M113 for Vietnam Part 1

I decided it was time to make some transport for the US in Vietnam, so the M113 project began.

Here are some photos of the start of the project showing how I built up the hull shape with plasticard, the photo above shows the basic model with Parkfield figure to indicate the size of the model. The actual vehicle is not actually very tall, the top of the hull is 6ft from the ground, so not a bad fit if I say so myself.


I plan to make the hull in resin with the wheel assemblies and accessories in metal. The wheels are plastic rod cut down, the next stage is to fill the hollows with magic sculpt and impress the detail using a die I have made from magic sculpt. The next stage, if it works, will show the wheel detail done.

The model was designed to a scale of 1/55, a reasonable size to fit in with 28mm figures, the body is resting on the basic wheel assemblies at present to get some idea of how they will look together.

New 28mm Vietnam figures

Kit Carson scouts in a variety of dress with a variety of weapons

Prone US M 60 crew

Beowolf for Black Pyramid Miniatures

Dog and handler for Vietnam WIP

new Vietnam bits, VC and US infantry

More 28mm VC for Vietnam

The next batch are now underway. My intention is to produce, at least to start with, enough figures to create a squad each for the US and VC forces. I am aiming at 9 figures of each then a few variants before moving onto, maybe, ARVN and VC Main Force figures.

Above is a kneeling VC firing an SKS rifle, hat still needed. Of course, the VC figures will be easier to alter just by changing the headgear to a non la-a conical rice straw hat.
Above is a VC squad leader and RPD gunner with, below, a view of the three figures I have got farthest with so far. I am working on a few more US infantry figures to include a squad leader, grunt with M-79 grenade launcher and one with M-60.

Parkfield Miniatures Vietnam comparisons

The centre figure is from the new Parkfield Miniatures 28mm range of figures with, on the left. a FoA figure and on the right, a figure from TAG