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Tamiya AMX-13

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  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Tamiya AMX-13
Posted by RBaer on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 10:16 PM

I've wanted to do an IDF AMX-13 for a while and had picked up the Tamiya kit and a set of Friuls before really researching which version of the tank the IDF used. Had I done so I may have started with a Takom kit, but in the end, both need quite a bit of detail changes to be reasonably accurate. I'll end up with a model that's mostly Tamiya with Takom parts.

Pics as it sits today:

 IMG_4098 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4099 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

The most visible mods so far are the turret riser, rear air intake covers and extended gun cradle arms. To be done still: converting road wheels to bolted type from the kit's welded type (same as Takom), changing headlights and brush guards to early style, changing side bins to late types and adding IDF specific turret details.

I should add that Tamiya kit is a little gem: good fit, good detail and a real pleasure to build. Out of the box, it represents a re-built Type 2A hull with a standard FL 10 turret, very common. Even the TC figure is good. I'll be changing his head and using him as an IDF TC.

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 10:11 PM

Lots of bolts: twelve on the first wheel, to get a rythm:

 IMG_4105 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And 108 more.

 IMG_4106 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Thursday, November 2, 2023 3:36 PM

Hello Russ!

Another very interesting model comin' up! I see you are not scared of work to be repeated MANY times... I hope you can find your peace doing that! Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, November 2, 2023 4:11 PM

That's really nice. The Heller one is a nightmare.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, November 3, 2023 1:44 PM

Pawel

Hello Russ!

Another very interesting model comin' up! I see you are not scared of work to be repeated MANY times... I hope you can find your peace doing that! Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

 

 

Pawel, peace comes upon completion.... lol!

Thanks Bill. I actually bought the Heller APC on the AMX hull, thought about doing a "good" one using Tamiya parts but after opening the box I'm having serious second thoughts. It's toy-like, but I have to keep in mind its vintage. But yeah, it's Heller-ish.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, November 3, 2023 3:20 PM

Years ago I kitbashed an AMX-13 turret on a Sherman hull, something that the Egyptians did.

I wish that the Tamiya -13 had been available. It's a pretty interesting piece. The French sold a LOT of them, some are still around.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, November 3, 2023 6:18 PM

I'll have an extra turret after all this, I may do just that. I'm pretty sure I have an M4A2 hull around somewhere.... 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, November 5, 2023 2:38 PM

Very cool!!! Always thought it was a neat looking tank. I've got one of the Takom kits started- need to finish the darn thing. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 3:16 PM

G, I just got one in to rob for parts, and it's a nice kit too. I'f I wasn't so far into the Tamiya kit it would be tempting to just build the Takom one. But it's not a great representation of an IDF tank either, so I'm sticking to the Tamiya kit.

So far I have the side bins mostly done and some bolt heads added to the front fenders, the FC Modeltrends headlights on (nice parts) and am looking forward to getting more done on the turret as well. The Takom kit has everything I need to finish. 

 IMG_4120 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4121 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4119 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

 

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Sunday, November 19, 2023 2:26 PM

The rest of the turret details are on and I hope to be spraying primer soon. 

 IMG_4123 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4122 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I had to stick with the Tamiya exhaust/muffler cover, digital difficulties to blame....

 

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, December 8, 2023 2:28 PM

In living color:

 IMG_4132 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, December 10, 2023 10:58 PM

Nice progress! Always good to see something with the first coat of paint down. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 5:52 PM

Thanks G. It's kind of the go/no go point for me. So I have some detail painting done and the first wash is nearly all cleaned up. I used Vallejo "games wash", new to me.

 IMG_4142 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4143 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Decals are from the Takom kit.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Thursday, December 21, 2023 5:26 PM

I haven't found much of a difference in the Game lines Vs. the Model lines of paints. They all work the same, just different shades of the same colors. I'm using Vallejo's Weathering effects "Thick Mud" right now and it's better than the enamel based products to me. Easier cleanup and it doesn't eat your underlying layers of paint.

That's a good looking AMX, Russ. I'm not a fan of that series of Armor, but you make it look good. How far into the weathering are you going to go?

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, December 21, 2023 8:14 PM

She looks good to me! I'm assuming it's an acrylic wash? I tried some on my last project and I'm having to get used to them. They'd probably work just as well as the solvent based stuff but I need more practice. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, January 5, 2024 7:16 PM

Mike, it's heading towards rode hard and put up wet. I have a well known pic of one being passed up by a column of M-50 Shermans and it looks beat up, so that's what I'm going for.

G, yes acrylic, and I think I like them. They're much easier to work with after they've dried, and they don't affect the underlying color at all, ideal for a pin wash.

So here it sits as of tonight. I had some time after things settled down her (busy Christmas!) and managed to get a lot done. It still needs antenna bases, the cooling fan screen, hatches and crew figs, and I'm thinking seriously about adding a Sherman tow cable looped on the front plate.

 IMG_4148 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4147 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4145 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, January 5, 2024 10:11 PM

She looks good to me! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Sunday, January 7, 2024 8:01 PM

Thanks G. I think the next one will be closer to OOB, maybe. I have another set of the same Friuls and enough of another Tamiya kit to build one, maybe using a few of the left-over Takom bits. 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Sunday, January 21, 2024 6:03 PM

Done, done and done.

 IMG_4167 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4168 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4169 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4173 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_4172 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 8:43 PM

WOW, that looks great! Love how she came out! Heart

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Monday, January 29, 2024 6:18 PM

Thanks!

Apprentice rivet counter.

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