M113A2
Canadian Army Service

Back in the 1990s, my armoured regiment deployed to CFB Suffield for a summer training exercise. When we arrived, we discovered that our vehicles had not made it and would be further delayed due to “logistical challenges” (code for someone messed up, I suppose). The headquarters staff quickly realized they needed to find something for us to do, so they decided to create an assault troop to act as a mobile reserve during the simulation.

Four M113A2s from the LdSH(RC) were issued to us, and we proceeded to learn on the job—so to speak—how to operate the “battle taxis” and play mechanized infantry. It was a big departure from our usual armoured reconnaissance role, but we picked up a thing or two and had a great time attacking instead of just sneaking and peeking.

That experience is why I’ve decided to include an M113A2 in my Canadian Forces collection of projects. The build won’t be based on a specific reference but entirely from memory. It will complement several other CAF projects I have in mind, including the AVGP Cougar, Grizzly, and Bison, the Leopard C1 and C2, as well as a Starfighter, Hornet, Hercules, and a Flower-class corvette—maybe more. I’m really looking forward to this build, since I’ve never done an M113 before.