Tongde M113A1 ACAV Detailing

[tdriver113]

I purchased the all metal pre painted version of this model with the idea of just running it as is without any modifications that I would do on previous RC models. I thought it would be a welcome break from all the work tearing something apart to make a more accurate model. This worked really well for a while until I came across a thread on M113 modifications on the rctankwarfare UK site. Several gentlemen there have posted their efforts at detailing various M113 RC models. And I was hooked. Again. The Tongde kit is overall a great running setup but there were several minor things about the model that were annoying. The .50 cal MG shield mount kept falling apart. The rear M60 MG shields were a little wobbly and not sitting at the right angle. The ACAV turret had some interesting features that didn't accurately resemble the real thing.

So off I go with some detailing using the Andy's Hobby M113A1 kit for a parts donor.

[tdriver113]

First thing I did was strip down the hull and remove all the speaker, main board, smoker, and related wiring. Also removed the turret mechanism and cut down all the mounting points.

[tdriver113]

Next, I test fitted the various parts from the AHHQ kit. This included hull sponson top and side covers where the rear seating and other parts are attached. Also test fit the firewall between the engine and crew compartment and the hull floor access plates to see what needed to be trimmed or cut down to fit.

[tdriver113]

I cut down the kit side wall to fit between the firewall and the rear panel on the right side. This also shows the seating attachment panel on the side of the hull. And a test fit of the battery box to see how much of the rear support bracket needs to be trimmed.

[tdriver113]

I cut down and fitted the side panel on the drivers side. Test fitted the seating panel on the lower hull and the fuel tank. The fuel tank was notched to retain the original rear panel support bracket. This shows the side panel extended all the way to the front, but I found it did not fit with the actual hull dimensions. I cut it back to the firewall area in anticipation of mounting the battery there instead. First plan is to put the speaker in the fuel tank. More on that later.

[tdriver113]

With everything test fitted and checked for clearance I started to permanently attach the parts, starting with the firewall. I set it forward as far as I could next to the motors. It was shimmed on the bottom and braced with a piece to help support the floor panel.

[tdriver113]

The AHHQ kit sides were fixed flush with the outer edge and the rear body of the Tongde hull. Then the sponson covers were fixed to the hull and aligned with notches along the bottom edge. The Tongde upper hull will fit over it. A hull within a hull.

[tdriver113]

The troop seats and the floor were next. Both had to be removable to allow access to the suspension parts. The kit has 2 pieces on each side to mount the seats with. There is an upper piece that is fixed to the top and a bottom L shaped piece that the seat brackets sit on.


This is the top piece, right side. The 4 small posts are what the seats will fasten to.



The bottom L shaped piece.



Test fit with the floor set in place.

[tdriver113]

I cut a piece of very thin plastic sheet and made it the same size as the lower hull side and temporarily set it in place. Then I lined up the 2 pieces and glued them in. Next came the seats glued to those 4 small posts and then all the legs for the seats were added. It turned out to be a strong assembly that should hold up to handling.


Seat assemblies mounted on the plastic sheet.



Here's the back side showing the plastic sheet holding it all together. One end is notched to clear the idler mounting bolt.




After a quick test paint.

[tdriver113]

Here's what I used for my thin plastic sheet trick. It's a for sale sign from Menards. Very thin plastic that takes plastic glue very well. They are very handy for small fill in and shim use.

[RichJohnson]

I like what you have been doing with this detail job. I didn’t do anything with my Tongde as it was a prototype for my M901 kit, my recoilless rifle upgrade for the ACAv and the ADATS turret kits I produced. I also imported a couple dozzen of them before motion received theirs.
Just before the Tongde was announced I was building a DKlM 3d printed one that is an M220 with the tow. I detailed out the interior as best I could based on photos but didn’t finish the tow tubes rack or personnel standing platform.