I am NOT starting this kit just yet as I have other committments I need to fulfill, but I have waited a LONG time for a 1/16 M113. I plan on doing upgrades and conversions for it (I really want a M113A2 and when I last spoke with Andy at the IPMS Nats there was NO interest in doing any follow on kits). BUT…I wanted to start a conversation on this kit.
There already is a list of things that need to be fixed/upgraded, like the footmans loops I recently put up for sale (they were a quick and easy rescale after all the hard work making them in 1/35). But there are other things me and other people with the kit are already noticing, like the track.
So for my opening post, and for some silly fun, I will leave a teaser picture of something I will be putting up for sale shortly:
Greetings & happy Holiday Jacques,
I just sent you a lengthy inquiry, via E-Bay (not real confident in their “Contact Seller” forum) I’m a more than satisfied user of your 1/16th footman loops - they’re great. If you did receive my ED message, great, if not, might you contact me so I can clarify my question, then order several more sets of your loops. I’ve used dozens on an M109A6 project…will “need” to substitute the AHHQ loops w/your product.
TIA, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Larry
There is nothing wrong with the tracks that comes with the kit. The tracks in the kit are T130 which was first used on M113 and the tracks that Jacques is making are T130E1.
Almost all the M113s you see have T130E1, so an aftermarket for the tracks was predictable.
Replying late, was driving through a snowstorm yesterday.
Addressing the kit T130 tracks:
The T-130 tracks in the kit are fine, but they have two issues I wanted to address:
- They look a little off for T130 tracks. I’m NOT an expert on these tracks, and I do not have immediate access to a M113A1, but I wanted to address this for my own build. The main issue is the track pad in my opinion.
- I was not happy with how the kit tracks build. The sandwhich method (which is understandable and works) means they leave seams that are almost impossible to deal with and are noticeable/should not be there.
I will illustrate these issues once I am home with my parts. This is not a criticism of the kit tracks, more my plan to deal with them in my upcoming builds and I am willing to share with anyone else that has my AMS affliction.
As has been mentioned, a LOT of the photos of the M113 series vehicle show them with the T130E1 tracks. Like, a LOT. The kit tracks are the initial T130 version. The US Army decided to make the track pad simpler and change some of the details on the metal track (not sure of the reasons) to the point it received a new designation and NSN number.
And since I THOUGHT that the T130E1 where just T130 tracks with new pads, I threw them together BUT, it has been pointed out that I need to adjust the actual steel track details for a proper T130E1. Didn’t know that, glad to have people help correct it.
I REALLY want proper T130E1 tracks, so I am going to put in the work to make them correctly. So new prints/pics coming in the next few days.
T130E1 tracks were not introduced until 1974. The vehicle represented in the kit is an earlier version used during the Vietnam war, so the T130 tracks are correct.
Yes, I received the message through eBay (and I agree on the confidence of their contact platform ).
As I have been delving into the labyrinth of what is/was M113 production (over 90,000 built in all versions/variations) I have found that there are a number of different sizes and iterations of even the basic footmans loop. I have found at least 3 versions of the “short” footmans loops on the M113 over the years (I still need to take formal photos of ALL the footmans loops and take proper measurements), here are some of what I mean:
Footman’s loop on the M113A2 at Camp Ripley. Notice the different style, with the square “foot”. Also notice in the background, the “older” “regular” footmans loops (not really in focus). I was breezing through taking pictures and did not concentrate on the footman loop differences at the time. Something for the future I guess.
I also have photos, but not readily available at this moment, of footmans loops on a M113 that are at least 3 times the “regular” length. Will post that when I find it.
So I plan to re-organize and relabel my footmans loops into the future in some fashion, but they are all correct, which means I may have to find the secret repository for proper NSN numbers OR make some new labelling up.
That’s what I thought, but you can’t make them worn down, because they are hollow and then you would have to fill all of them. I think that I’ll just do them the best that I can for the 1968 time period when I was busy installing the ACAV mounts. Oh by the way the swing arms on the M60 mounts look a little short. I remember them being a little longer to give the Gunners a larger field of fire.
Regards
Donald
I have finished the 1/16 T130E1 tracks (several revisions later) and have them up on ebay. I think they will look great for a POST Vietnam vehicle (the T130E1 track was not used in Vietnam).
For those of you looking for the T130 tracks, I also made a new set of those. The kit tracks are fine but I wanted something better (I did not like the assembly of the kit tracks and the shape of the pad seemed wrong and undersized). If you like them, you can get them too.
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