Aussies On The Move (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Here’s a little preview of what’s ‘in the works’ for collectors of K&C’s “Australians In Vietnam” range of figures... THE M113 A1 Armoured Personnel Carrier. The first American-made M113’s arrived in Australia in March 1965 and procurement would continue until 1979. By that time, 817 vehicles had been purchased in 8 different variants.

Aussie M113’s Left Australia for South Vietnam at the end of April 1965. Most infantry-carrying M113’s were armed with a .50 cal. heavy machine-gun on a pintle mount attached to the crew commander’s cupola.

Operational experience soon confirmed that the crew commander was dangerously exposed and required some armoured protection.

So, in typical Aussie fashion, armoured shields were made in Vietnam and installed on vehicles as a ‘field modification’ from August 1965 onwards.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE​

M113’s were used in a multitude of different tasks in Vietnam but ‘troop transport’ remained their principal role although convoy escort, independent patrolling and combat resupply also figured in their deployment.

Our K&C model bears the call sign ’22 BRAVO’ and is typical of the vehicles employed during the period 1965-68. The model itself comes with a half-body driver and a full-bodied, black beret-wearing vehicle commander up behind the .50 cal. on top.

We’re also releasing an ‘add-on’ set of 3x sitting Aussie Infantrymen who can be placed in a variety of positions on top of the M113 hull or even on the ground next to it.

Release date is scheduled for April / May 2019... We had hoped to get it out earlier than this but Chinese New Year always causes delays at the factories in China as everyone disappears for a couple of weeks of well-earned rest!

I really like this little fighting vehicle and hope some of you will too. Enjoy the Preview!

Best wishes and happy collecting,
Andy

 

[wayne556517]

Well done Andy looks brilliant mate

 

[TomNT]

They look great Andy and I know a bloke in Hidden Valley Victoria Australia will be counting Aussie M113's in his sleep tonight....^&grin

Tom

 

[Obee]

Andy,

great to see what was planned for, 6 months ago,



is now almost ready for release ….

Looking forward to seeing your new M113 in July when you again head 'down under,

Well Done on another fine addition to the Vietnam range,

John

 

[Horus]

Looks great, I'd better start saving ^&grin

Steve

 

[Sentaapua]

Love at first sight... that sums it all! :wink2:

 

[jazzeum]

Nice looking but will there be an American one. If so, I will wait for that one.

 

[nysoldiers]

Good looking vehicle but will wait for the American and Israeli versions.........

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hi Guys,

Here’s a little preview of what’s ‘in the works’ for collectors of K&C’s “Australians In Vietnam” range of figures... THE M113 A1 Armoured Personnel Carrier. The first American-made M113’s arrived in Australia in March 1965 and procurement would continue until 1979. By that time, 817 vehicles had been purchased in 8 different variants.

Aussie M113’s Left Australia for South Vietnam at the end of April 1965. Most infantry-carrying M113’s were armed with a .50 cal. heavy machine-gun on a pintle mount attached to the crew commander’s cupola.

Operational experience soon confirmed that the crew commander was dangerously exposed and required some armoured protection.

So, in typical Aussie fashion, armoured shields were made in Vietnam and installed on vehicles as a ‘field modification’ from August 1965 onwards.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE​

M113’s were used in a multitude of different tasks in Vietnam but ‘troop transport’ remained their principal role although convoy escort, independent patrolling and combat resupply also figured in their deployment.

Our K&C model bears the call sign ’22 BRAVO’ and is typical of the vehicles employed during the period 1965-68. The model itself comes with a half-body driver and a full-bodied, black beret-wearing vehicle commander up behind the .50 cal. on top.

We’re also releasing an ‘add-on’ set of 3x sitting Aussie Infantrymen who can be placed in a variety of positions on top of the M113 hull or even on the ground next to it.

Release date is scheduled for April / May 2019... We had hoped to get it out earlier than this but Chinese New Year always causes delays at the factories in China as everyone disappears for a couple of weeks of well-earned rest!

I really like this little fighting vehicle and hope some of you will too. Enjoy the Preview!

Best wishes and happy collecting,
Andy

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View attachment 242601

Looks great, Andy!^&cool^&cool I'm going to buy an extra one so I can use the commander and head and shoulder crewman in the holes under the opening hatches in my wood M113.:salute::

 

[desk11desk12]

Very nice Andy:

Hope to see a US version soon. Otherwise, will have to pass on this one....To my Aussie friends; enjoy.

Carlos

 

[villagehorse]

I think one of these could navigate to my man cave. Good looking vehicle Andy. :salute::Robin.

 

[wwiibuff]

Looks great Andy!

 

[Northgate Woods]

Andy mate,
What can one say but OUTSTANDING cobber. Been waiting for this vehicle to be released (in which I served a lot of my army career in) for many, many years now. 2019 is going to be, with the coming of this vehicle and in July the mighty Centurion the best year of my 15 years of collecting K&C. Saving my pennies for a first purchase of three to make up a section (22, 22A & 22B) before moving on to a full troop of 13. ( Troop HQ 20A, 20B, 20J, 20M and the other two sections 21, 21A, 21B, 23, 23A & 23B)
Sent these photos out to all my Aussies In NAM collectors and pre orders without even a price yet have been rolling in.

Cheers from the Land Down Under, Howard:salute::

 

[villagehorse]

Sounds like a second different set of riders would go down nicely also. Would they have also ridden on the Centurion Howard? Robin.

 

[OzDigger]

Thank you so much Andy and others involved in the development, I never thought I'd see the day when there would be such a variety of Aussie based sets available in the Toy Soldier hobby.

 

[Northgate Woods]

Sounds like a second different set of riders would go down nicely also. Would they have also ridden on the Centurion Howard? Robin.

Robin mate,
The answer is basically No. The M113 was the main means of transporting infantry and the mighty Centurion was used as fire support. Not nice to be on the back of a Cent when it fire a 20 pdr canister round. There were however occasions when wounded infantry would be placed on the back as the Cents withdrew, so as to return these diggers to the dust off point.
I have also seen photos of our Kiwi cousins riding on the back of the Cent. Not my cup of tea but Kiwis are Kiwis.^&grin^&grin

Cheers Howard

 

[Obee]

Good looking vehicle but will wait for the American and Israeli versions.........

That's was discussed in July with Andy when we were all talking about the M113 for the Aussies in Vietnam.

The same basic sculpt can be slightly modified with add-ons for the particular forces using the vehicle, then as different paint finish and crew, and hey … 3 new vehicles, and most economical for the manufacturer

We shall see what the rest of this year brings ????

John

 

[gk5717]

What a disappointment. I will wait for the American version.
Gary

 

[Northgate Woods]

What a disappointment. I will wait for the American version.
Gary

Gary mate,
Were you disappointed in K&C model of the M113??? Or were you disappointed that the Aussie version came out first??? I know if the U.S. version had come first I would have been slightly disappointed but after a 7 year wait would have purchased the U.S. version of it anyway.
I have the entire range of U.S. NAM figures and vehicles and keenly away the released of the M42 Duster which were on the perimeter of the Aussie Fire Support Base Coral when it was attacked in 1968 manned of course by U.S. Artillerymen.
Patience in the TS world is a great virtue.:smile2: I first asked about the release of the mighty Centurion at the K&C Dinner in Brisbane in 2009.^&grin

Cheers Howard

 

[gk5717]

Gary mate,
Were you disappointed in K&C model of the M113??? Or were you disappointed that the Aussie version came out first??? I know if the U.S. version had come first I would have been slightly disappointed but after a 7 year wait would have purchased the U.S. version of it anyway.
I have the entire range of U.S. NAM figures and vehicles and keenly away the released of the M42 Duster which were on the perimeter of the Aussie Fire Support Base Coral when it was attacked in 1968 manned of course by U.S. Artillerymen.
Patience in the TS world is a great virtue.:smile2: I first asked about the release of the mighty Centurion at the K&C Dinner in Brisbane in 2009.^&grin

Cheers Howard

I was disappointed that the Aussie version came out first. I understand K&C has a big Aussie following and that money talks so I get it. I will say I have bought all the Aussie figures so for but as stated I will pass on this and the centurion tank.
Gary