The AMX-13 project by RGL - Heller - 1/35

[RGL]

Back in the 1970’s my dad bought me the Heller 1/35 AMX-13/155 artillery piece. At the time it was the hardest thing I had ever build, it was atrocious, using 1970’s model glue and the impatience of a child under 10 does not make for any type of accomplishment.

 

so a few years later (well into the next century)  I bought the kit again and found via scalemates a few others of the series as well. These are 1970’s kit and as rare as rocking horse poop. EBay does have some in the US but the shipping prices are just ridiculous as they may as well get their own airline seat. 
 

so my next project for next years show will be a French Artillery convoy! 

I’ve not got 4, the cannon, the crew vehicle, the APC and the first aid carrier. If I can get the AA gun I’ll go that too. 
 

Part 1

Edited September 11, 2023 by ccoyle
corrected title format

[RGL]

So these are 1970’s models. There is aftermarket (I’ll replace tracks etc) but they will be a challenge but damn it I’ve been looking forward to this. It’s taken 12 months of research to get these 4 kits 

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/heller-81151-amx-13-155--147131

 

 

[Egilman]

That Twin anti-aircraft gun is probably the rarest of them all...

 

I'm here my friend..

[Canute]

I'll be tagging along, too.

 

We had a French unit at Bitburg, Germany, that provided some anti aircraft protection. They augmented a US Army HAWK missile unit there. Saturday nights got multi lingual  in downtown Bitburg.

[RGL]

There’s one available on EBay, I’d pay $76 for the kit but $93 for postage is having a lend quite frankly 

[RGL]

Superglue and accelerator makes this build a lot easier, the engineering is not Tamiya but lines up ok. This kit comes with the option to make it the artillery support vehicle but I’ll just go for the personnel carrier 

[RGL]

Now it supposed to look like this. Looks comfy

[RGL]

So a good days work really. My plan is to have the rear area open 

[RGL]

So a bit of scratch building for the interior of the cabin. 

[RGL]

So It's supposed to end up like this

[Canute]

Doing a nice job with the added details. 👍

[popeye the sailor]

nice to see these rare kits....they look so cool!    great job with the detail........Awesome! 

[RGL]

So interior cabin painted 

[RGL]

Lid glued down, lots of sanding and putty and sanding to go. Next time (I’m going to do 3 more of these chassis yet, I won’t put the axles on 

[RGL]

So done and ready for paint

 

next! 

[RGL]

Part 2

The plastic is different on this one, darker and harder, still pretty much the same 1976 quality 

[RGL]

Nice big open cabin on this one 

[RGL]

[RGL]

Racks and stretchers done. 

[Javlin]

So Greg the PE that was added some bits and parts left over from other builds?I find it very convincing and the troop carrier looks compact.

[RGL]

That and plastic card. The interior walls need it as the axles are all visible. I am enjoying these builds.

[RGL]

The interior done. Bloody clumsy work. Still, very different 

[RGL]

Seriously it goes togeather so much easier this way. Tomorrow I can get the axles done then on to #3

Edited September 27, 2023 by RGL

[RGL]

[RGL]

Undercarriage done and ready for number 3

[RGL]

So Open source, I wish they made the trailer but they did'nt!

[RGL]

Hello 1976 

[RGL]

This is the third and last APC, seats for the AMX-13/155 crew and 155mm ammo. 

Edited September 29, 2023 by RGL

[RGL]

So this is the little 155mm carrier with some aftermarket/ scratch built stuff. 

[RGL]

Painted and closed up. This is going to need some putty