U.S. Engineer Squad Vehicle & Squad Trailer
10th Engineers, 3rd Infantry Division, circa 2004

An Engineer Squad Vehicle pulling the M105 squad trailer.

M113A3 built OOB with aftermarket lights from SKP Models, Echelon Fine Details decals, and styrene rod.

Antennas are scratch built from .5mm styrene rod.

The top mounting brackets for the side stowage racks were made from styrene sheet. The bolt & nut on the top mounting brackets are from spare parts box.

The power receptacle on the rear hatch was cut off, drilled out to accept the trailer power conduit, with a new receptacle cover added to the M113 in the open position.

The Squad Trailer is a conversion of the old Italeri trailer kit rescued from the scrap heap. I updated the bare bones trailer by adding triangular frame supports, grab bars and lifting points from sheet and rod styrene. Hydraulic connection points were added from the spare parts box. The hydraulic lines, and brake power line were added from rubber tubing. The power connection conduit was scratch built, as was the trailer hitch from sheet styrene and Mr. Surfacer 1000. Chains were added with spare and scratch-built hooks. Tie down points were added to the trailer using small gauge flat wire. Chock blocks and storage racks were scratch-built from sheet styrene and small gauge wire. Corner reflector lights were added to the trailer from spare parts box / scratch built to complete the trailer.

The Squad Trailer upper frame was scratch built using balsa wood and sheet styrene. The Trailer tarpaulin was scratch-built from tissue paper using diluted white glue, with scratch-built grommets inserted between the tissue paper layers. Tie down ropes were added from sand colored string.

Painted with Vallejo acrylics, and Tamiya panel line accent. Light weathering with pastel powders.