Am I opening a can of worms here? I think I am...M113...

[Panther Al]

Originally Posted by HorseSoldier

Would definitely get the job done as well, though without the war-fuzzy Teutonic feel of a turretless assault gun (Though a short barrel 105mm howitzer might provide indirect fire options other systems did not.)

But I like StuG's! Nothing says loving like a tank shorter than you, with a shell larger than a script kiddies ego!


Though, the idea of using a D30 instead of a 105 does make one go hrmm... After all, the D30 is a proven performer that does have a much heavier throw weight for not much more cost in size and weight over a 105. There is a reason why the Germans was talking about switching to a 12.8cm howitzer from the 10.5cm/15cm combo during WW2: The increase in terminal performance vastly outweighed the penalties of a slightly larger (or smaller in the case of the 15cm) gun.

[Cpl. Kalkwarf]

The only problem I see with that particular Stug113 is that the gun looks like it has no traverse what so ever. It would suck as an anti vehicle stug. having to make even minor adjustments by having the driver twist left and right would be down right daunting.

[Webstral]

The infantry being supported probably won't care whether the fire is coming from a 105mm gun/howitzer or a 90mm low-pressure gun. They'll be glad to be getting some direct fire support where tanks might be scarce.

[Legbreaker]

It's worth pointing out that 75mm guns were deemed sufficient in at least the earlier stages of WWII for infantry support. By comparison, 90mm and 105mm are overkill.
However, Maxim No 37 comes into play here: There is no overkill. "Only open fire" and "time to reload."

[StainlessSteelCynic]

More M113 variants, this one is an air defence vehicle from Singapore.
Like the M113 that mounted a ZSU-23-2, this is a US vehicle carrying a Soviet/Russian weapon system - the 9K38 Igla IR-homing missile.




Damn! If I keep this up I'll be the M113 fanboy of the forum but at least I won't be as bad as "you-know-who-who-wants-all-M113s-called-Gavin" hahaha!

[StainlessSteelCynic]

And I found another image - M113 with Hellfire missile pods

[Schone23666]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

More M113 variants, this one is an air defence vehicle from Singapore.
Like the M113 that mounted a ZSU-23-2, this is a US vehicle carrying a Soviet/Russian weapon system - the 9K38 Igla IR-homing missile.




Damn! If I keep this up I'll be the M113 fanboy of the forum but at least I won't be as bad as "you-know-who-who-wants-all-M113s-called-Gavin" hahaha!

LOL, that's an interesting combination. I'd expect you'd see modifications like that popping up in countries that have decent, if not large quantities of both Western/American/NATO and Russian/former Soviet Union/former Warsaw Pact equipment. Southeast Asia and most areas of Africa are two regions that come to mind...

As for Mr. Gavin Fanboy whathisname, dont' worry, likely you already gave him an erection (likely his first).

[Webstral]

I do like that Hellfire variant. A couple of these could provide anti-tank defenses for an assault gun formation.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by Schone23666

As for Mr. Gavin Fanboy whathisname, dont' worry, likely you already gave him an erection (likely his first).

I LOLed - in fact I snorted with laughter and scared the cat!
Sadly, Mr M113 Fanboy likely has most of the M113 variants we've posted here, already listed on his "M113 idolatry" page.

And just to keep things moving, to quote a series of television ads "but wait, there's more..."

A museum site with a Hellfire M113 prototype http://www.heartlandmuseum.com/album..._photos_7.html giving some basic information.
More pics of the vehicle itself




Turkish air defence vehicle - M113 with Stinger launcher, named ATILGAN
(very large image) http://defenceproducts.ssm.gov.tr/Pr...AN/ATILGAN.jpg


Danish M113G3 DK Ambulance Extended - image from http://www.armyvehicles.dk


Another Danish M113, fitted with a dozer blade. http://www.armyvehicles.dk/m113dozer.htm has some additional information


And more Danish M113s, a Close Protection M113, used to screen the Danish tank platoon in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Notice the rubber "band track" fitted in place of the regular metal link track. Benefits are said to be less vibration, less noise, less maintenance, increased passenger comfort and increased track life. It's been stated on MilitaryPhotos.Net that Denmark is fitting this track to all it's M113s after service trials in Iraq & Afghanistan proved the benefits. http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...-Forever/page5



And finally to finish up, the ARISGATOR, an M113 made into a mini LVTP-7/AAVP-7A1

Plenty info and more images at the following sites: -
http://www.arisspa.it/inglese/arisgator.htm
http://www.aris-spa.it/prodotto.php?...sgator&sez=img
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1007.html


While I don't worship the M113 like "you-know-who" somebody must have done something right for it to be so well represented around the world for near on 50 years now - it's practically the Model T Ford of armoured vehicles.