latch handle is not too bad, probably easier than scratching all the latch mechanism for the ramp, and the raising apparatus, neither of which do I have good pics of.

Depending on inclement weather, we would have the ramp down for air circulation and also for quick packing on a command to pack it up and get the hell out of here.Of course, I am talking about an M577

that was to lead the column to our destination. I'm sure that the boys in the M113 had their own logic for their being up or down. Sorry that I could not give you anymore than that, of course it would also depend on depend on whether they are used in firing batteries or headquarters battalions.

On the way over

Earl

Never had to close one myself (meaning my crew), how many does it take More than 2 thats for sure.

On the way over,

Earl

The ramp open definitely gives it more realism and shows off the work you put into it. I like it!! On the way, over.

Earl

I agree with you Dave,

I was in the M577 and getting down and through everything and the section personal takes a longer period of time to get out the rear door. One problem though, getting out of the commanders hatch and stepping on the extra track pieces was downright dangerous in freezing weather. I know, it happened to me, hurts like a son of a b---- and does a pretty good job of teaching the hard way to be a little more cautious.

On the way, over

Earl

You got that right, Earl.  I did a couple of face plants as well hoping out of the TCs hatch and walking down the front across the trim vane.  Also loved riding across Germany in the back of a 577 while pulling my time as an operations staff 'puke.'  We'd have field tables, folding chairs, map boards, battle tracking boards, boxes of MREs, water cans, portable lights, office supplies, AND our own personal gear.  Our TC's pedestal was missing from our S-3 track so it was a major accomplishment to hop from the troop bench, grab onto the edges of the TC's hatch and pull your way up towards sunlight....kinda reminds me of Indiana Jones trying to escape from the buried city of the dead in the first movie.......LOL

I like that Dave, I see that you also experienced the furniture truck packing experience. When I think back on it, I wonder how we ever got a round off without hurting ourselves working on the chart board, reaching for radio chords, sitting on C ration boxes, ducking when someone knocked a helmet off the radio rack.

And of course, the roof was not all that much better with camouflage nets, tubular steel and pipe sections that pulled out to be covered with canvas, couple of metal folding chairs, etc. FDC in a firing battery was always interesting and I would not give up the memories for any reason. The M577 still beat the M113, we did not have to worry about getting a concussion from banging our heads on the low roof or working hunched over.

LOL!!! Good to hear some of the 'track' experiences....takes me way back!

Good memories, that's why I want to start on mine as soon as possible.

All good info, gentleman. I'm still plugging along on mine, one run of tracks done and still undecided about the ramp position. I guess it'll depend on what kind of pics I scare up and on how I eventually decide on displaying this model. It's planned for a dio with the Magach-6MEM I finished recently, but no real ideas yet.