Australian Army M113A1 APC with T50 Turret

AFV Club, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

Introduction

The Australian Army has operated M113 armoured personnel carriers since 1964.

An initial pair of M113s was purchased for trials purposes in 1962. Either 817 or 840 were acquired by 1979, comprising nine different variants.

A long-running modernisation program that commenced in the 1990s resulted in 431 M113s being upgraded between 2007 and 2012. All of the upgraded M113s remain in service as of 2020.

In Australian service, the M113 has equipped armoured transport and reconnaissance units as well as mechanised infantry formations. It has also been used as a support vehicle by many other units.

The type played an important role in Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1972. Some M113s were deployed as part of peacekeeping missions in Somalia during 1993 and Rwanda between 1994 and 1995. Larger numbers of M113s operated in East Timor from 1999 to 2002 and 2006 to 2008.

Despite the upgrade program, the Australian Army's M113s are now obsolete and they have not been included in recent deployments due to their vulnerability to attack. A project to replace the M113s with infantry fighting vehicles is underway, with a decision on the type to be procured scheduled for 2022. It is planned that the replacement vehicles will begin to enter service from 2025 and the M113s will be retired when this process is complete.

F i r s t L o o k

The M113A1 is widely known as the Bucket to Australian troops.

There have been a number of conversions for the Australian T50 turret armed M113A1 over the years, but this is the first time we have seen a mainstream plastic kit and AFV Club has not skimped on the unique attributes and detail of this unique version.

Compared to their earlier M113 releases, this one boasts four new olive green plastic sprues and one new clear sprue.

Most of the parts from earlier variants are still present, so you'll have a bounty for your spares box.

In total, the kit comprises 583 parts in olive green coloured plastic, 38 parts in clear plastic, two photo-etched frets, two vinyl track lengths, one length of string and markings for six Vietnam War vehicles.

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Thumbnail panels:

Surface textures are nice, including weld beads where appropriate.

The first unique sprue supplies the new roof, armoured plate for the belly of the bucket, rows of .30 cal and .50 cal ammo boxes and detail parts.

The T50 turret gets its own sprue with poseable hatch and interior detail.

Vision blocks are also supplied on a new clear sprue.

Two styles of jerry can are included.

A new infantry weapon sprue adds unique Australian small arms including Owen Guns, F1 sub-machine guns, two variants of the L34A1 sub machine gun, L1A1 SLR and more.

A useful selection of generic weapons including the M16, XM177, M21, M14E2, .30 cal and .50 cal machine guns are offered too.

Two photo-etched frets are also in the box. One of these is new.

The hull is supplied as one large moulding with the sides, rear and floor.

Assembly commences with the running gear. This is fully workable thanks to flexible torsion bars and separate swing arms.

The road wheels feature separate plastic tyres, so if you like, you will be able to paint the tyres separately before they are fitted to the wheels.

The tracks are soft vinyl full lengths. These are joined with a single fine metal rod that acts as a track pin for each side.

The kit supplies a well fitted out fighting compartment and driver's compartment. Decals are provided for placards and stencils inside the vehicle - nice touch.

Exterior details are comprehensive, including clear lenses for lights and various fine plastic guards and grips.

Deck, turret and rear hatches may all be posed open or closed.

The T50 turret may be built in one of three different configurations - single .50 cal, single .30 cal or twin .30 cal. You also have the choice of fixing an external .30 cal to the top of the turret. Check your references to see which configuration applies to your marking choice.

The decal sheet offers six marking options.

All vehicles are finished in overall Olive Drab.

C o n c l u s i o n

There have been a number of conversions for the Australian T50 turret armed M113A1 over the years, but this is the first time we have seen a mainstream plastic kit and AFV Club has not skimped on the unique attributes and detail of this unique version.

More than 600 parts sounds like a hefty total but many of these will be spares and there don't seem to be any traps lying in wait for the moderately experienced modeller.

* Background adapted from Wikipedia

Thanks to AFV Club for the sample

via Hobbies Australia / Frontline Hobbies