Tamiya Bradleys

I toured the UDI factories back in 2002 where old M2 and M2A1s were rebuilt into M2A2ODS and M2A3. It was strange seeing "naked" aluminum hulls. They were also making new all new construction vehicles at the same time. You'd often see brand new unpainted vehicles with old camouflaged pieces parts like rear fender storage boxes, hatches, etc.

I guess if the old parts were still serviceable, they were placed back into the assembly line and used.

Were the the M2A1s given a "refurb" like the older M1 Abrams?

Rob Gronovius

If you have the M2A2 or M2A2ODS you can use that kit part as a guide to modify the M2 kit part.

Ahhh, roger. Not a problem going that way.

Changing the bustle rack wouldn't be a requirement if the vehicle began as an M2 and was later upgraded into an M2A1. But, it would not be too difficult to use the old style rack as a guide, cut off the upper sloped portion and replace it with thin styrene sheet.

If you have the M2A2 or M2A2ODS you can use that kit part as a guide to modify the M2 kit part.

Like the M2 vs. M2A1, there are many differences between an M2A2 modified into an M2A2ODS and a manufactured M2A2ODS, but the Army counts them as the same vehicle.

Most vehicles that began as M2s ended life as M2A1s before being sent back to the York, PA factory to become M2A3s.

I see what you mean about being difficult to get stuff out! Not looking at kit sprues, I don't know how difficult a change that would be to make.

Original Style bustle rack:

And the upgraded A1 and beyond style with the vertical slope. The old style was hard to get anything into or out of.

Hey, nice builds CB1!

Heavy - also exactly what I needed to know (sprue info and everything!). Thanks!

Is there any way to build an M2A1 with available kits/aftermarket?

Yes, it is pretty easy to convert it into an M2A1.  First, add the larger turret basket from the A2 kit.  For the firing ports, you can handle them one of two ways.  On early, upgraded ones or ones that had Modification Work Orders (MWOs) done at unit lever, the firing port blisters were left on and blanked off.  To model one, use the closed off firing port blisters for the M3 kit; leftovers on the A sprue.  For a new build M2A1, the firing ports were eliminated and the hull was smooth. To make one, cover over the side firing port holes and smooth them into the hull with putty.  You now have an M2A1.

hiya!

The M2 or as stated above, M2A0 is the kit you have.

Here is my M2 and my M2A3 with the ERA conversaion you have. I just finished mine back in March.

Exterior and interior the A0 and the A3 are very different. I was a driver and gunner on a A0 model.

Sweet! Just what I needed, Rob.

Is there any way to build an M2A1 with available kits/aftermarket?

It builds into an M2 or M2A0 (as often referred to denote the original production model). The M2A1 deleted the side firing ports but left the blisters still visible. Also the A1's bustle rack had a vertical slope to it instead of following the slope of the turret.

There were several other internal differences and upgraded TOW components, but those are the two main external visual differences. Also most M2s received some of the MWOs to upgrade the vehicles to M2A1 standards. For instance the TOW system was upgraded and firing ports were plated shut, but the bustle rack wasn't touched.