AFV Edition The link-and-length tracks supplied in the kit are very
nice and are pretty quick to assemble, but the author is a
sucker for Friulmodel’s individual working-tracks. They are
certainly more time-consuming to assemble, but do look
great in place and offer that ultra-realistic top-run 'sag'An engine deck field-rack was scratchbuilt using plastic angle and strip.
Thanks to the Facebook page dedicated to the M551 in Vietnam set-up
by the Editor, I was able to replicate the rack using some of the
amazing photos that have been posted. A mixture of ‘mini-gun’
boxes and water and fuel jerrycans bulk it out
In this head-on view the belly armour is clear to see. On the real vehicles,
this plate is made from titanium and was supplied as part of a kit that
usually included two sections mounted under the sponsons, above the
front two roadwheelsThe commander’s .50cal machine gun is from the kit, where as the
additional loader’s ‘Ma Deuce’ was cobbled together using parts from
the spare’s boxThe driver’s compartment is supplied
as a basic a tub, into which the driver
figure is intended to reside. Tamiya do
include an accurate hatch, with some
nicely detailed periscopes. In time, the
aftermarket companies will hopefully
produce some interior detailing sets