M113 ACAV - Vietnam

What have we here then.... This is one of those projects that ran away with itself. Previously I had a commission for some JB Model ACAV M113's ( in my flickr somewhere) which i did with some SHQ "riders". In a moment of madness I thought i'd try and improve using the S Models kits, overlooking the "ACAV" bit! Anyways after some helpfull chaps over on the guild (Alan "Dadmassu" & Phil "Tinned Fruit") sorted me out with their excess ACAV turrets I was good to go. 

The four M113's have been built with commanders turrets ( mixture of SHQ and S&S figures) but with the rear open, some rear doors opened up and two with fixed MG shields.

The infantry figures are SHQ that I have configured togetther so that they fit on the rear decks of the M113. there are three "sabots" of infantry, plus two "plug-in" MG gunner sets. Hopefully this should be obvious in the pictures below.

The S models kit is clearly superior to the JB/Airfix, but lack of the ACAV turret does make things difficult! In general i'm really pleased with how these came out, although the pictures aren't really up to scratch.

I've had my fun with these so tehy will need new homes, one way or another, anybody interested then just shout!

neil"at"troop-of-shewe.co.uk

As always full photo shoot up on flickr.

PS. I'm away with "real" work next week so thats effectively two weekends of painting wiped out,  and my comms may be a bit intermitterant, please bear with me......

Vietnam - Sheridan M551

These have been on my desk for a while, as with the SU12, if its fiddly or involves extensive modification it requires more time... and these were both fiddly and extensively modified! The basic kit is the 20mm S-Models Sheridan, sourced from Plastic Soldier Company.

 I saved some build pics as I went so the Mods are detailed as below:

One hull was opened up to add a driver, and the bird cage mounts have been completed. I now use Sgts Mess .50 cals for models intended for gaming as they are much sturdier than their plactic counterparts. Various additional stowage has been added to the front of the turrets, along with headlight gaurds and ammunition box straps.

The rear stowage boxes were tricky. A basic cage was formed from wire and then mesh added, green stiff and resin stowage then covered any inperfections. 

Here is the initial base colours, no specific fancy techniques here, basic airbrush highlighting to achieve some tonal variation. Whilst modulation is all the rage at the moment, these are to fit into an existing commission which has scale appropriate colouring.

The crew figures are a mixture of S&S Models SHQ. 

Ta Da! all done. 

I have a few Vietnam pieces just finished, included is an infantry platoon ( yes, I do figures as well.....and aircraft, ships, spaceships.........

Off to the shed now for some extended airbrushing hours, but will post up when I get five.

As always, more pictures on my flickr which contains my complete portfolio of work, 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop-of-shewe/sets/

and there's a link to the side where you can subscribe to my intermittant postings.