AMX 13/105

AMX 13/105 modèle 58

ref : Takom #2062 AMX-13/105
FC Modeltrend # 35922 AMX-13 105 mm barrel

In 1956 tests were conducted to mount a 105 mm into the AMX 13 mle 51. The gun was derived from the one designed for the AMX 30. Officially named CN-105-57 the gun had a double baffle muzzle brake so it could be used in the AMX 13. The modified turret was denominated FL12. The commander had a ring mount for a self defense MG similar to the one of the EBR.

To cope with the new turret the newer type 2D hull was developed. It had 4 return rollers and 2 exterior Monroe shock absorbers per side. The new idler wheel was reinforced and the ground clearance was higher.

The AMX 13/105 never entered service with the French army. In 1961 the Netherlands procured 131 AMX 13 mle 58 along with recovery tanks, APC mle 56 and 105 mm howitzers.

Argentina placed an order for 58 AMX 13 mle 58 in 1967. In 1979 Argentina replaced the SOFAM engine by a diesel Deutz engine and used the MAG 58 as the coaxial MG. Those tanks with the new engine have a rectangular engine grille and a large bin on the right front side. Many of those tanks have a rubber side skirt on the front right side of the running gear.

Argentina maintained in service the AMX 13 mle 58 until 2012. In addition to the Netherlands and Argentina, Lebanon, Ecuador and Peru also used the AMX 13/105.

The FL12 turret was fitted to the SK 105 Steyr and the CN-105-57 gun was fitted to the M51 and some Sherman.

The kit

The box includes 13 grey plastic sprues, 1 clear parts sprue, 10 sprues for the track links, 1 lower hull, 1 upper turret, 1 vinyl dust cover, 1 decals sheet, 1 photoetched parts sheet, 1 instructions booklet, 1 individual sheet and an additional color leaflet showing 3 out of the 3 possible decorations.

Takom issues the type 2D hull which requires few modifications and the FL12 which needs more detailing especially to depict the Dutch variant. So the kit allows to build a Dutch tank, an Argentinean tank with the French engine and an Argentinian tank with the diesel engine. The options are cleared explained in the instructions. The molding is crisp with a good level of details. Takom did take into account the shape of the FL12 and the type 2D hull. Unfortunately many other details have been omitted. The major issue comes with the gun which is too short and has an oversized muzzle brake which needs to be replaced by the 3D printed offering by FC Modeltrend. On the contrary the MAG 58 ammo box is undersized and will need to be replaced.

It is to be noted that to build the Dutch tank as on the decoration in the box, you'll need to add many details to the turret and in a lesser way on the hull.

The build

I decided to build the Argentinean tank with the diesel engine. The following remarks will not deal with the necessary modifications to get an accurate Dutch tank.

The hull

You first have to fix the plugs round access hatches. They should be flush with the hull sides. With a scribing tool the circumference is engraved. The screw heads are deleted and their location is drilled out. The molded hatches are sanded away and screws heads are inserted in the holes. On the picture, the hatches of the hull at the bottom are deleted but the screws are still missing.

Then you need to make new supports for the sprockets mud scrapers. Takom molded the parts too thin and too aft from the sprockets. Some 2 mm rod is used to make new parts. To place them adequately the simplest is to install temporarily the sprockets.

On the front end you have to modify the hull top as follows.

You have to engrave a panel line on the whole width (yellow oval). Then you have to drill the location of the 5th bolt head on the right hatch (yellow circle). The other markings do not deal with the AMX 13/105. On the picture above the engine is the French one.

At the front the lights protections must be modified. The main plastic part is designed to rest on the fender and Takom omitted the studs on the glacis. You need to make them from a 1mm long bit of plastic rod. Then the IR light is modified so it rests on the protection and not on the fender. The leg is deleted and a rectangle of plastic is added at the bottom between the front and rear bars. Then the light will be glued on the rectangle. Do not forget that the light is placed more to the aft than the main light.

The spare track links holder is to be modified too. In fact all the AMX 13/90 were fitted with the rubber padded tracks which were thicker. The side rails were raised by welding a metal strip which was drilled out to allow the insertion of the links axes.

The securing screw for the gun travel lock is added.

On the front right side Takom omitted a light. It is made from an unused Takom part and plastic card.

At the rear of the hull, you have to engrave the panel line in front of the fuel tanks.

The holes on the hatches (yellow circles) are molded solid by Takom so you can drill them out. On the right a little stud is missing.

On the infantry telephone of the Argentinean tanks it looks like the call light is absent according to period pictures. So it is deleted.

At the rear left a protection for the lights is added from plastic card.

The turret

The FL12 turret has the basic shpae of the standard turret with a modified rear plate featuring a protuberance in which is the shell case ejection port. The turret needs to be modified and many details must be added to get a correct Argentinean turret.

Unlike what the instructions call for, you do not have to cut the gunner hatch. (in yellow).

The molded rectangles (red circles) need to be sanded away. The anchor point for the antennas strings is added with a bit of 0.25 mm thick plastic strip shaped around a drill. The stops for the gunner hatch (blue circles) are deleted and redone with plastic card and glued at the right positions (next picture). The front stop is more visible on the right one.

The turret of the AMX 13/90 is similar to the FL12 concerning the modifications. The rain protection around the hatch is suppressed. The front of the ventilator dome should be straight unlike the Takom part. A single stroke with a file does the trick. The four studs on the dome are removed.

The coaxial MG cover is shortened. On the Argentinean tanks it is shorter than the one depicted by Takom which is good for a Israeli tank.

The bases of the auxiliary sights are modified. The rear must be beveled.

At the rear of the turret roof the power outlet for the PH-2 serchlight is added. The slots in the light support are drilled even though this is not mandatory.

The stop for the right loading hatch is made from 0.88 mm rod for the large part and 0.64 mm for the intermediate one.

The PH-2 searchlight is detailed. Its base is thinned. The transport handle is added as well as the power cable.

The support on the turre tside is improved with the addition of the rubber protection on the top and the welded support below. When the searchlight is in place the securing strap is made from masking tape.

Under the turret bustle the panel lines are engraved. (here is a FL10 turret)

The protection plates at the base of the dust cover are added. There is large central plate and too smaller ones on each side.

The DREB (smoke dischargers) breeches are detailed with a handle made from metal wire.

On the commander cupola the ring mount is installed. Takom gives the weapon support but has omitted the ring mount per se. It is done from a strip of plastic shaped and glued on the top of the hatch opening.

Then the hatch locking device is modified. On the AMX 13 without the ring mount the locking device is on the front which would prevent the ring rotation. Consequenctly the device is moved to the hatch stop at the back.

The MG support is fixed to the ring and the antennas bases replaced by US type ones.

On each side under the gun sleeve you need to add trapeze shaped piece which utility is unknown and which has a groove.

The gun has to be replaced because its dimensions are off. The gun is too short by 7 mm whereas the muzzle brake is oversized by a 1.4 factor. The only available option is the 3D printed gun from FC Modeltrend. To fit it to the gun sleeve you need to remove the flat inside it.

The decoration

Takom gives 2 options for the Argentinean AMX 13 but only one is good for the tank with the diesel engine. It has a 2 tone camouflage of sand and green used by a tank belonging to the 15th mountain infantry regiment according to Takom. According to the reference book mentioned below it should probably be the 15th cavalry reconnaissance regiment.

For the sand base I used the Vallejo RAL8031 Yellow Brown. The green is XF-65 Field Grey. The three registration numbers are applied over a coat of Micro Sol to avoid the silvering. When they are dry, the weathering started with a pinwash around the details and in the recesses. Then a dust effect is created first by spraying some XF-52 Flat Earth and then with some MIG European Dust pigments.

References

https://www.taringa.net/+imagenes/tanques-livianos-amx-13-en-el-ejercito-argentino_z4wf3

https://www.taringa.net/+militares_en_t/ejercito-argentino-amx-13-en-el-ea_15nfsw

https://reportedebatalla.wordpress.com/2019/04/25/tanque-argentino-mediano-antecedentes/

https://www.google.com/search?q=AMX-13+en+el+Ejercito+Argentina&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwicjNndyI_vAhUTbRoKHTPsDMoQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=AMX-13+en+el+Ejercito+Argentina&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1C0yCRYwu0kYMH-JGgAcAB4AIAB7gKIAccMkgEIMC4xMS4wLjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=hR09YNy1HpPaabPYs9AM&client=firefox-b-d

The AMX 13 Light Tank, A complete history. Images of War. MP Robinson, Peter Lau, Guy Gibeau ISBN 1526701677

I would like to thank Bruno Collin for his invaluable help.