It seems that I had the luck today of meeting some vets and and in the process a friend mentioned that I build models of tanks and stuff. Through a litle more talking with one of the guys I found out he heads up the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterens of America. He invited me to come to a meeting and bring some builds for them to see and was really interested in seeing a M113. Looks like I will be going in May so that gives me some time to do a couple of builds that would be more along thier era. I just need to know what kits are available. I was thinking of doing at least a M113, M48 and a piece of artillery. He even said that it could turn into some of the guys wanting something built that they served on which i would feel greatly honored to do so. Any help would be appreciated.
Tamiya and Acadamey make an M113 from the vietnam era …
i bought the acadamey one today actually, its not too bad, has full interior and everything, plus has 2 American variants, a south vietnamese one (i think) and an Australian Varient …
here is a list of kits of the M113 …
http://www.armouredengineer.force9.co.uk/bucket/model135.htm
You’ve got the M35Ai (quad .50 guntruck) and 105 mm artilery piece, M548,
and M88 by AFV Club.
M107 and M109 by Itlaeri, M163 by Italeri and AFV Club, M48A3, M42 Duster, M551 Sheridan, M577, by Tamiya, the aforementioned M113’s, M151 by Academy, the new molding is Viet era, the one with the flat fender, M41 by several companies. LVTE.
Also the M5 and M8 Stuarts were used by the Vietnamese, and/or French as were the M24, M8 Greyhound, Whiete Scout car, M3 Half track, `
DML’s M274 Mechanical Mule, too.
is there a kit of the V100 armored car? it did time there as well. mainly used by MPs, i think. dragon does an updated M113, Isreali, but it also has parts for earlier vers.
The only V100 kit is a very expensive resin one available from Verlinden. Also, the Israeli M113 you talk about above is also by Academy. Their M113 kits are the best on the market.
M60A1 tanks were also used late in the war.
Don’t forget the old M36 was used by the South Vietnamese as well. There is the new Academy kit of this guy with most of the parts needed for a South Vietnamese version.
Thanks guys, now just have to decide on which ones to do.
That would be an honour, Chris, Good luck.
Matt
you could also do the Italeri Pak 40 or the great AFV Club LVTP5A1 http://www.jbwholesalers.com.au/reviews/afvclub/afv35022.htm
Tamiya M113 has the innacurate suspension where the road wheels are not offset. Go the Acadamy if that is better. Or a French M24 Chaffee from Dien Bien Phu (Italeri), or an Aussie Centurian (Tamiya for basic vehicle and Legends update set to make the Aussie vehicle see http://members.ozemail.com.au/~firestorm1/ - for $46 USD you seem to get a lot for your money) - although I doubt too many of the guys you will talk to would recognize either of these.[:P] You may even be able to dredge up an old ONTOS kit off ebay one day.
Hey Petbat,
Thanks for throwing in the Centurion. I had forgot about that one.
My Dad hung around the Ozzies when he was in Vietnam.
That group of rowdies sent me all kinds of books and toys from Australia. I’ve always had a special warm place in my heart for the Ozzies because of the kindness they showed to a Millitary Brat they never knew.
Allright, even more choices to make. I am thinking about going with the Academy M113 for sure just because it has the interior and all. Any good kits for an artillery piece?
the Academy M113 vietnam version is a good kit. lots of accessories too!
the kit was awarded by FSM in 1999.
For Artillery pieces, there are a few good choices. For SP howitzers, Italeri makes the M109 series, A1 or plain M109, will work for 155mm, or could convert it back to a 105mm M108. Italeri also does the M107 175mm howitzer and M110 200mm howitzer for the heavy side. For towed arty, AFV does the M2 105mm howitzer, Italeri also does a couple towed, the M1A1 105mm, and M114 (called M1 howitzer by Italeri) in 155mm. For Mortars, the infantryman’s artillery, Tamiya makes a 4.2 inch M107 mortar and also makes the M106 4.2 inch M113 based Mortar carrier. There are also a bunch of resin and metal mortar sets out there too.
That should keep you busy enough.
Hey Lizard,
There was an article, (Showcase I think) awhile back in FSM that featured a great
job on an M113 from 'nam. The guy even showed how to make a 1/35th Tabasco bottle!
check it out! Your Vets would love it! (Maybe you add a bottle of COORS beer!
Good Hunting,
G.W.
Great thanks guys, looks like I have a whole lot to choose from now to decide which to do. Thanks again.
Have fun with your project. I have built a couple of kits for vets and there is nothing like the look on their face when they see their old plane, tank, etc.
There are several good sites for Vietnam models on the web.
Try http://www.geocities.com/vietnammodeling/ (was down when I just checked, said try again about 1 hr)
http://www.guntruck.com/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/gtadw have some great Guntruck models as well as others.
Great links thanks.