This is my latest project for a customer. It is the old Tamiya M577 kit updated to an M577A2 from the mid-'80s.
I took the tamiya hull and added the second shock and moved the rear idler wheel up about 3mm to bring it to A2 standards. I also switched out the engine deck for an A2 version left over from Academy’s A3 kit. I added smaller fittings like the lifting loop, second exhaust for the crew heater, handle for the trim vane, and A2 exhaust stack and guard. I also added the fuel can rack for the generator fuel cans.
On the inside, I took the interior from a Tamiya M113 kit and modified it. I added the fuel tanks and tables along the hull, fuel transfer pipes, ramp pulley, radio racks, and other small fittings.
Here it is with the interior painted and outfitted with paperwork, maps, and gear.
Ceiling too.
Next up is exterior painting. It will be in 3-color NATO camo.
Wow, Heavy! Seeing your work on the interior takes me back to my enlisted days as a 31C, Single Frequency Radio Operator, in the PA Guard. Really great work! I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product. How were you able to modify the M113 interior to look just like a 577? I have both kits in my stash.
Sheesh… I’m gonna use yours for the references for mine in the Guf War GB… What’d you use for the roof lights? I was trying to model the square green/white ones without much luck…
I might suggest that one piece of gear missing from the interior is a helmet or two. First thing you did with you got inside was take that thing off and stash it somewhere…
LOL! As well as pulling off your “web gear,” hanging it somewhere/anywhere, and slamming the ole M-16 into the rack above the ramp, if a rack was available, or stacking your rifle on the very top of someone else’s weapon already in the rack. Not too mention how cold that aluminum floor is when it’s cold outside, you’re in your fart sack and you had late night/early morning radio watch!
The lights are just left over lights from the parts bin w/hangers added. Then painted w/chrome silver for the clear ones and clear red for the red ones.
I’ve added a helmet in there too.
Yup, all the above are great memories of living in the hotel on tracks. Gotta love it.
Thanks for the tip (betcha didn’t know you gave one) on the idler wheel as well… For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why the Tamiya track wouldn’t do the “right sag” on top I remembered on the 113/577… Never thought it was that the idler arm was too low… DOH!
To quote “Ernst Kessler” from The Great Waldo Pepper, “Efferytink vas in order…”.
Wow!, takes me back when I was an A/S3 in the Brigade TAC. Looks awesome, how did you produce the map? Scan a real one and reduce? Did any of you guys ever hear of units welding seats out of a deuce and a half or 5 ton in the 577s for the TOC rats to ride in while the TOC was jumping?
WOWSER HA… sweet. I love the way all the paperwork and maps look. Funny how paper makes it look so cool. I put a folded up map in an FW 190 cockpit once and it was my favortie detail.
Thanks for the compliments. The map is an actaul map (Tenino I think), that was reduced on a black and white copier, then I used pastels, pens, and paints to color it in. All the paper items were copied off the web, reduced, and printed out. If you take a magnifying glass, you will see they are actual DA 1594s, 2404, range cards, and FM/-10 covers. There is an M577A2 -10 in there.
Ah! The classic and favored" scenario map." I wish I could remember some of the notional towns that were depicted on that map, and their corresponding scenarios.
Here it is with the interior painted and outfitted with paperwork, maps, and gear.
