My first cousin was in Vietnam around 1969 and commanded a 113. I believe he told me that part was there to help them ford streams. He added that, of course, it didn’t work as planned, lol.
Gary
Yes, you can build a standard Academy M113A1/A2 (less interior) right out of the AFV Club FSV box. The only things it is missing would be regular version decals and AFV Club replaced the poor Academy kit tracks with their superior individual link tracks. The kit gives you a bunch of stuff for the parts box.
The all new F sprue adds the side floatation extensions (just styrofoam filled sheet metal), new roof and many detail parts like the rear caged turn signals. I don’t remember if there were front caged turn signals or not.
You get the Scorpion turret and two suspension sprues (just to take a couple turret pieces off the suspension sprue). The rest of the pieces go into the parts box.
There isn’t a canvas cover for the main gun tube. The one I built, I just went with the straight metal barrel. If I ever get around to building my second kit I’d add it with tissue paper.
I don’t know about Australian M113 based vehicles, but on US vehicles, there aren’t trays for the 5 gallon cans. It’s just a little metal lip that catches the bottom edge of the metal 5 gallon can and the can is strapped horizontally. The tray is probably a better system because newer plastic 5 gallon cans don’t have a lip to catch and are always coming loose.
It’s a cool little kit, I’d have grabbed it even without the metal gun tube. The 76mm would be too easy to scratchbuild with styrene tubing or find a resin or an aluminum AM barrel.
When was the Scorpion turreted version in use?
While I do not know about the Australian version, all the standard US versions could float. I swam a plain jane M113A2 back in the 1980s in the Vermont National Guard. It moves very slowly and even the slightest current effects it a great deal. I’d venture to say it moves down river faster than it moves across the river. Think of pulling a shoebox slowly across a small stream.
Here’s a video of someone actally swimming the 113 (disregard the person posting the video trying to force the name “Gavin” on the 113).
Thank you for the information. My friends Gary and Bob were both army infantry, Bob spent his time carrying the big gun.
Gary suffers from exposure to Agent Orange.
My friend Jim was an airman.
My friend Keith was a helicopter pilot.
I had an Academy CH-46 but I gave it to Fermis because it’s 1/48. It was a gift from Namrednef.
IF I built a Vietnam model, it’d no doubt be a fast mover. Considering a TF-100.
I should also mention that the trim vane acts like a bow of the ship, keeping the nose of the 113 from wanting to run below the water surface (submarining), which would be bad if that occured. The Bradley series also had a trim vane on earlier models, but the Army decided later versions were too heavy to swim and removed the swim barrier from them.
Rob, the Scorpion turreted version was used from the mid 70’s to the early 90’s. (sorry, can’t find definitive dates). In hindsight, yes, I should have nabbed that kit. The Tamiya kit doesn’t represent the canvas boot either, my one was made with tissue and tape. The Jerry can trays are a local mod
I think swimming the FSV would have been a hair-raising experience, as the turret added some two tons to the weight. I seem to recall reading that a trials vehicle sank after they traversed the turret while under way. There’s a picture somewhere of a canvas “dam” which had to be erected around the radiator grilles for swimming operations, so I imagine there wouldn’t have been much freeboard (scary sight from the driver’s position).
Further on “trim vanes”, I believe the LAV has one which slides out from the underside of the “nose” and the AAVP7A1 has a “flip out” type.
I thought that might be the better reason- keep the bow up, except that’d depend on forward speed. Fairbanks Morse used to make those things down south of San Jose.
Yup, FMC. My Cousin worked there for may years until he retired.
Check this one out. You really have to watch your entry angle and load distribution. I’ll bet the driver was starting to sweat a little. [:D]
I only swam in a track once at Ft Benning. There was only a few inches of freeboard between the top deck and the water level in the pond. I am glad that was my only time. Not a comfortable secure feeling.
I ordered my TF-100 from Hannants today. It was the only place I could find it. Also ordered (gulp!) the fancy PE set from Eddie.
I’m a little frustrated that my book hasn’t come yet; “Bury Us Upside Down”, but should be any day.
Then of course the big question: whats the best SEA paint set?
Most companies make the standard USAF camo colors of Dark Green 34079, Medium Green 34102, Tan 30219, and Light Gray 36622. I am partial to Model Master and then Polly Scale for color fidelity. Gunze’s are pretty good too. Tamiya does not make any matches in their line up.
Works for me too. Thank you, Stik.
Read all you can about the 1st. Cavalry
Could,nt have said it better–TANKER-builder
Stik , i recall you saying you werent into having[^o)] G.B. badges in your signature .looks like you’ve been busy .Tell you what , they look reaaly cool the way you have them all organized . Looks great .[Y]
Talk to Ordie. Compliment him. [t$t] He did it up for me. Otherwise I’d be a slicksleeve here[;)] I can research and find stuff online like a Honey Badger, but computer graphic arts are not my forte here[:(DD]
LOL . You know i was woundering if you had someone do that up for you . [Y]
One of the best documentaries I have watched on the subject of the Vietnam War is the box set “Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War”. It is unbiased and gives a complete history from the time starting in WWII (when Japan invaded) to after the fall of South Vietnam. The full version came out on 6 VHS tapes, there is a DVD version but a few of the chapters are left out. You can still get the VHS version on eBay at a decent price if you shop around for it. (There is one there now for $48).
On the subject of modeling for the Vietnam War, I personally plan on building one of every aircraft the USAF had used in support of the Vietnam War. Here is a list I have put together:
A-1E Skyraider |
|---|
A-1H Skyraider |
A-1J Skyraider |
A-26A (B-26K) Counter Invader |
A-37A Dragonfly |
A-37B Dragonfly |
A-7D Corsair II |
AC-119G Shadow |
AC-119K Stinger |
AC-130A Spectre |
AC-130E Spectre |
AC-47D Spooky |
AU-23A Peacemaker (Turbo-Porter) |
B-52D Stratofortress |
B-52F Stratofortress |
B-52G Stratofortress |
B-57B Canberra |
B-57C Canberra |
B-57E Canberra |
B-57G Canberra |
C-118A Liftmaster (DC-6) |
C-123B Provider |
C-123K Provider |
C-124C Globemaster II |
C-130A Hercules |
C-130B Hercules |
C-130E Hercules |
C-130H Hercules |
C-133 Cargomaster |
C-141A Starlifter |
C-5A Galaxy |
C-7 (CV-2) Caribou |
C-97 Stratofreighter (ANG transport) |
C-9A Nightingale |
CH-3A |
DC-130A Hercules |
DC-130E Hercules |
EB-66B Destroyer |
EB-66C Destroyer |
EB-66E Destroyer |
EC-121D Warning Star |
EC-121M Warning Star |
EC-121R Warning Star |
EC-47N Skytrain |
EC-47P Skytrain |
EC-47Q Skytrain |
EF-4C Phantom II |
F-100D Super Sabre |
F-100F Super Sabre |
F-102A Delta Dagger |
F-104C Starfighter |
F-104D Starfighter |
F-105D Thunderchief |
F-105F “Wild Weasel” |
F-105G “Wild Weasel” |
F-111A Aardvark |
F-4C Phantom II |
F-4D Phantom II |
F-4E Phantom II |
F-5A “Skoshi Tiger” |
F-5B “Skoshi Tiger” |
HC-130H Hercules |
HC-130P Hercules |
HH-3E “Jolly Green” |
HH-43B Huskie |
HH-43F Huskie |
HH-53B “Super Jolly Green” |
HH-53C “Super Jolly Green” |
HU-16B Albatross |
KB-50J Superfortress |
KC-135A Stratotanker |
KC-135Q Stratotanker |
NC-123K Black Spot |
O-1D Bird Dog |
O-1E Bird Dog |
O-1F Bird Dog |
O-1G Bird Dog |
O-2A Skymaster |
O-2B Skymaster |
OA-37B Dragonfly |
OV-10A Bronco |
QU-22B Bonanza |
RB-47H Stratojet |
RB-57E Canberra “Patricia Lynn” |
RB-66B Destroyer |
RC-135C Big Team |
RC-135D Rivet Brass |
RC-135M Rivet Card |
RC-135U Combat Sent |
RF-101C Voodoo |
RF-4C Phantom II |
SC-47D Skytrain |
SC-54D Skymaster (DC-4) |
SR-71A Blackbird |
T-28B Trojan |
T-28D Nomad |
TF-102A Delta Dagger |
U-10A Courier |
U-10D Courier |
U-2C Dragon Lady |
U-2F Dragon Lady |
U-2R Dragon Lady |
U-3A Administrator “Blue Canoe” (Cessna 310) |
UC-123B Provider |
UC-123K Provider |
UH-1F Huey |
UH-1P Huey |
Ken
Thats a good list of kits Ken .[Y] I’m still getting what info i can about the conflict . I have that DVD set you mentioned . My son gave it too me . He’s now over in Afghanistan with USAF .I read your bio about your dad[Y] . The F-105 is one of my favorites , actually all of those century fighters where cool ! I suppose that the Afgan war will be another war we will ponder in the future . Right now i wonder about it .I’m building the SA-2 and transport now , in NVA markings . It might help me obtain some kind of insight into the other sides outlook .