M113 from Tongde review Rich Johnson Models N Stuff

[RichJohnson]

I received my dealer sample of the new Tongde M113 today from DKLM. What a great RC model.
Details to note, metal edition has bearings in the arms and wheels, rubber tires, metal tranys.
Smoker for exhaust.
IR projector in the blackout light, inner light driver side.

I am currently working out the logistical options to import a case of each version of the M113 to market in the US like I did for the 1/16 WWII RC MB Willys Jeep

See the rest in the video.

https://youtu.be/D9ckHOLrqAY?si=PDdkOAG8XVj4o_2R

[RichJohnson]

Update video on the new M113 .

Also I am importing a case from Tondge consisting of all 3 models in the metal edition.
My price will be about 260-280 for the ACAV and Modern A2 and about $15 more for the Aussie turret version. I can't pin the retail price down until the order is ready to ship which will be about a month since shipping changes and conversion rates vary by day. But I have an estimated range to be able to set my price range.
Amounts are limited so I'm charging a $100 deposit.

[RichJohnson]

Field test and shake down.

[RichJohnson]

The standard 7.2 RC car pack fits in easily.

[Biff72]

Hey Rich how are you? I'm a Aussie Army veteran and one of my roles was driver of APC M113 A1 i saw you mention something about doing a Aussie version. Can you help out or point me in the right direction to make a start? It would be greatly appreciated as I've been looking for a decent rc to show the nephew and Stepdaughter what I did during my service.
thanks Grant

[RichJohnson]

I have one case of the current Aussie version with the turret coming in my order.
TD makes 3 versions , the Nam ACAV , modern A2 and the Aussie turret model.

http://www.richardsjohnson.net/id28.html

[RichJohnson]

The shipment from Tongde arrived today.
Here I'm sorting customer preorders and preparing shipments out.

http://www.richardsjohnson.net/id28.html

[SoCalBobS]

I received mine from Rich today. We live within driving distance of each other. What a jewel this vehicle is! Hatches all over the place, battery access via the rear loading ramp. I will be building mine as the ACAV in Vietnam colors to start, adding an M901 missile launch tower afterwards. The latter is 3D Printed, also available from Rich Johnson's Models 'n Stuff.

Last year, Tongde asked the community what they would like to see. I'm sure the M113 overwhelmed other requests. Well, we got it!

[tank_me]

The driver's hatch is wonky the way it opens, but that's not hard to correct.

[RichJohnson]

It slides open because they mounted the magnet for the ir receiver on it. Also probably cheaper.
The benefit? For my M901 it makes it work like the real thing. On the M901 dual Tow launcher the hatch rotated open to clear the hammer head launcher.

[SoCalBobS]

An issue:

The ACAV version supplies a shield for the main 50 Cal MG. However, there is no bracket for it, a major omission. The implication is that it is to be attached to the gun, an unsatisfactory solution. I checked the web for the correct method and found this:


it shouldn't be too hard to fashion the bracket from sheet styrene. It's too bad it's necessary.

[Rubicon99]

Bump to get over the Temu spam.

[RichJohnson]

TD is a quasi toy company and they bypass some details, like the swinging driver hatch. And the shield for the .50. They will do what looks good and is efficient for production aka cheaper. It doesn't distract from the model in any way but yes the shield keys into a tab on the .50 cal.

[SoCalBobS]

Per post #11, here is a mount for the 50 cal gun shield:



This guy is now ready for mud, dirt, rust, dust and external stores.

[RichJohnson]

That came out great Bob and one of my customers told me he already copied your mount in his ACAV which arrived Monday from me.

The front Trim Vane aka the wake board that fold down for swimming, is difficult to unfold without breaking .
Here is a video.

https://youtu.be/FAWpAerInng?si=UHusAOfzexaL8UeA

[SoCalBobS]

I encountered the same Trim Vane break point. On mine it occurred simply when I was turning it over on the bench. It's a weak point in the design. I came up with the same solution as Rich; I drilled a tiny hole and inserted a piece of wire in place of the dimple that broke off.

[SoCalBobS]

Finished, at least for now. You might thinks there is too much streaking and splashing, but it reflects actual photos from Vietnam. Dry dust on top streaked by rains, red dirt below, from those same rains!

[DavidN]

That is a nice one. Thank you for sharing, Bob!

[Rubicon99]

Finished, at least for now. You might thinks there is too much streaking and splashing, but it reflects actual photos from Vietnam. Dry dust on top streaked by rains, red dirt below, from those same rains!

Once ago again Bob you did an amazing job.

[RichJohnson]

In addition to the M901 Hammerhead TOW launcher kit I am producing for $95 I have now added a 106mm Recoilless Rifle for the Vietnam ACAV version.
These were often added in Vietnam on the right hand side replacing the M60 machine gun.
My kit comes with a brass tube in the barrel for support and a feed hole at the mount to run wires for a 3mm flash LED or to relocate the 3mm IR LED from the front of the M113. A savoy person could drill a hole and mount it on a shaft and use a servo inside on the elevation channel to make the gun traverse left and right. This gives a good reason for the APC to go boom and good use in an IR battle.