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M2A3 Bradley

Assembling

Assembly was quite extensive because many tiny parts had to be attached like the antennas or the hatches of the doghouse. Fitting is very good, except some few parts like the ERA (G6) on the turret which does not fit properly. Other parts like the upper hull fit perfectly on the lower hull. The gluing of the poly caps into the road wheels required some care to avoid a warped look on the suspension arms. Both barrels the main gun M242 and the coaxial machine gun were drilled out.

Painting

To get some more realistic lights I had drilled them, painted with Tamiya Chrome Silver (X-11) and filled with drops of Clear (X-22) whilst the rear lamps and the indicators were painted with Clear Red (X-27) respectively Clear Orange (X-26). The optics were painted as follows: At first a base coat of Gold (X-12), then painted with Clear Red and finally a layer of Clear. I’d painted the optics of the dog house and the CITV at first with Flat Black (XF-1) and then I applied a coat of Clear. The tracks which are of DS-Styrene were also painted with Flat Black (XF-1) then I masked the rubber pads and used Metallic Grey (XF-56). The main colour of the Bradley is Vallejo Model Air Sand (71075) whilst I applied on some panels and parts Desert Yellow (XF-59) which was highlighted with Flat White (XF-2) in a ratio of 1:4. Gun metal (X-10) was used for the barrels, Cockpit Green (XF-71) for the grenades and the ammo boxes at the bustle rack were painted with Olive Green (XF-58). The tools were painted with Semi Gloss Black (X-18) and Buff (XF-57) and the shackles with Light Grey (XF-66) highlighted with Flat White.

Weathering

After I’d covered the entire vehicle with Clear I applied a washing coat which consisted of a mixture of MIG oils Abteilung 502 Black and Washing Brown. The final stage was to dust the Bradley with MIG pigments Light Dust (P027), Ashes White (P022) and Gulf War Sand (P037), whilst Black Smoke (P23) was used for the exhaust and the engine cover and Dark Mud (P033) for the post-shading.