Idle wheels make the Friuls work?
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Well, it means I can adjust the tension like the real thing I suppose.
I canât quite recall how I did it, but then I havenât made a Heller kit for some time.
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Just in case you need a few reference pics (but you may know these alreadyâŚ)
http://maquettegarden.free.fr/Vehicules/AMX13%20Bitube/index.xml
H.P.
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I hadnât Frenchy, so thank you very much indeed. My main source, hitherto had been the Chars Français site, so these will be very useful.
Thanks again.
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I also have 2 walkarounds of this AA variant at my site. Check AMX 13 bitube de 30 mm in the walkarounds section.
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr/gb_version/index.htm
Olivier
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Thank you very much Olivier, that will be very helpful when I commence the build (Iâm not too sure when that will be - I havenât received the model yet).
Could you please clarify what the bars/rails on the turret front/side are for? It appears they support a large valise, this is the only picture I could find (from the Chars Francais site) so I am assuming it is for the crewâs personal belongings. Conceivably made of canvas and attached as necessary?
It is shown on the Heller box-art but nothing is included in the kit:
I donât mind making one from scratch but I would like to know what it is.
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I canât help for the use of the canvas bag. Your assumption sounds sensible however the bag is quite narrow to accommodate the rucksacks. If I find anything about it Iâll keep you informed.
Olivier
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Roger that Olivier; not essential by any means, but Iâll probably model it and plan on camouflage netting in any case.
Thanks again.
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I just checked âImage of War AMX 13 complete historyâ and found no clue about the use of the bag. All the pictures in the book do not show the bag fitted to the frame. If you donât scratch the bag youâll have to make the frame unless Heller give you this part.
Olivier
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The frame is included.
This photo seems to be from some parade (14 Juillet??)
No stowage (photos of old vehicles, in museums, on trials or shooting excercise
can be seen as âunusualâ).
The stowage âbagâ certainly looks custom made.
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It is a bit weird isnât it? Anyway, we all know that Armies move in strange and mysterious ways sometimes!
As I mentioned, the aim will be something approaching this - I hope. Heller do provide the frames.
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I think that once again, cam nets will be my friend!
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Indeed, indeed âŚ
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I assume they do â I just looked at the AMX 30 DCA I built 25+ years ago, and it has them.
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I have asked about the stowage bag and basket on the turret sides. The basket would be used to store a tarpaulin covering the whole vehicle. The stowage bag on the turret left side is quite common on period pictures however I still have no definitive answer about what it could content. Probably not the crew belongings as the bag is quite flat to contain the rucksacks.
Olivier
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Thanks Olivier; Iâll certainly model something there, it looks fairly simple; that said, I plan on portraying a camouflage net draped on the turret in any case.
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Well, received today:
I do like the original Heller artwork; sort of sparse in finish yet no details actually missed.
Anyway, also note the sensible size of their boxes back then, compared to the stupidly massive ones for sale today, yet for such a small model:
Also for interest, you may recall my original intent to produce a DCA combining turret and an original AMX 13 model; the following pics show the size variations. First the hull which is lengthened although the suspension remains the same:
And the changes to the hull top:
I was clearly on a hiding to nothing!
Anyway, all water under the bridge now, although I wonât be building this just yet.
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Told you so
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As you mention it, Heller generally did a good job dimensions wise. Unfortunately their attention to detail let to be desired. Still today if you think of the VAB.
Olivier
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Ok I see your next project Brian and this pops into my TikTok
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