"Adjusting Track Tension" Vietnam 1967

[JamesOLeary]

Back in 2018 I built the AFV Club M113 to be entered in some local IPMS and AMPS shows as an Armor entry. As such, some of the shows limited the number of crew members to 2 figures and they could not be doing much. So, with that limitation, I only included a figure pulling security behind the .50. I had the intent to expand it into a diorama, something I had not done until recently. When I used this M113 as a backdrop for the boxart for the figure adjusting track tension, I decided that now I knew what kind of diorama I was going to create.

This diorama still depicts track C-13 pulling security for engineers engaged in land clearing operations during Operation Santa Fe in December 1967, but now we have the addition of the driver adjusting track tension with a grease gun, the M60 gunner learning the task, and the squad leader supervising. The two standing figures are Bravo 6 figures with Hornet heads. They are painted with acrylics. After I took these photos, I realized that I forgot to add two M16s to the diorama. They have since been added.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James

 

[errains]

Great looking dio James. Of course your figures are outstating as is the 113 track!

 

[moon puppy]

Love it James, why on earth would they limit the figures?

 

[Iron Mike]

Looking good, James!

 

[JamesOLeary]

Thanks, guys. I am happy with how it turned out. I just hope the figures on the ground are glued on sturdy enough to withstand the vibration of being transported to shows on these outstanding Oklahoma roads.

MP, I am not sure why they limit the number of figures on armor entries at the show in Arlington, TX. For some reason you can only have two and they cannot be in action poses otherwise they count it as a diorama. I always thought that was odd. It is the only show that regularly attend where all but a few armor entries have no figures whatsoever.

 

[helios]

Awesome end result.

 

[Rhino]

Absolutely OUT-Funking-Standing! Do you plan to do a 114? Takom makes a dandy 1/35 kit, but I still won't buy from ChiComs.

 

[Piet]

Excellence in all the model building and painting disciplines.

 

[JamesOLeary]

Thanks. I am glad ya'll like it.

 

[JamesOLeary]

Absolutely OUT-Funking-Standing! Do you plan to do a 114? Takom makes a dandy 1/35 kit, but I still won't buy from ChiComs.

Thanks. I am glad it turned out well. I probably won't do a M114. I don't know much about them and don't know anyone that served on one, so it will be more M113s and other vehicles used in Vietnam in my modeling future.

 

[Tojo72]

Fantastic scene,the figure doing the work looks like he sweated thru the back of his shirt.

 

[Steve Ski]

You are a master at storytelling, James! Beautiful work, buddy!

 

[JamesOLeary]

Thanks, guys. I guess I am starting to get my modeling mojo back. Oh, do behave!

Cheers,
James

 

[helios]

But it's so much funner when you don't.