Anytime Jason. For those who aren't aware, Jason owns Arms Corps Models and is a 3D designer and printer of parts to modify armour kits. Primarily for Australian versions. He created great aftermarket parts for the 1/35 M113's and is working on upgrades for this 1/16 M113A1 kit. Time is his greatest enemy as it understandably takes a longtime to get accurate designs and Jason takes the time and effort to design highly accurate parts. Can't wait to see what you come up with for this big kit mate.
I ran a Mech Infantry platoon, back in the day - rode around in my assigned M113A1 - the ultimate ATV! One aspect for fellow modelers. That flat swim vein (as opposed to the ACAV version) was just a sheet of plywood, with metal brackets and framework. Consequently it weathered differently from the aluminum of the rest of the vehicle. Consider the hair-spray technique for just that component. Of course, I bought this kit and it'll be my next project.
Funny you mention the standard trim vein. It was one of the first things I thought about when it comes to weathering this kit when I build it. That marine ply certainly has a very specific look to it where the paint flakes away and the surface of the ply starts to separate. Great pick up and well worth sharing. Cheers 👍
Thanks for this review, the three things that will stop me buying this kit are, size, price and I have no way kn hell of sneaking it home, but dreams are FREE, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia, Les
Yes mate it's certainly a big kit and would be difficult to hide 😀. As you say, dreams are free and most of us a big dreamers. Who knows, one day it may be an option for you 😉
Got mine the other day, super excited. (I would love to be able to build this up as one of "my" tracks but I'd need an 'A2 upgrade w/ the M47 Dragon mount next to the M2 and the forward smoke grenade dischargers. I'm already trying to decide how to replicate the Velcro strips along the hull for the MILES gear. Oh, and we need lots of ALICE gear and NODS boxes to stuff into the interior, too). Great review, Sir, thanks for sharing
That would be a serious scratch build project. Mind you, I'm really hoping that some aftermarket companies take the plunge and release some easy add on common modifications as these vehicles were used in such massive numbers all around the world. It wouldn't be difficult to do the Hiab crane for the fitters track, or the mortar version, or some of the Vulcan cannon versions too. So many options and so many versions out there that could be done. I guess it comes down to practical costs but with 3D technology being what it is, I think it's very feasible.
I'm currently building the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman in 1/16th scale. Working on something this large is definitely "labor intensive." I'm doing some of the work on the dining room table because there just isn't enough room on my normal modelling area! Much of the painting is done with spray cans instead of air brushing because of the large areas to cover.
That's a great kit. They aren't for the faint hearted because the workload in 1/16 is so much greater than 1/35 and really needs a modeller to commit to a long build process. Love to see how your finished build looks.
I don't have the space for something this big, but... if I did, I'd have a go at turning it into a 40k Rhino. One for the future maybe, if they're still around.
Nice review Stewart, not a kit I will be picking up but one I can appreciate as an ex Infantry grunt (ex 6RAR, early nineties). Looking forward to seeing how you convert it to an RAAC vehicle and also seeing this kit pop up at future shows.
Thanks Andrew. Oh I didn't know you are ex 6RAR. Well these bush taxi's will be familiar to you then. My first build with this kit will be a Long Tan car. It's the easiest route to take and the mods should be straight forward.
@@BlackHatScaleModels , yes familiar with them but I never got to enjoy being bounced around in one - we used the 6x6 and 4x4 Perentie's to get around as mobil Infantry. Really looking forward to the Long Tan build!!
Thanks Andrew, as am I. I'll definitely be doing that build next year when I can get together all the bits I want for it. There's 1 or 2 big projects to be completed before I start the M113's, including a 6RAR Vietnam diorama 😉
There are a couple issues with the kit. The crewman is a marine. The 50. cal ammo boxes are WW2 and not 60s era. The mount for the 50 I s WW2 late and not Vietnam. AFV has 60s era mounts and ammo boxes along with m60 ammo belts and fetails
all valid observations too. I know it's a little different here in Australia because many of us here would look to build an Australian variant from this kit. But for those looking for a true ACav version for instance, it appears you have a little bit of work if you want a really high degree of accuracy. That said, mods are normal if you chase accuracy. Thanks for your feedback 👍
@@BlackHatScaleModels Good morning Stewart, i can relate to that as well i am in Brisbane also at Murrumba Downs. The weather has been terrible of late LOL
Mate I lived in Murrumba Downs 7 years ago until the wife convinced me that the Southside was the place to live. Closer to family and friends. I still miss walking around that great estate.
The main thing I don't like about this kit is I don't have it! It's taking forever to arrive in Europe. I don't know how they are trying to transport them, possibly drilling a hole through the centre of the earth. I've not seen any aftermarket stuff, can you share what's out there or coming out? Thanks for the review.
Worldwide shipping is cursed and totally uncontrollable I think. But I feel your pain. AHHQ has lots of 1/16 figures and stowage items now in stock. I did see a video by Andy on TH-cam when his stock arrived. These are mostly enhancements for the 2 versions you can currently build from this kit. I also know that there a couple of 3D print designers working some modification sets. Not sure what they will come out with but it seems more things are on the way.
Thanks, I saw the Jason stuff, I think maybe there might be different versions from Andy? I'm sure AFV will have some detail up parts but their costs are astronomical!
some of the aftermarket companies will be smart and have some great future releases at a reasonable price. Some others will try to cash in on the popularity as that always happens. That said, I do know how many hours people like Jason put into their design work because they are perfectionists and want to produce really accurate parts. I guess there will be all types and all price points. Let's hope there's enough to go around as everyone I talk to about this great kit wants to modify them to suit their personal taste.
@@BlackHatScaleModelsI was disheartened to see that one of the famous big Chinese online stores were selling recasts figures of what are recent releases for these big scale kits. Litteraly for pennies. 😢
This is one of the most frustrating things in our hobby. Companies who cheat creators out of their IP and income by copying or recasting their products. Especially figures. Whilst I am not a 3D creator I do understand the pain they suffer from Chinese companies allowing such obvious rip offs to be sold on their websites. Turning a blind eye to it doesn't make it right.
Thanks for the call out Stu. Big plans in the works.
Anytime Jason. For those who aren't aware, Jason owns Arms Corps Models and is a 3D designer and printer of parts to modify armour kits. Primarily for Australian versions. He created great aftermarket parts for the 1/35 M113's and is working on upgrades for this 1/16 M113A1 kit. Time is his greatest enemy as it understandably takes a longtime to get accurate designs and Jason takes the time and effort to design highly accurate parts. Can't wait to see what you come up with for this big kit mate.
I ran a Mech Infantry platoon, back in the day - rode around in my assigned M113A1 - the ultimate ATV! One aspect for fellow modelers. That flat swim vein (as opposed to the ACAV version) was just a sheet of plywood, with metal brackets and framework. Consequently it weathered differently from the aluminum of the rest of the vehicle. Consider the hair-spray technique for just that component. Of course, I bought this kit and it'll be my next project.
Funny you mention the standard trim vein. It was one of the first things I thought about when it comes to weathering this kit when I build it. That marine ply certainly has a very specific look to it where the paint flakes away and the surface of the ply starts to separate. Great pick up and well worth sharing. Cheers 👍
This is a great kit! I finished one of the test shot builds and bought another one.
That's pretty cool, building one of the test shots.
Thanks for this review, the three things that will stop me buying this kit are, size, price and I have no way kn hell of sneaking it home, but dreams are FREE, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia, Les
Yes mate it's certainly a big kit and would be difficult to hide 😀. As you say, dreams are free and most of us a big dreamers. Who knows, one day it may be an option for you 😉
@BlackHatScaleModels I would have more cgance of being able to buy the real thing😃😃
Got mine the other day, super excited. (I would love to be able to build this up as one of "my" tracks but I'd need an 'A2 upgrade w/ the
M47 Dragon mount next to the M2 and the forward smoke grenade dischargers. I'm already trying to decide how to replicate the Velcro strips along the hull for the MILES gear. Oh, and we need lots of ALICE gear and NODS boxes to stuff into the interior, too). Great review, Sir, thanks for sharing
That would be a serious scratch build project. Mind you, I'm really hoping that some aftermarket companies take the plunge and release some easy add on common modifications as these vehicles were used in such massive numbers all around the world. It wouldn't be difficult to do the Hiab crane for the fitters track, or the mortar version, or some of the Vulcan cannon versions too. So many options and so many versions out there that could be done. I guess it comes down to practical costs but with 3D technology being what it is, I think it's very feasible.
I'm currently building the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman in 1/16th scale. Working on something this large is definitely "labor intensive." I'm doing some of the work on the dining room table because there just isn't enough room on my normal modelling area! Much of the painting is done with spray cans instead of air brushing because of the large areas to cover.
That's a great kit. They aren't for the faint hearted because the workload in 1/16 is so much greater than 1/35 and really needs a modeller to commit to a long build process. Love to see how your finished build looks.
I don't have the space for something this big, but... if I did, I'd have a go at turning it into a 40k Rhino. One for the future maybe, if they're still around.
40k Rhino ... now that's an interesting concept. I know some people who would do just the same with this kit. Great idea.
Nice review Stewart, not a kit I will be picking up but one I can appreciate as an ex Infantry grunt (ex 6RAR, early nineties). Looking forward to seeing how you convert it to an RAAC vehicle and also seeing this kit pop up at future shows.
Thanks Andrew. Oh I didn't know you are ex 6RAR. Well these bush taxi's will be familiar to you then. My first build with this kit will be a Long Tan car. It's the easiest route to take and the mods should be straight forward.
@@BlackHatScaleModels , yes familiar with them but I never got to enjoy being bounced around in one - we used the 6x6 and 4x4 Perentie's to get around as mobil Infantry.
Really looking forward to the Long Tan build!!
Thanks Andrew, as am I. I'll definitely be doing that build next year when I can get together all the bits I want for it. There's 1 or 2 big projects to be completed before I start the M113's, including a 6RAR Vietnam diorama 😉
@@BlackHatScaleModels , sounds awesome👍
There are a couple issues with the kit. The crewman is a marine. The 50. cal ammo boxes are WW2 and not 60s era. The mount for the 50 I s WW2 late and not Vietnam. AFV has 60s era mounts and ammo boxes along with m60 ammo belts and fetails
Thanks for the info
all valid observations too. I know it's a little different here in Australia because many of us here would look to build an Australian variant from this kit. But for those looking for a true ACav version for instance, it appears you have a little bit of work if you want a really high degree of accuracy. That said, mods are normal if you chase accuracy.
Thanks for your feedback 👍
hello Stuart, which part of Aussie are you from. Malcolm
I'd love to be able to say "Sunny Brisbane", but let's just go with Overcast, Rainy, Stinking Hot & Humid Brisbane 😀
@@BlackHatScaleModels Good morning Stewart, i can relate to that as well i am in Brisbane also at Murrumba Downs. The weather has been terrible of late LOL
Mate I lived in Murrumba Downs 7 years ago until the wife convinced me that the Southside was the place to live. Closer to family and friends. I still miss walking around that great estate.
The main thing I don't like about this kit is I don't have it! It's taking forever to arrive in Europe. I don't know how they are trying to transport them, possibly drilling a hole through the centre of the earth. I've not seen any aftermarket stuff, can you share what's out there or coming out? Thanks for the review.
Worldwide shipping is cursed and totally uncontrollable I think. But I feel your pain.
AHHQ has lots of 1/16 figures and stowage items now in stock. I did see a video by Andy on TH-cam when his stock arrived. These are mostly enhancements for the 2 versions you can currently build from this kit. I also know that there a couple of 3D print designers working some modification sets. Not sure what they will come out with but it seems more things are on the way.
Thanks, I saw the Jason stuff, I think maybe there might be different versions from Andy? I'm sure AFV will have some detail up parts but their costs are astronomical!
some of the aftermarket companies will be smart and have some great future releases at a reasonable price. Some others will try to cash in on the popularity as that always happens.
That said, I do know how many hours people like Jason put into their design work because they are perfectionists and want to produce really accurate parts.
I guess there will be all types and all price points. Let's hope there's enough to go around as everyone I talk to about this great kit wants to modify them to suit their personal taste.
@@BlackHatScaleModelsI was disheartened to see that one of the famous big Chinese online stores were selling recasts figures of what are recent releases for these big scale kits. Litteraly for pennies. 😢
This is one of the most frustrating things in our hobby. Companies who cheat creators out of their IP and income by copying or recasting their products. Especially figures. Whilst I am not a 3D creator I do understand the pain they suffer from Chinese companies allowing such obvious rip offs to be sold on their websites. Turning a blind eye to it doesn't make it right.