Back dated a M113A2 to a Vietnam era M113A1 with 106mm

[rschaap]

Thanks to the heads-up from "skorzeny" I was able to acquire a Millennium Models 1/18 M113A2 for a conversion to a Vietnam era M113 with 106mm recoilless rifle. Here is the model I started with and what my future conversion shall look like.









Wish me luck....

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #1** First I stripped all the gear off.





And then I removed the hull to work on the interior first.



Now the fun starts......

[rschaap]

I did notice something when I started. The hull number on the 1/18 scale model matched Tamiya's M113 model from the 1980's. My guess is the plan was to build the model as a Vietnam M113 at the start and they decided to upgrade it. The storage packs cover the numbers, so unless you remove them you would never see the numbers. Curious...

[normandy]

Interesting find regarding the Nam era numbers. Looks like this will be a nice project.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #2** I used old "I-Tunes" cards (An idea I got from the guy who did the WWII Dragon Wagon) and plastic stock for some of the interior access hatches along with the driver and gunner's seats (not pictured). I wasn't going for 100% accuracy, just to the point where it satisfied me visually. Matt (Pickelhaube) once commented on detail work, essentially saying that it's nice if you can see it. That thought has stuck with me while doing this conversion.

I had the idea of doing this a while back and was prompted to make it happen when I was searching old forum post and saw another conversion back in 2010 by "pcoughran."







I also did a little update to the instrument panel and drive handles.



Until next time...

[tmanthegreat]

Talk about going all-out on the 21c M113

It seems the 21c M113 was just made to be customized from the ease of getting the stowage off to the ease of disassembling the model. There's been a number of excellent custom examples over the years. My very first custom XD vehicle was the "Desert" M113 where I replaced the crappy 21c stowage with better Build-a-Rama items. Did that 10 years ago. Last year, I re-did my Vietnam M113, removing the stowage and external fuel tanks while attempting to make the sides smooth. My Vietnam came out pretty decent, though it still needs the MG shield, cupola armor, and proper ID markings.

However, yours is going to look fantastic, I think

[rschaap]

I am planning on buying 1/16 scale decals for a M113 and reducing it to 1/18. I will let you know how that works out. Thanks for looking. I will be posting more pictures soon.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #3** I used the 106mm recoilless rifle from a Humvee I had. I painted the 106mm rifle with Testors Olive Drab #1911.



I had to patch 36 holes in the diecast body before proceeding. This took three days of filling and sanding due to the shrinkage of the filler. I wanted the body to be smooth before painting. I also removed some of the body detail that was not present in the M113 in my reference photos.







Next update soon...

[Rylau]

Looking good. Keep the updates coming.

[rschaap]

Looking at the photo of the 106mm recoilless rifle after painting it olive drab I realized it is too light. I read Humbol #66 is a closer match to the color of Vietnam armor. Any suggestions?

[skorzeny]

You are very Welcome rschaap ! any time !

Happy to know the the it worked for you !

I like your Custom Idea , I wish the best for this custom !

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #4** I did not like the way the access panels on the rear bulkhead turned out, they appeared too small. I used some old gift cards for the new replacement panels. I added a few extras and removed whatever that large hump at the rear of the cargo bay was, then I covered the hole with another cut up gift card.







I did not like the simple looking engine. My first thought was to remove the engine and replace it with a 1/18 scale Chrysler block from a diecast car. The engine was glued in very well and I feared I would break the flooring when I tried to remove it. I decided to detail the existing motor as best I could using the reference photos I found.





The next step is to primer and paint.

[Light.Inf.Scout]

Thats very cool

[rschaap]

Thanks, I just finished the wiring on the motor and primered the interior. Once I take care of some small issues, I will paint the interior and engine before putting on the decals. I will post my progress soon.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #5** I finished the wiring and put the primer coat on so I can take care of some small issues before painting the interior.











Til next time...

[rschaap]

It has been slow go this weekend due to a family emergency. I did have an opportunity to add two shelves to the interior hull for radio equipment, along with moving the fuel cap and backdating the exhaust. I also had a chance to work on the rear fenders and fix a couple of small details. I will post photos in the next day or two.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #6** Here is the photos of the relocated fuel cap and the backdated exhaust.

The fuel cap is located on the upper left rear portion of the hull.



The exhaust (silver piece) is located on the upper right front portion of the hull on the engine access.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #7** I painted the interior a Tamiya greenish grey. This is the closest color match I could find to the seafoam green.





I painted the engine based on some of the reference photos I had.





I painted up the seats I made, along with the fire extinguisher and the heater. I detailed the instrument panel.



I test fit the parts. I still have more touch up to do before I can do apply the decals and install the parts. It's coming together.



Enjoy....

[Rylau]

Real nice. You have the skills.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #8** I was able to complete most of the interior plaques and plumed the heater.





I then glued in the driver's seat assembly, drive handles, instrument panel, fire extinguisher and I installed the cargo compartments rear facing seat and box below the commander's seat.







In the interior of the hull I installed the shelves, painted the interior, put the plaques on the forward hull and installed the radio equipment I scavenged from a derelict Vietnam Mutt along with some ammo boxes on the right and left portion of the hull.







My plan is to put some cargo in the bay area and button up the hull so I can primer and paint it. I figure I am 80% done.

[rschaap]

**UPDATE #9** I put the cushions on both sides of the cargo bay along with three 106mm crates, seven more ammo cans and a ration box on the storage shelves.





I took a photo through the back of the M113 to give an idea of what it will look like when it's all buttoned up.



The next update should show the painting of the hull prior to assembly.

[[CAT]CplSlade]

Isn't the gas pedal a bit far from the driver's seat?

Assuming that little silver rectangle glued to the reinforcement ridge is the pedal.

[rschaap]

Yes it is. The area where I put the gas pedal should be where the drive shaft for the transmission is. There is a lot of problems with the interior of this model that would require a lot of work to fix. The engine compartment is all wrong, the interior walls are in the wrong place making the cockpit too narrow. It has the wrong gas tank for the later model M113. There were some odd things found in the cargo bay which makes me believe they had other ideas for the interior. This is why I choose to make something for myself and not shoot for 100% accuracy, since I realized a lot of the detail would not be seen once it's all assembled.

[[CAT]CplSlade]

Understood.

[Puke]

My goodness this is nice work. For what it is worth NAPA stores carry a spray paint ( I forget what brand) but it is called Detroit Diesel Alpine Green that is a very close match for the interior of modern U.S. Armor vehicles.