Okay, this is obviously going to another really cool coversion blog. Count me in for the ride, Gino.  :)

I need to watch as well. I have the Academy M2A2 to build in my stash one day and I would like to do it as an OIF1 Bradley also. 

Mike - Thanks for following along.  Hope you enjoy the ride.

Stik - Thanks for checking in as well.  The Academy kit will build into a OIF 1 Bradley out of the box.  Some (mainly in 1 BDE and 3 BDE) Bradleys were the later model, new-build M2A2 ODS versions as depicted by the Academy kit.  You will just need to swap out the old tracks on it for newer, square-block tracks though.

Very cool, I had no idea that the Meng kit and the older Tamiya/Academy ones were anywhere near compatable. I'll be following this too. 

Gamera - Yup, the kits are pretty much the same size so parts can easily be interchanged.  There is a guy at Armorama adding some of the better Meng interior parts to a Tamiya M2 to make a detailed, original M2A0.  It is coming along nicely.  That and another M2A0+ build post on Armorama pushed me along to start this one.

As always, an impressive build.  Also, the pictures are very impressive.  What do you use for a camera?

Thanks Sandbox.  For pics, I use a few years old (6?) Canon Powershot A470.  I set it on no flash and Macro settings.  I recently switched to daylight LED bulbs for the two swing-arm desk lamps that I use for lighting and found they come out much better that way.  For example, the couple of pics w/the green boxes were before the daylight LEDs.  The rest were after and look much better. 

Hello Gino!

This looks like a great project - I'm impressed by the know how that goes into this one. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

I will be watching this build with much interest. I have plans to build a 3-15 Inf Bradley from OIF as part of my M2 Bradley Legacy builds.

Plus this subject is close to my heart as I served with 3-15 Inf. 2nd Brigade, 24th ID during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Thanks for the encouragement and compliments guys.  It is coming along slowly.  More progress pics soon.

A pretty ambitious project, but I know that if anyone can bring this to fruition, you can, Gino. Should be a cool thread and tutorial!

Nice work. Nothing like having fun with boltheads and rivits!!

Rounds Complete!!

Thanks Mike.  Yup, gotta love adding lots of bolts.  Haven't had time to work on it lately with Turkey day and decorating the abode for Christmas.  Should get back to it soon though.

Hi Rick.  Yup, ground vehicles (tanks, jeeps, artillery pieces, HMMWVs, etc...) are my main subject area, with large scale helos a close second.  Thanks for checking in.

Hi Gino,

Yes, I'll be watching and learning here 

Thanks SprueOne.  I hope to have an update soon.

Excellent work so far Gino.

Thanks feldgrau23.

The build continues.  I have completed the interior and it is ready for paint.

I added non-slip to the interior floor using Rustoleum Terra Cotta spray paint that I decanted and brushed on.



I built the rear bench seats as well.  The main bottom part is from an M113 side skirt, with "L" angle styrene sides, and square rod stock for the legs.  The cushions are from A & B putty and the back cushions will be from the kit seat backs, on new plates.



I detailed the ceiling a bit by adding mounting plates for the intercom J-boxes and speakers, the cables and handle to release the ramp locks, and a mount for an AT-4 on the right side.



I also added non-slip to the Academy roof section and hatch, as well as to the inside of the Academy M2A2 rear ramp and to a work platform which will be added below the TOW launcher.




Off to the paint booth next, then detail painting.  Lots more to do.

The rest of the turret and interior parts ready to go as well. 

Of note, I removed the radios off the shelf in the rear of the turret.  The kit radios are older, series 46 radios.  They were replaced by SINCGARS in the early to mid '90s.  I have a set of SINCGARS ASIP radios from Pro Art to install in their place.

Also a shot of the completed front glacis that shows the added swim barrier attachment pieces.

HeavyArty: That is some outstanding and diligent workmanship!  Those details will really make this thing shine once the paint flies!

Question: Are those to-scale bolts something you bought or created yourself?  

SMJmodeler - Thanks for the compliments.  I have started painting and adding details to the interior already.  More progress pics probably by the weekend. 

As to the bolts, I used bolts that come on the sprue runners of some kits.  I save these sections of sprue for later use.  I think these came off a runner from the Orochi M3A3 kit. 

There are many sources for nut/bolt heads out there.  Many kits have extra bolts included on the runners (esp. Academy kits).  You can also buy bolt sets from Meng and a few others.  Grandt Line, a model train company, also sells bolts of various sizes.  You can also buy plastic hex rod from Plasrtuct in various diameters that can be sliced to make bolt heads.  Lastly, you can harvest them from old kits.  I have a bunch of left over original M2 side skirts from Academy/Tamiya M2A2s (the old parts are still on the sprues) that are covered in bolts that I shave off and use as needed.  I use bolts from all these sources often in my builds.

Very cool Gino, I love the bucketloads of extra detail you're packing in there! 

HeavyArty: Thanks for the ideas about the nuts/ bolts...I already thought about the Plastruct route but never thought of "harvesting".  That's why I like the forum so much!

Looking forward to those progress pic's!

Thanks guys.  Still working on detailing the interior.

The usual outstanding details. When it is finished, how will it display so you can see the great internals??

Rounds Complete!!