Tamiya AMX-13 French Light Tank.
I made this as an online build on Britmodeller back in 2016 when Tamiya first released their AMX-13.
If was my first attempt at giving tracks the appearance of sagging using wire to hold the tracks in position. In the photos I've posted, you can get an idea on how I achieved this. I found it quite simple and thought it gave the standard tracks a better appearance. Should you be interested, the link below will take you to the full build that I done online.
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235005633-tamiya-amx-13-french-light-tank/&
beautiful
Thank you Bob.
Ah - slick little technique there! Pays off nicely and really adds to the realism of the tank.
Many thanks Greg.
Lovely job, sir...I like it.
Thank you Craig. Much appreciated.
What a nice slice build. No over the top wethering, just crisp details and color modulation to make the model pop. Amazing work!
Thank you Geir. I'm pleased you like it.
Nicely done! Looks great.
Many thanks Robert.
Truly amazing work, Julian. But I expect no less from you!
Very much appreciated David. Thank you.
Nicely done, Julian!
In 1986, our tank platoon was awarded the TTVIII (Tank Table 8: Individual Tank Qualification) Squadron "Top Gun" award which was to spend a week shooting with our German Bundeswehr "sister company" up at Bergen Hohne Military base. It was formerly known as Bergen Belsen, one of the concentration camps, but except for the memorial area it is now the home base of British and French armored troops serving in NATO in Germany. On our first day of live fire the Range Control folks came dragging an AMX 13 to use as a target. I got to put the 2nd & 3rd shot holes through it. (yes ... I doubt our 120mm rounds slowed much going through them.) The AMX 13s are very mobile and have a great gun ... but their armor thickness is somewhat lacking. I THINK it is basically the same 105mm gun that was developed by the French used on older American tanks & other NATO vehicles, back when our Numero Uno tanks were the M48A5 & the M60, M60A1, & M60A3. Smoothbore guns have replaced rifled ones in a LOT of NATO, but the 105mm IS still used SOME vehicles (the Stryker, for instance). ( However, that will change.)
Thank you Jeff.
That's very interesting that you got to fire rounds on an AMX for real. I bet that was a lot of fun. I've visited the Tank Museum at Bovington a few times. I always look at some of the older vehicles used for target practice. The damage a shell can do is very frightening. I'm sure you know a lot more about that than me!
To see the jagged holes left in the thick armour is very impressive. I can't help but think of the crew inside. A member of my family died in a tank during the First World War. I posted a little information about him on iModeler when it was the 100th anniversary of his death.