M981 FISTV, Academy 1/35 WIP

[stikpusher]

I started this one a bit over a year ago, as part of a GB with So.Cal.AMPS - a M113 family GB, everything on a M113 chassis qualifies. This is the Academy 1/35 kit. So far it’s been all OOB, aside from adding a section of bendable straw at the base of the hammerhead to replicate that section of optical conduit.













approaching the finish line soon…

[Leon]

Looking good Carlos! I really like the different variations of 113.

[handiabled]

You moved right along with this! Are you going to do in Desert Storm color or?

[stikpusher]

Thanks Leon! The 113 family is pretty big from the basic APC, mortar tracks, command post tracks, to various armament carriers like the Aussie Fire Support Vehicles, US flame thrower “Zippos”, artillery ammo haulers, air defense Chaparral, Vulcan, & Rapier tracks, or even those that carried the Lance tactical battlefield missile. All built around that chassis and drivetrain. The designers sure got the basics right way back when…

Brent, since there is no interior on this kit, the basic hull and turret builds up quick enough. It’s been the Indy link tracks and getting a bendable straw of the right size that’s been holding me up here. We don’t have any kids in the house anymore where I could grab one from their juice boxes like when our kids were little. It’s been a few years since those days… now I’m on the lookout to get some tubing to do the antenna base brush guards over the external fuel cells…. And yes, this will be in Desert Storm Sand color, not in the NATO woodland colors.

[deafpanzer]

That's very unusual looking machine! I look forward to see your magic work on it.

[chromdome35]

Cool vehicle, looking good so far!

[tcoat]

I love's me a good 113 variant. Stik, do you know what those boxes on each side of rear are for?

[dupes]

I love all of the M113 variants. On my "to do" list!

So is finding a selection of bendable straws, now. Genius.

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys!

Andy, it is indeed a unique looking AFV with that turret, although similar turret systems are now seen in many armies around the world.

TC, those are armored external fuel cells on the rear. The internal fuel cell was removed and that area used for more storage space. A little safer for the crew in combat, and I believe slightly more fuel capacity between the two tanks compared to the single internal fuel cell.


Dupes, I’m with you on 113 variants. I still have quite a few more types in my stash to tackle… plus a few more I’d love to add… :

[tcoat]

Mar 12, 2024 11:12:39 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Thanks guys!

Andy, it is indeed a unique looking AFV with that turret, although similar turret systems are now seen in many armies around the world.

TC, those are armored external fuel cells on the rear. The internal fuel cell was removed and that area used for more storage space. A little safer for the crew in combat, and I believe slightly more fuel capacity between the two tanks compared to the single internal fuel cell.


Dupes, I’m with you on 113 variants. I still have quite a few more types in my stash to tackle… plus a few more I’d love to add… :

Ahhhh that makes sense. 

[kyledehart5]

Hmmm. I’ve been asleep while this has beeen happening I see. That looks nice so far.

[stikpusher]

Now that my RSOV and Oscar are completed, this one is back on deck as my main project. I created some brush guards for the rear antenna mounts using a straw, and I made some antenna mount bases for the two for the forward antennas that Academy neglected to include.



Next up is getting stowage in place then it’ll be ready for priming & painting.

[handiabled]

Great to see this one back on your bench again!

[406 Silverado]

I missed this when you first posted it Carlos but I’m scooping it up now. Nice additions as far as the antennas and conduit piping goes. You were right about the juice box straws alright. Those do indeed come in handy. Lol

[stikpusher]

Brent & Joe, thank you!

More progress to report today…

Over the past few days I’ve been working on stowage for this beast… thank goodness for Tamiya, Value Gear, and my spares bin…









Aside from some MRE and bottled water cases to be added after priming and painting, this thing is ready for primer and paint now…

[handiabled]

The added stowage really adds to the look of this.

[lyle]

Man, that is really shaping up! The stowage adds so much.

[stikpusher]

Brent & Lyle, thank you! The stowage sure gives that "lived in" look.

[stikpusher]

Finally more progress! I was able to get this under a coat of primer… Mig Ammo One Shot Brown





Next up… Sand base color…

[buddho]

Stowage adds a nice, realistic touch...looking fab!

[kyledehart5]

Looking nice in primer. Agreed about the stowage. Sure does bring some life to the party.

[stikpusher]

Buddho & Kyle, thank you.

Seriously, a military vehicle without any stowage of any sort just looks so naked… 🤨
Unless it’s on parade or in a motor pool… 🤔

[Leon]

This is coming along nicely Carlos!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Leon! Not too much more stuff left to do on this. 😁

[stikpusher]

Today I was able to airbrush on a coat of Polly Scale Desert Storm Sand, plus some Tamiya CARC/NATO Green in selected areas. It came out ok, but not quite as good as intended, since the polly Scale paint was not performing optimally, alternating between tip dry and splatter...





we shall see how much free time that I get in the coming week to hopefully get this thing wrapped up soon...

[handiabled]

Looks great with the sand color shot on it!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Brent! Now comes the fun part of all the detail painting…😯

[brandonk]

She looks great. Only just started painting and it already has depth and character.

[stikpusher]

Jun 23, 2024 10:02:12 GMT -5 brandonk said:

She looks great. Only just started painting and it already has depth and character.

Thanks Brandon.  Yeah, it's got plenty of character when it's already loaded down like a gypsy wagon 

[stikpusher]

More progress on this over the past weekend... I was able to get the basic colors onto the stowage, aside from the tow cable, spare track shoes, and the tie down straps...





hopefully I should have more finished by the end of next weekend...