"M113-A1" - the American armored transporter

One of the world's most popular tracked armored vehicles (if not the most popular) - M113. His base has been created with endless modifications; he has participated in many military conflicts. Made for over 40 years. 80,000 tracked armored vehicles M113 are in operation in military units of NATO countries. Every year it becomes more and more modern. These armored transporters also serve in the Lithuanian army. The development of the M113 began just a decade after World War II. In January 1956 the military placed an order for the development of a tracked armored transporter, that could replace the M59 and M75, used by the American army at the time. Initially, the role of a landing vehicle was envisaged for the new armored vehicle - it was supposed to reach the battlefield from a ship or plane, transport infantry, artillery guns and ammunition. Based on the experience of operating the expensive and immobile M59 armored transporter, the US corporation "Food Machinery and Chemical Corp." 1957 - 1958 built the T113 armored transporter. After successful tests and numerous technical changes in 1960 the tracked armored car went into series production as the M113. Until 1985 produced more than 40,000 units of 18 modifications of armored vehicles, which were sold to 29 countries. The body of the M113 is made of an alloyed aluminum alloy. The new modernized chassis was strong and resistant to damage. The top of the body of the armored transporter is equipped with the driver's and commander's hatches and at the back there is a hydraulically lowered platform with doors. At the front, above the sealed cover of the power plant, there is a smoke grenade device, that fires smoke charges. An 8-cylinder 5920 cm3, 134 KW (209 h.p.) gasoline "Chysler" A 710B engine is installed in the engine compartment. The combat weight of the armored car is 10.4 tons. The M113 can accommodate 12 soldiers and a driver. In 1975 the gasoline engine was replaced with a more economical and durable Detroit Diesel 6 V 53 type engine. It is a 6-cylinder two-stroke 5220 cm3, 154 KW (210 h. p.) liquid-cooled engine. All units, produced since 1965, have their gasoline engines, replaced by diesel engines and have been designated M113 A1 G. Transporters, equipped with an ABC (atomic, biological, chemical weapon) protection system, are M113 A2 G. Machine M113 with a front-mounted wave deflector plate can swim in water. Therefore, the swimming speed is low - only 6 km/h. Later the German army equipped the armored car with newer optics, IR (infrared) night vision device, radio communication equipment, armament, lighting and control devices and designated it M113G (Germany). In 1978 larger sanitary and command post armored vehicles were constructed. With six (five in the base model) support wheels a more powerful 6V 53 TIA295 KW (400 h.p.) engine and gearbox, as well as a new steering system (round steering wheel), improved hydraulics, installed winches and a lifting crane MTVL (Medium Technical Vehicle - Light), no longer able to swim, made of the same alloy aluminum alloy, but with additional protective armor. Electronically controlled fuel injection. The crew of the battle machine consists of 2 or 3 people. Estimated to carry 10 armed soldiers. The Canadian military ordered: M113 A3 IFM - defensive armored vehicle, MTVR - adapted for combat in restricted areas, MTVF (Fittler) - with a lifting crane. After the Lithuanian army received armored vehicles M 113 from the German army and the need arose to start training their drivers, in cooperation with the Vyborg Armament School of the Royal Danish Armed Forces, in the training regimen of the Great Lithuanian Hetman Jonuš Radvila in 2001. January 2 it is planned to establish an M 113 armored vehicle training center. Danish instructors in 2001 September 10-21 prepared the first nine M 113 armored personnel carrier training instructors: j. p.s. Aleksandras Balionis, Mr. Sgt. Raimondas Busilas, Mr. Sgt. Vaidotas Augulis, Sgt. Bernarda Krasauskas, Sgt. Sauliu Kiseliauskas, j. Sgt. Antanas Guobis, j. Sgt. Boris Pilnikova, gr. Saulius Laisons and gr. Rolandas Satkūnas. Of the Minister of National Defense in 2001 March 14 by order no. 321 the M 113 driver training center was established in the training regimen of the Great Hetman of Lithuania Jonušas Radvila (address: Rukla, Jonavas district). In 2001 from December 5 to 16 the first M 113 driver training course was held, which was completed by 12 soldiers. In 2001 - in 2010 98 course programs were issued and 1080 soldiers were trained. The soldiers of the Military Engineering and Reconnaissance schools and the Armored Training Center M 113, while performing their duties, regularly participated not only in the course exercises conducted in their units, but also in the various level exercises of other units, both in Lithuania and abroad. Soldiers also participated in various courses and seminars, organized by Lithuanian and foreign armies, as well as in international missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A complex, well-detailed and designed model, suitable only for intermediate modellers. Detailed combat and engine compartment, many external "hug" details, tracks only from individual tracks, three-color camouflage. The best way to "turn" this model into a Lithuanian one is with computer rendering programs.