I do my periscopes in a very similar way but add a little thin clear blue/green tamiya clear I mixed up just a thinned coat to add a little interest. I always painted the back of the angled part silver and never thought to use foil I’ve got some I’ve had for ages too DOH! I did try chrome pens but didnt like the result I got once over coated with the top coat.
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vision blocks tend to get the greenish look more than periscopes as they are normally made from multiple layers of laminated glass and being so thick
you can see the layers at the top. these step down in size towards the inside so there is now way they will pop through if impacted
can see these had a few broken layers that can be re laminated on after taking the bock out.
looking into a periscope. they are way clearer with being solid blocks.
you can see there the periscope mirrors from the inside on the right there
new glass looking really green
more modern ones had the IR/UV protection added like on the AS4 they look almost purple or orange
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a periscope removed looks like this. you can see the central glass block is where it goes through the top of the hull. that part is sometimes covered in rubber to seal the hole more. then there is a thing seal that sits on the thicker lip and they are clamped from below
a render of the side view
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OK Now we go back to the Build.
I’ll be working on the Wheels next and then the Track
Regards
Donald
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The build is coming along great Donald. 
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That interior is almost photorealistic.
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looking good there on the inside
good that they have the padded ring around the drivers hole you certainly feel it in the shoulders when its not fitted and good the mounting ring for the hatch hinge is sperate so if we do a kiwi or Aussie one with the turret we can rotate the hatch out a little. (just have to move the small padlock plate on the hatch edge)
the hatch opens more towards the side slightly and has a small part shaved off the inner edge (there is a big gap to the turret there as top half of it is not mounted central on the bottom turret ring and the back sticks out further)
lucky i didn’t have many bumps to go over this day as your shoulders sit close to the ring
the small toggle on the hatch locks into the side and that’s all that holds the hatch closed from the inside. Australia came up with a better version later on with the Spider.
can see here the other part of the hatch is almost strait up from the side of the hull
Aussie hatch lock system
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Nice. Every instalment brings something new. Plus the input by the guys in the know is great too.
Just need the kit myself…
Keith
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That is quite the kit - the detail is superb. The raised lip on the wheel though…
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Here’s what I was saying about the M113 Wheels in the kit, they fit really good with the real ones.
Regards
Donald
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looks like an air purifier
No idea where it goes and even if used in Vietnam either but I found it trawling through this
Keith
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This is really looking good,just a question for anyone,im doing the AFV kit,from all the pics it looks like the inside walls and ceilings are interior green,is the floor white,what about the inside of the roof hatch when its open,interor green or OD
Thanks
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The whole interior (walls, roof, floors, shelves, etc.) are all seafoam green. The forward floor (flat) in the driver’s area is green as well. The rear floor with diamond tread plate is bare aluminum. Inside the hatches (including large rear hatch) are usually dark green, even on sand and camo vehicles. If a vehicle is new from the factory in sand, the hatch interiors can also be sand.
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Here’s a picture i found on the net. I don’t think those units were used in VN. They’re meant to filter air in an NBC attack scenario. As the picture posted by @kornbeef, it clearly mentions the M113A2. The picture i posted is of a unit typically found on the M88A1 ARV.
Here’s the whole setup.
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IIRC that NBC filter was installed in the late 1970s to 1980s. And even then not all vehicles got it.
Ken
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Just a little more finished on the top.
These suggestions may make it a little easier doing this install.
I am finished for today.
Regards
Donald
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