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M2A2 ODS

Hi Toopac. Thanks for your nice comments. Yes, it's the Tamiya kit.

Hi Maxime, really nice build, especially the weathering. which AM set did you used for the kit? Is it the Eduard?

Yes, it's the Eduard photoetch kit for the M2A2 ODS from Tamiya (3656). Thanks for your comments.

First off, welcome to the site. It's a very clean build, and nicely weathered. I'm just a little baffled by the stowage, having never ridden one myself. What's keeping it on? And I hate to be that guy again, but ODS, 2003? Am I missing something? You'll find you'll get a lot of comments on here, but they're all meant to help out.

I am sure you know better than me but from what I read, M2A2 Infantry fighting vehicles attached to the 3rd Armored Infantry Division were used in Iraq in March 2003. As for the stowage, I also have never ridden one myself, but I guess I should have added handles and straps to the backpacks! I will consider this for the next one. Thanks!

You're correct on them being used, you may just want to re-title it OIF rather than ODS. Otherwise, it's all good, brother. I was just surprised that the first 125 guys didn't notice the disconnect, hence my fear that I may indeed be going a little senile.

Looks very nice. I agree on the stowage, it needs something to hold it on. A common practice was to run straps along the side armor plates by removing some of the bolts, poking holes in a large cargo strap and reinstalling the bolts. This provides a place to then thread the shoulder straps of the bags through to secure them to the sides. The ODS designation is correct. It denotes an M2A2 that has post-ODS modifications added, not when the vehicle was in use. The type is known as an M2A2 ODS, like an M1A2 SEP, same idea.

The ODS variant is sometimes fitted with bolt-on tie-downs like those in this picture from Primeportal. I guess their number can vary from one Bradley to another. Eduard has released them in PE : http://www.eduard.com/store/out/media/tp038.pdf HTH H.P.

VERY Nice Maxime. Great effort on a nice model to reproduce this vehicle in the time before the upgrades. Have been a huge fan myself on this vehicle.Although the Iraq advance saw some huge changes to the vehicle 2003 onwards . I like the stowage to be held on with straps as well and this all helps to try and replicate the real thing in 35th scale , Plastic modellers, we will look close at a good model done well like yours. At least you have your finished ,I've been dangling mine since 2007. Trying to get the right look is the real accomplishment.Being that Armorama has so many ex and current service men and women who have served with and in these vehicles is a great help to building a model. Well done on a great model. Michael

Superb work Max! Superbe execution. You really brang this one to life, congrats. Philippe