US Marine (C.I.A) M113 AS4, assigned to Honduras

[chrisonord]

Many of the vehicles assigned to Honduras belong to the C.I.A, and work alongside the Marine contingent, one such vehicle is the M113 AS4, this vehicle serves as a command vehicle as well as transport for both C.I.A, and D.E.A operatives. The D.E.A don't have any armour based in honduras so share with the C.I.A, as they are both working as part of the same team. The model is a cast in one piece item by Uncle Les in Austrailia, and is in 1/72nd scale. Just had to paint this thing, no building as such.




Cheers,
Chris.

[NARSES2]

Interesting. I've not seen that turret on an M113 before

[Thorvic]

Interesting. I've not seen that turret on an M113 before

Not even the Australian ones with the Saladin Turret and later Scorpion turrets as JB did the former in their range ?

[Dizzyfugu]

Australia used to operate the early M113 with a British Saladin turret:



This one here looks like a more modern variant?

[chrisonord]

The turret on the bottom version is the same one as on my M113 AS4, the casting is a bit crude on the turret, but you can tell that it is the same as that one.
Chris.

[Weaver]

Nice one Chris! 

Aus operated M113s with both Saladin and Scorpion turrets as fire-support/recce vehicles.

The AS4 is a rebuild of the troop-carrier version though, with a hull stretch (extra roadwheel) and a new MG turret with, IIRC, a .50 cal and a 7.62 mg. Apparently it's not rated much of a success.

[rickshaw]

Nice one Chris! 

Aus operated M113s with both Saladin and Scorpion turrets as fire-support/recce vehicles.

The AS4 is a rebuild of the troop-carrier version though, with a hull stretch (extra roadwheel) and a new MG turret with, IIRC, a .50 cal and a 7.62 mg. Apparently it's not rated much of a success.

Like everything, its complicated.  When first proposed, it was an excellent upgrade to the standard M113.  Dithering and contract creep has prolonged it's introduction into service considerably and today, the world has moved on and MICVs have become more dominant and theAS4 is rather dated.   It was initially conceived as being being a simple upgrade - extend the hull and add a new turret to replace the T150 turret the Australian M113s were equipped with.   Then it's scope was increased, with added armour and a spall liner.  Manufacture was slowed, to spread the costs and that actually increased the total cost of the contract.  Then they decided they'd spread the time and that increased the contract cost again.   So, today the M113AS4 is looking decidedly outdated.  Still the best APC in the Oceania region, except for the Indonesian Marders and the Singaporean Bionix...   

[chrisonord]

This was the quickest "build" I have ever done I think, and a refreshing change from fighting with badly fitting putty monsters from the former Soviet block
Chris.

[Captain Canada]

Nice work, I love the ones with the extra fuel. Not really up on the names or variants tho. Thanks for the pics as well guys !