. The M 113 armored personnel carrier was used extensively by American forces during the Vietnam War and is still used in Canada, Germany and Australia.  The concept of an armored personnel carrier evolved from specialty vehicles used by Germany during World War II.  After World War II when the mobility of infantry troops was greater than ever, the concept of endless track and armor plates were adopted in the vehicles that transported troops to the front lines.  In 1957 the M 113 was redesignated as the T 113 as a soldier transporting armored car capable of being air transported and dropped by parachutes onto the battlefield.  By 1959, most American infantry forces were equipped with the T 113.  This armored personel carrier had a two man crew and could carry up to 11 soldiers in full military gear in relative safety up to the front lines.  Body armor was further improved by the use of aluminum alloy which was much lighter than the steel armor plate previously used.  The M 113 carried one flexible .50 caliber machine gun and had the following operational characteristics: 1) Top Speed of just over 40 m.p.h.; 2) Combat range of about 300 miles and Combat weight of approximately 12 tons.  In total, more than 80,000 units of all variants of the M 113 were produced before production ceased.  This older, out-of-production M 113 U.S. Armored Personnel Carrier model includes the following features: 1) Authentic markings for a M 113 utilized by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War: 2) Detailed engine room; 3) Detailed interior; 4) Detailed steering seat; 5) Five American soldiers; 6) Hatches that close and open; 7) Interchangable parts for both land and water transport configurations; 8) Removable body panels; 9) Painting guide and 10) Illustrated assembly instructions.  The box is in like new condition.  Never started and 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions inventoried.