IDF M113 Combo Set Fitters & Chata'p Field Repair

Plastic model kit of an M113 armored personnel carrier used by the Israel Defense Forces

• 1:35 scale
• Based on former Dragon molds
• Unassembled, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The most striking feature of the Israeli "Fitter" variant is the large hydraulic HIAB crane mounted on the rear roof section. It could be transported on the vehicle in a folded position and swung out at the operational site, enabling the removal, installation, and handling of engines, transmission components, and other heavy parts. Swapping out "power packs" was a particularly common task.

Consequently, the Fitter was less a traditional armored recovery vehicle than an armored mobile maintenance platform. In addition to the crane, it featured extensive storage compartments and mounts for tools, spare parts, lifting gear, and the mechanics' equipment. The external configuration underwent several changes during the M113's long service life with the Israeli military.

Interestingly, the HIAB crane was not a substitute for a heavy armored recovery vehicle. It reached its limits when dealing with very heavy components; photographic evidence of the Israeli Fitter suggests, for instance, that it was not sufficiently rated for certain Merkava power packs weighing approximately 5 tons. The vehicle known as the Chata’P (also referred to as Chatap, Hatap, or Chata"P) is an Israeli field repair vehicle based on the M113 chassis. Unlike the "Fitter" variant, it typically did not feature a large HIAB crane; instead, its primary strength lay in the maintenance equipment it carried on board. Sources explicitly describe the Chata’P as a vehicle designed to transport spare parts and equipment for the combat vehicles it supported.

Particularly distinctive are the numerous storage boxes, racks, and mounts located on both sides of the vehicle. These features make the Chata’P relatively easy to distinguish from a standard M113/Zelda in photographs. This external stowage allowed the maintenance crew to quickly access frequently used parts and tools without cluttering the vehicle's interior.

A particularly interesting distinction lies in how they were deployed organizationally. Sources on Israeli vehicles describe the Chata’P as a maintenance vehicle used at the company level, whereas the "Fitter"—equipped with the large crane—was deployed at the battalion level.

The two vehicles thus complemented each other: the Chata’P accompanied the unit with mechanics, tools, and spare parts, enabling it to support numerous repairs directly on-site. When heavy lifting was required, the "Fitter" would be brought in with its HIAB crane. However, major recovery operations or the handling of very heavy components required more powerful recovery vehicles.