discussion Peters US GB Entry #2 - M113 ACAV - Tamiya - 1:35

[pjgtech]

Decided to do another entry for this US GB, as I still have a few suitable candidates.
This will be the Vietnam version of the M133 ACAV, (Armoured Cavalry Assault Vehicle).
The kits comes with a couple of figures too (I think?). I have already made a start today, but here are the box/sprue pics....

 

[pjgtech]

Progress so far, not much, but its a start, I have decided for this build to try to reduce all the little painting jobs, so am trying to get all the little bits on the larger parts as much as possible, so that they can all be primed/painted at the same time. We'll see if that works....
Lower chassis, engine, etc.


Few bits added to the top body section, hatch, handles, lifting points, etc. Plus internal seats, frames, etc.


A quick dry fit of the parts so far, all seems to fit together ok....

 

[flyjoe180]

I'm only just starting my GB build and you're on your second one already Peter Looks good, a fair amount of detail in there

 

[pjgtech]

Bit of priming done on completed bits so far... AK Black primer.

 

[pjgtech]

A little update, not much TBH....
Added a couple of coats of flat white to the internal surfaces. My small amount of research stated that the Vietnam M113's had a white interior, whereas other scenario's had a light green, so obviously I've gone with the white interior.
Might need another coat, we'll see what it dries like, but its gonna be dirtied up a fair bit so don't want it looking too white/clean!
Also now assembled the partiton between the drivers seat and the engine bay, and started on a few other sub assemblies.


Not decided yet if I'm going to have any open hatches? Have now primed up most of the other small parts on the sprue, so they will be ready to start painting tomorrow.


NB: One of the issues I think I've had in the past with my paint finish not looking as good as it could, is that I am sometimes in too much of a rush and don't let primer, paint, varnish fully cure before adding the next layer / coat! So I am learning and trying be more patient....

 

[pjgtech]

Not much to add but detailed the engine bay a bit, put final white coat on the interior, put first coat on the exterior, (few days ago) still a bit blotchy will need couple more coats at least, I'll wait till the weather cools a bit....
Put the drivers seat in and detailed that.
Also detailed up the engine bay access cover, fan, etc.


Then did a dry fit to see that everything goes in ok. Looks a decent fit but might need a tiny bit of filler at the edges.
But its looking ok so far...

 

[pjgtech]

Couple more little updates on this one....
Decided to make up and paint the figures that come with t his kit, not sure if I'll actually use them, but they will be in my figure stash for possible future use, we'll see.... here they are primed up.


Also primed and painted up a few other bits, although the Vietnam M113 apparently had a white interior, I have seen a couple of pics with brown rear seat benches/backrests, so I may change those from white?

 

[pjgtech]

More photos...
First coat of olive drab on the figures...


Have now also put the wheels on, seemed to go on ok, nice and straight. This model has the rubber tracks, but I don't mind them now as I've done a few and they seems to go on ok (Famous last words, Lol!)

 

[pjgtech]

And more photos....
Pretty much finished the interior now, I have attached the rear door, but left it free to move for now, as I'm not sure if I'll have the door open or closed at this stage? Rear benches now in, I decided to go with red/brown for the cushions, just so theres a bit of contrast. Also put in the instrument panel near the driver, the rear boxes, etc.






Here's the M113 with the rear door closed.


Here's a dry fit of the top / roof panel, its a nice tight fit, will need to touch up the paint at the edges when it finally glued, looks like it will not need any filler, but we'll see. Also painted the front panels/bulkhead...


And a dry fit of the front section, bulkhead too, again, looks a nice fit, we'll attend to any gaps if needed later.

 

[flyjoe180]

Taking shape nicely Peter