Tamiya 1/35 US M113 ACAV 35135

The kit proposed by Tamiya company includes a plastic model kit of American armored transporter in 1:35 scale.

Armored personnel carriers appeared on a large scale during the II World War and to this day are the basic military vehicles in almost every army. The role of the combat transporters in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War took M113. It was a tracked infantry fighting vehicle built in the late 50s, made of aluminum armor plates. It could carry 11 soldiers with full combat equipment in almost any terrain. Its main weapon was a .50’ Browning HMG on the turntable mounted on top of commanders turret. The experience of the Vietnam War imposed necessary changes in the design. To the fifty-call an armor plate was added to protect the shooter, while on each side of the combat compartment, M60 MG-s were installed, also protected with armored plates. For protection against mines and improvised explosives, the bottom of the vehicle has been furtherly reinforced. Vehicles modified in this way were called M113 ACAV (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle).

Tamiya kit allows assembly of the American M113 armored personnel carrier ACAV model, along with the commander and two soldiers. The model can be assembled as a modern version or the one from Vietnam War period. Box includes a part of the hull, 4 sprues with parts, mesh, wire, and decals (allows reconstruction of vehicles from the 1st Infantry Division and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment).

Plastic parts should be cut out of frames, fit together and glued according to the assembly instruction. You should paint the whole model using modeling paints. It is important to remember that some plastic parts require painting before gluing. In the end, it is needed to apply decals according to markings or graphics in instruction.

Paints recommended by the manufacturer for best results:

Vehicle:

• Tamiya XF-62 (armor, Vietnam War pattern)
• Tamiya XF-2 + XF-64 (armor, contemporary pattern)
• Tamiya XF-1, XF-58 (camouflage, contemporary pattern)
• Tamiya XF-1 (wheels bandages)
• Tamiya XF-2 (fighting compartment interior)
• Tamiya XF-49 (upholstery of seats and couches)
• Tamiya XF-56 (metal parts of equipment and engine)
• Tamiya X-10 (armament)
• Tamiya XF-52 (wooden elements of equipment)

Gunner:

• Tamiya XF-58 (uniform)
• Tamiya XF-62 (helmet)
• Tamiya XF-1 (shoes)
• Tamiya XF-15 (skin)

Soldier:

• Tamiya XF-58 (uniform, canteen, belt, tactical suspenders with tools)
• Tamiya XF-1, XF-57, XF-58 (uniform, camouflage)
• Tamiya XF-1 (shoes)
• Tamiya XF-15 (skin)
• Tamiya X-10 (metal weapons)
• Tamiya XF-1 (composite parts of weapons, M16)
• Tamiya XF-64 (wooden parts of weapons, AK-47)

Set contains:

• The assembly instruction.
• Frames with plastic parts.
• Decals.
• Rubber tracks.
• Metal elements.
• Soldier figurines.
• Mesh.

Kit does NOT contain paints and glue.
Here are the basic tools and materials you need:

• Pilers for cutting plastic parts.
• Modeling penknife.
• File or sandpaper.
• Cement for plastic models.
• Brush or airbrush.
• Modeling paints.