1:35 Australian Army M113A1 LRV with DIEHL 513B tracks - AFV CLUB

M113A1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle- a standard M113A1 with a Cadillac Gage T50 turret as used on the V100/V150 series of armored cars, mounting two Browning machine guns, a .30 caliber and a M2 .50 caliber machine gun. While the standard armored personnel carrier version in Australian service is also fitted with the T50 turret, it initially carried only twin .30 caliber machine guns. In later service, the LRV and APC versions both carried the 30/50 combination and the only difference between them was roles. LRVs, which carried a crew of 2 or 3, were used in the sabre troops of the Cavalry regiment and the recon troop of the Armoured regiment. In practise, an LRV was also perfectly capable of carrying troops, though in perhaps somewhat more cramped conditions as LRVs often carried additional stores and ammunition and had seats removed and replaced with storage lockers. For a short period of time in Vietnam, the Aircraft Armaments Incorporated Model 74C Cupola/Command Station was used, but it was quickly replaced by the T50. Also used by the New Zealand Army until the M113 was replaced in 2005. The T50 turret was initially fitted with an optical sight, however in later years this was removed and the guns were solely aimed using ranging bursts of 6-10 rounds (2 tracer). The diesel burning heater is removed from the M113A1 – though numerous diggers note that this is not the case with the Australian Army's M577s.

THE KIT:

• New style DIEHL 513B tracks.
• Australian-specific F88 series rifles.