"Iraqi Freedom" M2A2 Bradley W.I.P.

O.K. Pictures....

I started out with the lower hull, attatching all of the extra suspension pieces like the transmission housings (?) and idler pegs. Correct me if some of my terminology is off, but I'm normally a car guy.

The tow hooks (?) were molded solid, so I drilled them out with a pin vice....

Finally, I attached the rear bulkhead and filled the seam between it and the main hull. I added the mudflaps last. The instructions would have you install the wheels, idlers, and sprockets at this point, but I'll leave them off until the main hull is painted. Theyr'e easier to paint seperate anyway....

I figured now would be a good time to attatch the upper hull permanently. The next step will be adding the armor on the front and sides....

Then I added the two small stowage boxes on the rear.....

-Mike

Keep!! going your not at the hard parts yet. I have a question do you want it to be truly close to the real one, if so I can help and I know of a guy that can help more that me. His name is HeavyArty he has work with them that's the 1:1 size M2A2's in his passed. I'm not at this time going to put up a link to his album as he has not givin his permission for me to do so. But he know's a lot on them. just look at my build and reed his comment's.

/forums/2/903968/ShowPost.aspx#903968

just scroll down you'll see it, it's long list. But I must say it in some ways helped. Here's a link to the hole thing from the start to the end. I love building this thing. Oh I like the orange letters.

/forums/1/903968/ShowPost.aspx#903968

if you need any thing let me know.

...I know of a guy that can help more that me. His name is HeavyArty...

Hey, that's me.  I can't really help out now, I am on a training mission to Ft Drum, NY and can't see pics on a Govt computer, damn firewall.  Feel free to take a look at my Photobucket albums for help and check out the replies I gave to white_34 on his.  Good luck with it.  It sounds like you are on the right track.

I started adding some of the various armor panels around the upper hull along with the drivers hatch.

I posed the hatch slightly open, even though there's no interior. I doubt it's open enough to see in there anyway.

That's it for now. I probably won't be updating again since no one really cares about this WIP anyway.....

corvettemike wrote:

That's it for now. I probably won't be updating again since no one really cares about this WIP anyway.....

Whoa don't be hasty, Sorry I havn't posted on here before but I've been watching this thread quite closely because I'm planning on building the same kit for the "Urban Armor GB" and your pics are really helping!

But if you don't want to keep updating than that's ok, it's your thread.

Chris,

Hay the problem that I see alot is that most FSF members like the older type of armor. But I'm working on changing that little by little and you doing an up to date project helps out in that effort. You all looking in don't think I don't like the older style of Armor I do it's you just don't see alot of Modern Armor alot. Like that M113 that I'll be doing soon I have not found any thing in 1/35 for it the way I'm building it. So please keep working. look at how mini views you get once you get to the hard stuff. Your only at the start of the build. Nothing big going on yet. See most of them want to see if you going to build it box stock or like me (Detail your but off). "Hint Hint" that like all that detail stuff. Once you get to the paint proses you'll see more replys. Here's a question? Are you going to use PE parts. I hope so. They will make you build come out realy well. but if you can do it box stock with some weathering we all can help you out on that to.

Hay if you need to ask something don't hold back ask it that's one way you can get more replys.

You'd be surprised at how many people actually look at WIP threads. I tend to look out for them just as much as completed ones.

Ive got the same kit in my stash so am definitely going to be watching this one closely.

These days i tend to find most WIP threads on www.militarymodelling.com since its promoted there more extensively. Feel free to share your WIP there too.  

Ditto the above, I browse (lurk?) many WIP for reference, ideas and enjoyment. Many times I have nothing intelligent to contribute since Im a relative rookie. I tend to be more vocal in the GB WIPs. But we are watching :)

corvettemike wrote:

Well, it was up and very few people replied. When it just drifts away it gives one the impression that no one is watching.....Maybe it's that overly anxious "been on the Scale Auto forum too much" attitude comming out......

the bradely is one of the few current AFVs I want to model so don't stop!

You could enter this in the APC/IFV GB if you like, As long as you havn't painted it yet.

Looks great so far, lookin forward to some updates!

Chris,

Hay Mike you should join the AFV/APC GB that should give you a reason to get your bradly done. One more Badge!!

/forums/922123/ShowPost.aspx

I am going to order the same one you have and do it much like my first one but with out all the weathering. An this time I'm going to got some up dated tracks.

White_R34 wrote:

Hay Mike you should join the AFV/APC GB that should give you a reason to get your bradly done. One more Badge!! /forums/922123/ShowPost.aspx I am going to order the same one you have and do it much like my first one but with out all the weathering. An this time I'm going to got some up dated tracks.

lol WhiteR34, I guess great minds think alike! and thanks for providing the link.

This will help you out some

Internet hobbyies Has Verlinden but no (ERA)-explosive reactive armor from eather Ver. nor Blast

http://www.internethobbies.com/verlinden-products---1-35-armor-update---detail-sets.html

So I went over to Mission Models and all they had where the AFV track set for the modern Bradley.

http://www.missionmodels.com/product.php?productid=17846

I though may be  I should go to the Verlinden site and no luck there.

An last on my list was Grate Models and they have a long list of M2- Bradley items. Well sins I like all of you I will post a full list from (GM)-Grate Models to help every one that needs it.

Ok Here's the M2-Bradley List: ( this list is only for Resin & PE stuff) For all those that don't get what (PE) means it's Photo-Etched [All in 1/35 scale] some of you will need to call for the price's.

Airwaves

AEC35004 M2/M3 Bradley Detail (PE)

Blast

BLT35023K BLT35023K M2/3 A2 Bradley Running Gear with New Tracks
(Resin kit) At the end I have some info on this.

BLT35065K ERA Armor Set for M2A2 Bradley (Resin kit)

Barrel Depot

BRD35050 M2A2 Bradley/LAV25 M242 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun Barrel (Matel)

Eduard Accessories

EDU35583 M-2 Bradley Interior Set (PE)

EDU35584 M-2 Bradley Exterior Set (PE) I used this set on my bradley.

EDU35613 M-2 Bradley Turret Interior (PE)

EDU35781 M-2A2 Bradley IFV Details (PE)

EDU35920 M2A2 Bradley OIF Details (PE)

EDU36004 M-2 Bradley stowage boxes (PE)

Big ED's

EDUBIG3509 M-2 Bradley Super Set (PE)

EDUTP038 M2A2 Bradley baggage ties (PE)

EDUXT086 M-2 BRADLEY WHEEL MASK TAMIYA (Cheap)" border="0" width="15" height="15" />

Friulmodel

FRIATL78 M2 Bradley Early Tracks (?) Resin

FRIATL79 M2 Bradley Late Tracks (Big Foot)" border="0" width="41" height="46" />

Legend Productions 

LF1119 Bradley Stowage Set (Resin)

Model Kasten

MKSK21 LVTP-7/Bradley " border="0" width="19" height="15" /> the image is so small you can't tell what it is.

Model Point

MPT3526 M242 25mm M2A2/M3 'Bradley' Barrel (Metal)

Montex Masks

MXK35003 M2 Bradley IFV (Markings & Groupe Logo painting stencils)

Nemrod

NEM35202 M2/M3 Bradley Crew 2004 (3) detailed resin figures. (Man are 2 of them ugly in the face.) " border="0" width="15" height="15" />

Tamiya

TAM21023 M2A2 Bradley (Fully built & Painted model) Why?

Trakz

TKZ0090 M2 Bradley Wheel Masks (painting stencils) I used this set.

Verlinden Productions

VPI1969 M2/M3 Bradley Stowage Set (Resin)

VPI2182 Reactive Armor for Bradley (ERA)-explosive reactive armour  (Resin)

Thats all I got from that site and I hope it will help some of you out. I know I know some of you may say or ask why did I give all the info that some of them should be looking up for them self. I don't think that way, I have grown up to believe that we as a good people are to try to help ower fellow man as much as some of us can.

So to my haters " border="0" width="15" height="15" />" border="0" width="15" height="15" /> An to all those that like to give the most help you can " border="0" width="15" height="15" />" border="0" width="16" height="16" />

Here's some Info on one of the items., The Blast Running Gear with New Tracks
(Resin kit). If the kit cost is to high for some of you, this is what you can do. You can make it for your self (For those of you that have the Acad-kit

there are 3 shocks that are need on both sides just above the place where the wheels go. Placement is [From the front the 1st,2nd 3rd wheel strut and the 6th at the end and this is only for the wheel at the bottom.

Here's the link for more info. and about that front drive wheel you can use the one from a M113 APC kit it's a close match:

the Bradley drive wheel:

The M113 drive wheel:

There are 5 holes in the M113 wheel like the M2 wheel. If you like scratch building you can use parts from the Acad drive wheel and the M113 wheel to make the right look for the wheel. But this is only for those who like series scratchbuilding.

http://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m2a2/m2a2-p1.htm

Oh and last thing to help some of you that have a favorit shopping site and dont want to shop (GM)-Grate Models. If you site has a search engine (some time this works) you can type in the stock letters an numbers and you will get a hit and some times not. As for me I shop (SQ)-Squadron., If you know the way the company that you buy from post's it's Stock ID you know that you may have to change pate of the stock ID to find it where you shop. Like this or for example:

I need eather the Blast (ERA kit) or the Verlin kit. Now I know that they sale the Verlin kits. An the stock ID's are not like the GM stock ID. Of VPI2182 so I change the VIP to VE which is the stock ID letters for SQ and I hit the search to see what I get. An I find that it is out of stock but some time you can call and they will tell you when the next one will come in and send you E-Mails on it.

http://www.squadron.com/NoStock.asp?item=VE2182

But I think I'm going to call GM to try and get the kit. Hope this helps some of you. Let me know if you like this type of help?

You can call GM at ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-619-3402  or Please use there phone number 1-(801) 565-0823 / fax (801) 565-0836 if you need immediate assistance.