M113 A2 TAMIYA 1/35 - VIGNETTE
This was an attempt to show a vignette with one of the most iconic military vehicles :the M113.
The M113 family was born in 1956, being the first APC made of aluminum. It was developed by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) and was transferred to United Defense in 1994, who was bought out by BAE in 2005.
The M113 is a lightly armored personnel carrier that provides good mobility combined with fair firepower and protection, used to transport and position combat troops and supplies. There are now over 40 different variants of this model., where this family provides platforms for anti-tank, fire direction, smoke, mortar, cargo carrier and command & control systems. Over 80,000 units have been produced and are used by over 50 countries, with original production done in the United States. .His debut was in 1962, on Vietnam war, with the nickname “Green Dragon” (due to its ability to break through the thickest parts of the jungle no matter the condition of the terrain) . His estimated range was 322km at a max speed of 60km/h, powered for a Chrysler V8 gasoline engine. Other highlight was its amphibious characteristics, at a speed of almost 5,5 km/h.
The A1 series was introduced in 1964. This model replaced the gasoline version for one Detroit Diesel engine, increasing your range to 480 km), at a speed of 65km/h and 5.6km/h in water.
The A2 series was introduced in 1979. This upgrade changes the location of the fan and radiator, resulting in improved engine cooling. Other improvements to the A2 series are adding; higher-strength torsion bars, which improved ground clearance, shock absorbers, which reduces the effects of ground strikes, and external armored fuel tanks on both sides of the rear ramp. The range and speeds are the same in the A1 series. To be used in the Desert Storm Operation, the M113 was adapted to the desertic environment and received equipment to gerate one thermal signature to avoid friendly fire.
This was an attempt to show a vignette using an M113A2 Tamiya kit on the 1/35 scale, Ammo Mig acrylic ink and primer, with the terrain being made with Desert Sand Terrain AK Interactive. I decided to print some posters to try to contextualize the scene, indicating the period as being the Second Gulf War, when the Coalition hunted Saddam Hussein.
Forgive me for the lack of quality of photographic records, I did not have time to make new photo shoots... This vignette was "stolen" by my nephew Iago (6 years old), my assistant in some mounts and newest addict in plastic kits...
Amazing M113, Sandre! Excelkent painting and weathering. Thanks for the supporting text, containing all this interesting info regarding the type.
Thanks Spiros, whenever I start a new project (model) spent some time in the search of information on the subject, looking for photos, reading articles or even hunting on YouTube (videos of assembling or vehicle in action)... I think this is due to my training - I am a civil engineer - and this process really makes me very satisfied with how to present and contextualize the finished model.
The weathering process is my favorite part... done without hurry or many excesses in the use of wild techniques and products...
Great result, Sandre @lima
Like said by Spiros @fiveten, paint work and weathering looks very nice.
Thanks John, I try to represent a model as real as possible, without the exaggerations we usually see out there.
I had a teacher of reinforced concrete dimensioning who said all the time that the great is the enemy of the efficient. I think for the weathering of models, that phrase is very true. The abuse of these exaggerated techniques, such as the abusive use of color modulation, or many products for weathering, make the representations seem, as we say here in Brazil, huge toys or just a fantasy.
I love it! ?
Thanks Gary, your birds are amazing...
Your father was a geologist? I have friends who work in Australia in the mining industry, in the mineral research sector. Both are mine engineers, researching graphene reserves in the Victoria region.
And thank you Sandre! I really appreciate that! No, my father worked for ALCOA in the smelting operation, specifically in the "potrooms", where the ore was smelted into molten metal. He supervised several long rows of those pots. My blog here includes an article about his European service in World War Two.
That is interesting about your friends in Australia; I would love to return to Victoria for a visit! It is a beautiful state. ?