One last question on the AMX-13 project. It seems the only authentic version using the Tamiya kit would be a Lebanese Army version. Their 1970’s color is listed as “light stone”, but I could use a little more detail, with things ready to paint.
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I guess you don’t want to depict a French tank because the Tamiya model builds into a French one after 1970 (because of the rubber padded tracks).
Olivier
So a non-export version then? Thanks for the heads up. But did France use that incarnation in anything?
What do you mean by incarnation?
Olivier
Isn’t the Tamiya model supposed to be the late version of the AMX-13?
Well it’s a bit more complicated. The Tamiya model is an early one which has undergone a number of upgrade operations.
The hull is the first type with the original suspension and the sloped bins. The mudguard at the front and the shortened gun travel lock legs are the first upgrade. The double headlights arrangement is another upgrade.
The turret is also an upgraded one. It features the mantlet dust cover, the late auxiliary sights, the late aerials bases and the NBC decontamination bottle attached to the bustle.
For your information, the tow hook is not correct for the hull type.
The tracks with rubber pads were introduced in the 70s to prevent road damage.
Olivier
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And note there were two types (at least) with rubber pads. The Takom track set has one type, the Friul set has the other.
What do you mean by 2 types? Different shaped pads?
Olivier
Too bad Tamiya doesn’t make the old version, which was used in so many conflicts, not just the IDF.
Yes 
One style has rubber pads with the corners slightly cut off on one side of the pad, the other type has rectangular rubber pads.
This VCI has the type with the cut-off corners:
Compare with these on an OB 105:
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OK. The first type is the one I’ve always seen on French AMX. I’ll check my documentation to see if the second one was also used by the French.
Olivier
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It’s certainly the standard one on Dutch vehicles, and it also appears to have been used in Austria and probably some other countries.
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