What is the dif between the yank m577 and the kiwi m557a1 as I'm about to start a build using the Tamiya m577 kit.
Sean

Hi Sean,

Firstly you have a choice of 4 vehicles. NZ 32479, 33258, 33259 and 33260.

The main modifications were:
1. "Australian Ventilation System" same as fitted to the 113s, centred on the ventilation dome on the hull top. Due to this the davit and block & tackle were relocated to the lefthand side of the hull top.

2. Indicator and tail lights, front and rear

3. Over Width Markers "Day-glow Panels" required by the law of the land to mark the extremities of over-width vehicles. Eight panels were fitted, two per side, as near to the corner of the vehicle as possible.
Front 20-in x 12-in fitted mid way between the indicator and the headlights,
Side 20-in x 6-in, the front panel was roughly centred on the front edge of the hull and the rear panel in the corresponding location, and
Rear 15-in x 6-in, on the rear track guards.

4. Number Plate. The front plate was originally located on the top centre of the trim vane, relocated to just under the headlights in front of the driver. The rear number plate was located on the right-hand track guard just under the indicator -stop/tail lights.

5. Rear-view Mirrors. Two-small posts were fitted to the hull top at the front of the vehicle. They were about 6-in back from the front edge of the hull top. The mounting bracket was about 2-in wide, 3-in long and 3-in high. The mirrors were a standard commercial type, about 6 x 3-in. They were mounted on a 9-in rod fitted to the mounting bracket, next to useless due to vehicle vibration when travelling, but made a very good shaving mirror.

6. A Jerry Can holder was fitted to the rear right of the vehicle, this was replaced, between 1979 and 1987 with a double holder, the depth was doubled. so two cans could be fitted.

7. Radios, all M577s had 3 VHF and 1 HF radio, the 3 VHF antenna bases were on the lefthand side and the HF at the front right. Over the years most were fitted with a forth VHF radio with the antenna base at the rear right. At one stage NZ 32479 was also fitted with a C 13 radio set.

Between 1969 and 1978 all vehicles were painted Olive Drab and from 1978 on they were painted in the NZ version of the US Army MERDC Desert Red camouflage scheme.

The 577s carried up to five extra 'Jerry' cans for petrol for the generator, strapped together on the roof.

NZ32479 was the first of the M113 FOVs to arrive in New Zealand and had been in service with the US Army before we got it. The vehicle had been modified so that a .50 can MG could be mounted in front of the commanders hatch. It was fitted sometimes, but not often.



NZ Scots about 1980



NZ Scots about 1987



1 Armd GP about 1990

hope this is of some help.

cheers
David

Thaks for the info will help greatly ,you wouldn't happen to have a photo of the top as I'm a bit unsure of the exhuast placement. after I have finished I will post photos

Hi Sean,

Sorry I don't have any photo of the top of M577s. The exhaust location and type is the same as the on the M113s.

This may be of some help with placement of things on top.


and these with the Air Filter



cheers
David

Cheers David , can now make sense of it all once again callsign ironside to help support callsign foxhound .