Tamiya 35040 - 1:35 M113 APC

1:35 plastic model kit of the American M113 armoured personnel carrier

Tamiya 35040 depicts the M113 armoured personnel carrier in its baseline version – the vehicle whose light aluminium hull made it the most widely produced APC of its era. The model is built from tooling dating from 1974, part of the classic period of the Military Miniature Series.

The kit stands out for its full interior, including a detailed engine that can be revealed by opening the engine compartment cover. The rear troop ramp and the commander's hatch can also be assembled in the open position, showing off the troop compartment. An M2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun is mounted at the commander's station. Five figures from the Vietnam War period and decals for US and West German markings round out the package.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, interior and fittings
• Detailed troop compartment interior with engine
• Opening engine cover, rear ramp and commander's hatch
• M2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun
• Vinyl band tracks
• Five figures from the Vietnam War period
• Waterslide decal sheet – US and West German markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35040
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 139 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (detailed interior)

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The simple box-shaped hull and the vinyl band tracks make for a quick build that is well within reach of less experienced modellers. The one area that calls for a little planning is the interior: it is worth painting the troop compartment and engine before closing up the hull, since access afterwards is very limited. If you plan to build the model with the hatches closed, the interior can be treated more sparingly – a decision best made before assembly begins.

US Army vehicles of the Vietnam War era are typically finished in olive drab (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), while the West German option uses the dark olive shade of the period. A wash brings out the detail nicely, and pigments on the running gear and tracks suggest mud and dust. Military vehicle models are usually finished with a matt varnish.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M113:

The M113 was designed by FMC as a carrier light enough to be moved by air, yet roomy enough to carry a full infantry squad. The key was the aluminium hull – a novel solution at the time, which brought the weight down to around 11–12 tonnes and made the vehicle amphibious without preparation.

Production began in 1960. Powered by a 209 hp Chrysler 75M V8 petrol engine, the carrier took a crew of two and eleven infantrymen. It saw its baptism of fire in Vietnam, where its simple design, cross-country mobility and fast dismount through the rear ramp proved a major asset – even though the aluminium armour protected only against fragments and small arms fire.

More than 80,000 M113s were built in countless variants, from command and ambulance vehicles to mortar and missile carriers. The type entered service with dozens of armies and, more than six decades on, is still in use – making it one of the longest-serving armoured vehicles in history.

Original vehicle specifications (M113):

• Length: approx. 4.86 m
• Width: approx. 2.69 m
• Height: approx. 2.50 m
• Combat weight: approx. 11–12 t
• Crew: 2 plus 11 dismounts
• Armament: M2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun
• Powerplant: Chrysler 75M V8 petrol engine, 209 hp
• Hull: aluminium
• Amphibious capability: yes
• Production: from 1960 (FMC), over 80,000 built

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company started out in the timber trade, but by the late 1940s it was producing wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first plastic model kit. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this M113 belongs, runs to hundreds of items and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.