[center]The M113 already has a fully functional model in-game and is only missing a few minor internal (x-ray/damage model) details. Implementing it in the game would require significantly less work than most other vehicles. However, it is not researchable, unlockable, or playable in the current unmodified game. See this video for more information on that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZLbfznysnQ&ab_channel=Zenturion7[/center]
The M113 came about when the US decided that it was in need of a new APC to replace its old M2 and M3 half-tracks from World War II. They went through several prototypes and testing designs, but the one that finally stuck was the M113.
The M113 APC is an armored personnel carrier that was manufactured by the Food Machinery Corp. and was first used by the US Army in 1960, It was designed to transport troops, supplies, and wounded to and from the battlefield while being fully protected from small arms fire and shrapnel. The M113 was also amphibious (in non-ocean waters) and was capable of crossing calm bodies of water on its own at a speed of 3.5 mph (5.6 kph) in much the same way that the LVT did during the Second World War. It was also designed to be capable of mounting the BGM-71 tow launcher on the commander’s cupola. The M113 is also one of the most produced APCs in history, with at least 80,000 built. The M113 could be operated with a minimum of two crew, but four were more common.
The M113 APC is not a slow vehicle by any means. It can reach a top speed of 40 mph (64 kph) thanks to its 209-horsepower Chrysler 75M gasoline engine, when compared to its weight of 11 tons, and it has very good acceleration because of that. However, it does suffer from a lack of power, meaning it has difficulty climbing up steep slopes, and it is very slow when traveling uphill. And in later variants, this only improved due to them receiving upgraded engines.
The M113 saw combat in many wars, the most notable being Vietnam, where it was used to move troops and supplies and was even modified to be used as a light assault vehicle in some cases. However, it has been used in almost every major conflict that the US has been involved in since its introduction; however, in most conflicts, it was used as a support vehicle, and the .50 was mainly just for self-defense.
In later years, the m113 was upgraded to have NBC protection (Nuclear Biological Contaminants) that allowed it to operate even in an area that was covered in some sort of hazardous material. The M113 is currently being phased out of service with the US Army. However, many other countries and police forces still use the M113. The M113, over the years, has not changed much in terms of its design; it has remained largely unchanged and has, for the most part, just received updated equipment and systems. In 2007 the US stopped purchasing the M113.
Armor
(Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aircraft grade aluminum armor)
Front: 38mm
Sides: 44-38mm
Rear: 38mm
Top: 38mm
Bottom: 28mm
Stats
Top speed: 40 mph
Top speed in water: 3.5 mph
Crew: 2 or 4
Guns: 1x M2HB (12.7mm) (possibly the BGM-71 TOW)
The M113 was, by default, armed with a single 12.7mm M2HB machine gun. The machine gun was operated by the commander/gunner and was capable of carrying at least 1000 rounds of ammo. The M2HB needs a little introduction as it is one of the most famous and widely used heavy machine guns in the world, and it has been used since before the Second World War.
The .50 M2HB has a maximum penetration of 31mm at 10 meters, and it has a fire rate of 400-500 rounds per minute. The M2HB is not a light weapon; it weighs 84 lbs and cannot be fired by a person on its own due to its weight and recoil. The M2HB on the M113 was mounted on the commander’s hatch and was able to rotate all the way around. It was also capable of being fired 58 degrees upwards and 21 degrees downwards; all rotation of the MG was done manually.
Please Note: The M113 is built to be able to mount the BGM-71 tow launcher, so it’s completely viable that it be available as an optional weapon.
While it may seem like the M113 would serve no purpose in the game, you would be right; it does not offer much to the game in any way, and is more of just an interesting and iconic vehicle to add to the game. That is why I propose that it be added in the same way as a few other vehicles are, as a vehicle that is unlocked upon the purchase of another vehicle at a certain rank. For example, I will use the OS2U-1; in order to unlock the aircraft, you must reach rank 2 in any US naval tree, and after that, it’s unlocked for the player to purchase. This feature is also seen in the ground tech trees of Japan and France.
The M113 is kind of useless with only the .50, however it is such a versatile platform and could perform many jobs and that’s where I see it shining, perhaps it could be used to drop off infantry (if it were added), maybe it could resupply ammo to your teammates, maybe it could just be able to scout targets rapidly, or even maybe it could get access to a removable BGM-71 launcher. There are just so many jobs that it could fulfill, and that’s the beauty of it. And Anything can be suggested as long as it has a gun, so why not!
- Yes
- No
Sources
M113 (Armored Personnel Carrier) - The Army Historical Foundation
https://www.usord.com/content/docs/manuals/usord_m2hb_op-manual.pdf
APC M113 (multiple sources listed here)
M2HB (12.7 mm) - War Thunder Wiki
https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/M2HB-50-Caliber-Heavy-Machine-Gun.pdf
https://www.military-references.com/wp-content/uploads/books/tracked_vehicles/usa/m113/M113A1_Operator_s_Manual_TM-9-2300-257-10_1978.pdf
T113E1 and E2 (Development of the M113) - Tank Encyclopedia