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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
The Lifer - M54 & M113 Vietnam Guntruck
sherb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2004
KitMaker: 752 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 03:32 AM UTC
I started gathering these parts before AFV Club announced their King Cobra combo kit. Oh well.

sherb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2004
KitMaker: 752 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 03:34 AM UTC
And since I have a tendency to not finish projects I post about, I waited until it was built and ready for paint before I posted.

sherb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2004
KitMaker: 752 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 03:35 AM UTC
With paint. I used Tamiya Nato Black.

sherb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2004
KitMaker: 752 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 03:41 AM UTC
The M113 and canvas cover aren't glued in place yet. Still have some detail work to do in the cab as well as create the armored windows.

Obviously I've still got to add the three .50 cals. Not much of a guntruck without them.


sherb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2004
KitMaker: 752 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 03:52 AM UTC
There were only 5 pictures of "The Lifer" that I found, two of which were taken at a distance so there are some things I'm not 100% sure on.

The rear corner lift rings on the top of the M113 were removed.
There was one present in front of the driver, which I need to add.
I managed to break off the bilge pump outlet, that was also present on the real version.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 08:36 AM UTC
Looking great. I did similarly a long time ago (2004-ish) by converting/kitbashing an M925 for the frame and loadbed, a modified M35A2 cab, an Academy M113, and a bunch of scratch building to make my own King Cobra. I have since replaced the wheels with a set of Real Model tires/wheels.





More here.
sherb
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New York, United States
Joined: August 25, 2004
KitMaker: 752 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 10:42 AM UTC
Wow, you did that M54 conversion the hard way Gino. Looks great.
Were the turnbuckles scratch built?

HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2020 - 11:29 AM UTC
Thaks. It was a fun, but involved conversion. The turnbuckles came in the Italeri M925 w/shelter kit to secure the shelter.



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