Continuing my recent batch of OOtB models, this is the Tamiya M2A2 Bradley ODS. I think that this may be my new favorite model to build. It went together without any problems and has piles of detail. The included stowage was a nice touch as well. I look forwars to picking up another one of these to build as a KFOR vehicle some time in the near future.

Any questions, comments, or criticisms are welcomes.

http://gallery36339.fotopic.net/show_collection.php?id=94581

Overall looks to be a great build. A few comments though. Water can on right side should be black, sand, or even dark green, but not red. It also needs to be tied down in some way, ither straps crossing it, or with a piece of rubber that attaches to hull and completely covers can attaching behind it with a strap. Ammo cans at rear of turret bustle rack should be dark green cans with black handles in a hull-colored holder, lower 1/3 of ammo box as molded by Tamiya. In second photo above, poles underneath the platform for reloading the TOW should not be present. They were for erecting the swim barrier which is no longer used on M2A2's. Blue-ish tarps mounted on hull should be a medium green color. They are sleeping mats used by the crew and are an issue item. Headlights are also incorrect, what you have black is actually the clear headlight. What you have silver is the turn signal and should be amber. Needs antennas. Antennas, mounts and bases should all be dark green in color. Gunners sight box glass should be dark blue on left and amber on right, both high gloss since they are glass. Also, all vision blocks need to be gloss as well. Duffle bags and ruck sacks look too dark as well. They should be a medium green to OD green. Sleeping bags are correct as black. Mud flaps at front and rear are rubber and should be black as well. Lastly, it looks too clean. Needs some more weathering. Sorry to be so critical, but you asked for suggestions. Make these few changes and it will be a great model.

HeavyArty,

Thank you for the excellent comments. I'm sure those are the things that will be very helpful to Grasshopp12 and all who submit photos. Very informative without being preachy or mean. Very insightfull too! :-)

Good start on the model Jeff!

Steve

Thanks for the advice! I shall bring this one back to the pit and do a bit more work on it.

Also, I have searched high and low with no luck, anyone know of a company that makes an amber paint?

Mix your own paint to get what you need. Just get 3 basic colors - Red, Blue, and Yellow - and use them to make what you want.

For amber, take some yellow and add a bit of red. See what happens. If it gets to be too orange, add yellow. (Of course, you will need white added to all these for scale effect.)

Here's a link to a color wheel; http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html. See what else is possible.

Mixing paints will make you a better artist and modeller.

Steve

PS - If you check my galllery and look one of the front views of the 1/72 Bradley, you will see a bit of amber paint.

Italeri makes a Turn Signal Amber in their Model Master enamels. It is a perfect match for turn signals.

You might try mixing Tamiya clear yellow and clear orange to get the amber color for your sight...

Shaun

Gino pretty much covered all the bases and then some. Minimally ad your antennas, even the strictest OOB rules allow for these when they are suggested inteh instructions and the mount on the right side of the turret is cut away for that. I like the subtle was effect you achieved around all the bolts.
As to the amber, Tamiya's old orange/amber clear is good. (Of course, I have a very old bottle, I don't know if they've updatedt he formulation ont that. )

Thanks for the comments/suggstions! With the Tamiya Clear colors, should I paint a white background or will it be all set over my camo scheme?

You can either paint the clear colors over a silver base to make them pop and be very bright, or you can paint them straight over the base color of the vehicle for a more muted appearance.

I am not positive but I think the part we are talking about should be clear to start with. I think there is a piece of clear acetate in the kit that gets glued into the sight from the inside. You want to used the clear colors to tint the clear piece of acetate, like tinting a car window.
That is the part I was talking about anyway...

HTH,

Shaun

To clarify, As Keenan stated, if the part is already clear, simply paint clear paint over it. If not, above methods apply.