snapper_city Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) Hi guys I'm building this as part of a SIG on another forum. The M113 is my favourite military vehicle of all time so I was happy when AFV Club recently gave us a new tool. It has also been a good few years since I have built one.The kit is typical AFV Club and overall looks nice but I do have a couple of issues with it. The bad There are a few ejector pin marks that will require attention because of where they are. I will high light some of these as the build progresses. The price. At £60 RRP it is too much for what it is I feel but that's new tool prices these days. I managed to snag this one for £50 which softened the blow. Vinyl rubber band tracks. For the price it would have been nice to have at least separate plastic links. The Academy M113 was the benchmark before this and is a great kit. But it's 25 years old now and like all its predecessors it still didn't have the rear ramp pulley. The AFV Club kit is great to see and they will hopefully release a few different options of the chassis just like Academy did.The good Rear ramp pulley represented. Workable suspension A plethora of small arms are included in the kit. Anyway on with the build.I have no idea which option I will be doing yet but I will be using the picture below for the set up I will be aiming for. The M113 was seen with so many weapons configurations but I think the Minigun on the cupola and the M2 Browning 50 cal on the back just looks mean. (Ignore the topless grunts) M113 apc 1/5th Infantry "Bobcats" 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning" by Jerzy Krzemiński, on Flickr Here is everything I may or may not be working with. IMAG4263 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4264 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4265 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4266 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4267 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4268 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4269 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4270 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4274 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4276 by Mark Inman, on Flickr The Fruil replacement drive sprocket on the left Vs the kit option. IMAG4277 by Mark Inman, on Flickr As you can see from the back of the sprocket the fact these are made for the Tamiya and Academy M113's becomes evident. They will be no use on this build. IMAG4278 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Luckily the AFV Club drive sprocket fits the Fruil tracks rather well. IMAG4279 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4285 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Fruil's anyone?? IMAG4287 by Mark Inman, on Flickr RB Models brass Minigun. At under 2cm in length and 15 parts it is a little fiddly but this is the third one I have built. On their product webpage there is a handy guild to aid construction. My advice is don't worry about being too careful with the CA glue. Once built any excess can be scraped away with a scalpel. I even ran a lighter over it to burn the remaining away. IMAG4305 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4307 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Vs the kit M134 IMAG4308 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4309 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4313 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4330 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4414 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Ejector pin city on the inside of the roof. IMAG4416 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4417 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4418 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4419 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4420 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Next I have been thinking ahead for how I want to load this out. Here is a great shot with the whole floor covered in ammo cans. M113 apc 2/22nd Infantry (mech) "Triple Deuce" by Jerzy Krzemiński, on Flickr Here they have been stacked on the crew benches. 2018-01-15_11-44-51 by Mark Inman, on Flickr As I was lacking ammo cans I asked the guys from my model club and one guy came through. He had a load of .30 Cal and .50 Cal ammo boxes I could use. IMAG4421 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4422 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Painting has started. Laying down some metallic for the under layer. I'll be going hair spray technique on this..AK Xtreme Metal Matt Aluminium IMAG4450 by Mark Inman, on Flickr AK Steel IMAG4451 by Mark Inman, on Flickr More Steel IMAG4453 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Mr Metal Color Iron and buffed with a cotton bud. IMAG4454 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Playing about with chipping options for the inside of the APC. On the left is AK Worn Effects and on the right is the Mr Masking Sol. IMAG4505 by Mark Inman, on Flickr The rest of the internals sprayed AK Xtreme metal Matte Aluminium. IMAG4499 by Mark Inman, on Flickr The floor had a coat of chipping fluid followed by Model Air Steel. IMAG4570 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Lots and lots of Ammo tins cleaned up. IMAG4582 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4625 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4626 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4627 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4628 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4629 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4630 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4631 by Mark Inman, on Flickr I have been playing with enamel washes. Mostly Ammo brown wash for German dark yellow. IMAG4635 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4636 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4637 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4638 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Here is how the floor is looking. A dark wash followed by pigments dabbed over. A mix of Mig Vietnam Earth and Ammo Airfield Dust. These were then coated in enamel thinners from dabbing a brush over and letting the capillary action fill the gaps. Once dry the areas where most foot traffic will occur was rubbed back with an old knackered paint brush and a make up type sponge on a stick. The kind of thing you get in the Tamiya weathering palettes. The effect looks worse under my non daylight LED lights and looks quite orangery like rust. I may try to lighten things up a bit more in the future I will see how it goes. Considering most of the floor will be covered in ammo cans it really shouldn't matter. IMAG4640 by Mark Inman, on Flickr That's where things are up to right now. Edited August 23, 2018 by snapper_city 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 thats great... really like the weathering - think i will be back for more inspiration, especially the metallic finishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) Great choice for a subject 👍 Edited January 31, 2019 by Corsairfoxfouruncle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkbuilder2012 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 The interior weathering is superb. Really looks the part. Following this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG058 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Very nice so far! I like your chipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 WOW great job on interior indeed. Love the weathering and I will follow with interest. Cheers mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 My jaw's dropped and I'm speechless. The chipping/peeling on those walls... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sairou Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Will be watching this one with interest- currently working on the interior Academy's Iraq War variant (notably not the most accurate, but I'm going OOB on this one), and this is giving me inspiration for the weathering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combat Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Coming along very nicely. I like the first picture, I wonder which of the two guys drank the most beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I actually like that rusty orange colour. Rusty ammo cans maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hi guysThings have been moving on well. The bulkhead and floor are in place now. The drivers area was weathered up along with the lower walls that meet the floor. IMAG4650 by Mark Inman, on FlickrThe drivers officeIMAG4651 by Mark Inman, on FlickrIMAG4652 by Mark Inman, on FlickrIMAG4653 by Mark Inman, on FlickrThe rear troop seats installed and how things are currently looking. Next job will be working on the stowage.IMAG4655 by Mark Inman, on FlickrIMAG4657 by Mark Inman, on FlickrIMAG4662 by Mark Inman, on FlickrUntil next time 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Impressive weathering, i like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Weathering and interior detail looks fantastic, very real for my taste... Cheers mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG058 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 This is looking so good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Superb weathering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcoat2966 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yes, couldn’t agree more Carius; nice chipping detail and weathering throughout 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted March 22, 2018 Author Share Posted March 22, 2018 Hi guys Things have been a bit slow going lately due to family things going on. I was hoping to have the inside wrapped up at the beginning of the month so I'm quite behind. Anyway I have been painting and weathering up the crates and stowage packs. I have the ammo cans and a few other bits to finish before closing it all up. IMAG4800 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4801 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4802 by Mark Inman, on Flickr Until next time.. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soeren Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Fantastic painting and weathering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 Hi guys Made a good push tonight. The inside is basically finished. Everything is weathered and glued in place. IMAG4837_1 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4833 by Mark Inman, on Flickr IMAG4834_1 by Mark Inman, on Flickr 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Excellent work on the weathering those ammo cans really look the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Fantastic work! If I may make an observation? The ceiling of the M113 is covered with a foam insulation layer, and isn’t metallic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 5 hours ago, GMK said: Fantastic work! If I may make an observation? The ceiling of the M113 is covered with a foam insulation layer, and isn’t metallic. Interesting. I wonder if this is a standard thing or vehicle by vehicle? The references I saw they looked metallic and signs of paint wear. I'll try dig them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Superb build, I love the weathering effects you've produced here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkbuilder2012 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Really turning out to be a superb piece. A small observation though, if this vehicle is Vietnam era then you might remove the MRE box. They were still eating rations out of cans MCI or C-rations. They came issued in similar boxes, just flip it over so the stencil is not visible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 3 hours ago, arkbuilder2012 said: Really turning out to be a superb piece. A small observation though, if this vehicle is Vietnam era then you might remove the MRE box. They were still eating rations out of cans MCI or C-rations. They came issued in similar boxes, just flip it over so the stencil is not visible. I did think they were a little modern for Vietnam. Unfortunately they are stuck down now and the roof is on so not the easiest thing to correct. It will just be one of the artistic licenses going on with the build. Another little thing that no one has picked up on yet. All the ammo boxes are WW2 vintage. Not the style we see in Vietnam and today. These were the only ones I could get in numbers though. Never mind. It's still looking cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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