Tamiya 1/35 M-113 APC
The Tamiya M-113 APC is an old kit. It comes with a complete interior, an engine, and 5 figures. A nice kit considering it's age, which according to my "armor" friends, is outdated. To me, it was a nice change of pace from aircraft, and an occasional boat.
Assembly was straight forward. I knew the "fun part" would be the figures, and weathering, along with the base. I decided upon a small base, done to replicate a swampy trail/road, on a slightly raised berm. Nothing too exciting, but something that would show the vehicle in it's native habitat, hot and dusty.
After I assembled the M-113, I purchased an 8 1/2" X 11 1/2" base at Hobby Lobby. After I stained the base, I used thin styrofoam to build up the "high" spots. I used Perma Scene that I've had laying around longer than the M-113. After painting and weathering, I added the "greenery" . Then I tried to weather the vehicle to fit in.
I enjoyed the build, and not having to worry about correct paint shades, decals, etc. When I start getting bored with my usual builds, it will be nice to slip back into something like this.
Joe,
This looks great. Beautiful job
Joe, great job on the ol' war horse. It really looks the part.
Most of the ones I saw were as faded as yours- the sun and the monsoons fade that paint real quick.
In our part of Six Flags Over Nothing the dust was reddish, something in the soil. Dust everywhere, stirred up by wheels, treads, and helicopter rotors.
Usually, there were boxes of soda(!) and rations on top, and coils of concertina wire lashed to the sides.
The troops on top (too hot to ride inside) sometimes had OD towels or bandannas around their necks and over their mouths, to keep the dust out, and to wipe off the everpresent sweat.
Thanks Bernard, and thanks for your service.
Joe, thanks!
The figures are certainly easier to paint in those OG "jungle fatigues" than the current Army ACU digital pattern uniform, or the Marine MARPAT, or the USAF ABU. Try that, sometime. I was having that discussion with one of the guys in my IPMS chapter. He's gonna try it. I wished him luck.
Quick look: http://www.rangerjoe.com for those interested. Help is on the way, the Army is about to change patterns, again.
A very nice APC! The weathering looks great. The base looks real nice as well. Well done!
I fondly recall doing this one myself way back when...I can distinctly remember painting those figures (not my favorite thing to do). I like that base, too.
Great job on the track Joe ,best part of the kit is the track worst part is the figures . Yours. Came out a lot better then mine did .
Great job on this one, Joe. Its sometimes refreshing to do something different
Fantastic Joe! A very realistic base compliments it brilliantly. Nice work.
It is just as I remembered it from all those years ago Joe.
Great kit to build, and the little diorama with makes it great .
Well done mate.
Good looking PC Joe. Really like the base you did as well. Nothing like riding or driving in one of those bad boys, noisy, lots of shaking and either hot or cold, nothing in between.