M-113 group build:dec 15,07 to dec 15,08

 Really taking shape Stick Pusher!  I like the way your bringing her together!

I agree those AFV tracks give you the best bang for your buck! The track shoes are better too not perfect but at least aren't squares.

 Well let me see this is pretty boring but very time consuming. I finished step 1 now step 2 is mostly putting on more cables. This is maddening as there are lots and lots!

Now The resin parts are not numbered so you have to do your best to match them to the parts diagram. When I do I have been writing the number on my table paper an placing the part above it. ( dont sneeze) Cant tell you how hard that was. Like a blooming puzzle!

 Still have 2 extra not listed on the diagram. Hmmmmm guess I will have to search and see where they go? One thing they got right is in real life when a cable went bad it had to be routed an exact way otherwise it either would not reach or would catch or drag. Spent many many hours figuring those routes out.

Now the cables are resin and simply don't  lay atop each other but are intertwined as on the real thing. Should be fun. Need about 12 tiny hands looks like. I'll sleep now and hit it again tommorrow!

The cable manuel was Bible thick and had equipment called a Stay-ICE to test it that would fill a pick-up truck bed. It was like trying to decifer codes one test reading at a time. WOW don't miss that. To cheat the 24M mechanics could sometimes use a simple multimeter with extended wires and just do a continuity check.

Not for this build,I don't think I have the time,but do you guys have any suggestions for which kit in 1/35 that I can use to make a M-113 or varient in UN colors and markings ? Does such a kit exist or would I have to kitbash or buy seperate markings and after market products ?

Thanks for any info

Academy's KIFV is a 113 based variant that would do nicely. It comes with UN markings as well. Or most any basic 113 kit will do, Tamiya, Academy, or Italeri.

stikpusher wrote:

Academy's KIFV is a 113 based variant that would do nicely. It comes with UN markings as well. Or most any basic 113 kit will do, Tamiya, Academy, or Italeri.

Thanks,I will check that out.

 Well been pulling out my hair but finished the 1st 2 steps which makes up the lower turret. The feed chutes and some more top to bottom cables are further down the instructions.

 I have to yell about this kit again as it has to be the most accurate resin kit ever done. It's details are amazing and parts I thought were not there are in fact just not in the instructions. So far there is not a thing missing on this turret. The smallest detail is there down to the rubber insulators. Downside is it is very delicate.

 This kit will probably never get the fame it deserves because the instructions really kill it. Terrible to say but with parts not shown or ommitted and zero painting instructions the most expert modeler probably couldn't get this together 100 % accurately. They are just too busy and the parts too many for just 1 page. The picture on the kit box is even wrong but the kit is as complete as I ever could imagine.

 You can see it is resting on a small bottle of testers paint to get an idea of the size. Have a little touch ups to to paint wise but a lot of the marks on the cables and turrent are intentional as that is how it looked.

Still waiting on chassis parts so taking a break for a couple days until then and on to step 3.

wow thats looking great thier sfcmac. i have gotten most of the m577 command post car done. i was a modeling crazy man yesterday. since it was so hot out side and the wx man said stay inside if you can so i did. this has been a very easy build and gone together without any trouble. i wish all kits would go together like this one did. so here are some pics of the m577cpc.

Hello all I'll be back to work on my project real soon sorry for not doing more.

sfcmac Your work has a lot of detail in a small place GRATE.

GA.modelmaker Your project got off the a realy good start keep it up man.

Sorry I did not post that badge images I should have been working on yet.

sfcmac great work and at least you can have yours open from the back to show all that great work you are putting into it.G.A. it will be a great build when you get done with it and can't wait to see it when done.I myself am about near done with my build and should be done by next week during my days off,Digger

I'm done my M113.  I picked the ACAV version.  It is easily the smallest model I've ever built! 

please comment!

 Jacob tat is a very detailed kit for 1/72. I was expecting more of a matchbox car look to it. You did a fine job. Paint still looks a little wet but it could be the flash from the camera.  I like the photo of it in the palm of your hand. It really shows the scale. Very cool.

GA modelmaker, nice 577 The Army is calling them ten sixty-eights right now. Not a lot of change from the old 577 except for internal equipment being modernized.  So many new gadgets and gizmo's it;s hard to keep up with them. I was stationed at Fort Stewart twice.

Still waiting on some parts the store has kept me waiting for over a month now. Hard to be patient. Says they will be in stock on the 23rd now. Good Gravy.

Great stuff guys!

all right the rain finally moved out late this afternoon and so did the tornado watch that expired at 600pm. so i was able to get the m77 painted. all i have to do now is paint the roadwheels an do the tracks and its done. all the other addons have all ready have been painted. they just need to be put in place. as for weathering i dont know yet how dirty i am going. so here are just a few pics of the m577. 

Well G.A. I see you have got a good build started and can't wait to see the rest of it when done.As for me I am done with mine so here are the pics........................

I know these are a lot of pics but I am happy with the job I did and will also post on the armor forum too,Digger.

 Great Progess GaModel Maker!

Digger that is just too cool for words. I think it is incredible!.

my m577 is 99% done. all i have to do is paint the powerplant and add that and put the flat coat on. this is one of my best builds since i started back building armor a few months agao. but i need to ask you should i weather up the sideskirts?  but other than those 2 things she is done. but whats really bad i have been bitten by the m113 bug i want to build more of these over the winter. so here are just a few pics of my m577.

G.A. you did a good job with that m-557.I like the weathered look of it also the way your tracks came out are good.I think that all of us here on this group build have the bug to build more.I know i will before dec comes around.Digger

I just realized that I need to get busy on this one.

So the idea is, Academy kit #1388, IDF Fitter, augmented with Verlinden's #765 M113 dozer blade, and PE from Eduard (#35882 "Fitter Exterior").

Possibly parts of Legend #1078 Sandbag Armor, if there's room.

"sigh" a GB addict's work is never done

~J

Yes indeed! I realized the same thing last year when I overcommited to too many GBs.

I started painting on my FSV. Just a base coat of MM Olive Drab.

I will be tackling the suspension and tracks over the next week or so.

Carlos the FSV is looking really good, I'll be looking forward to seeing the final product.

By the way the best color match for Aussie OD that you can get is Gunze H303 Light Green as a base coat and then fade appropriatley. If you can't get Gunze then either Humbrol 117 or Tamiya XF-58 will do the job.

Cheers