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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Tamiya's Bradley. How Good?
sniper
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New York, United States
Joined: May 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,065 posts
Armorama: 508 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 11:10 AM UTC

I have the Tamiya Bradley (kit no. 3532) and was wondering what people thought about the kit.

What version is it and what are the major problems with it?

Also, can this be built as a vehicle that is participating in the current Iraq war?

I know my questions are basic and naive, but I'm very unknowledgeable about the Bradley.

Steve

Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 02:30 PM UTC
I believe the kit you have is the original Tamiya M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle with interior. This is the first version of the Bradley in use in the 1980s and was not used by front line forces even during Operation Desert Storm. It is a reasonably accurate early Bradley IFV.

The current infantry variants in use are the M2A3, M2A2 and M2A2 ODS. (also M3A2, M3A2ODS, M3A3, M6, M7)

Tamiya also makes an M2A2 (35152) in Gulf War markings and is fairly accurate. The tracks on the kit are the older type and not the type currently in use by US forces. The other Bradley Tamiya made was the M3 Cavarly Fighting Vehicle and is basically the same as the M2 less the interior.
sniper
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New York, United States
Joined: May 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,065 posts
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Posted: Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 04:43 PM UTC

Thanks Rob! I noticed the kit I have has the moterization holes.

Is the Academy Bradley a better kit? What version is theirs?

Steve
Jacques
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: March 04, 2003
KitMaker: 4,630 posts
Armorama: 4,498 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 04:58 PM UTC
SO far as I can tell looking in the boxes, the Tamiya and Academy kits are identical (Academy pantographed the Tamiya kit) The Academy kit has the interior, so it is the M2. The only difference in the M2 and M3 is the gun portholes...use the "blanked off" ones for a M3. I know in real life the M3 has a different interior than the M2, more space for TOW reloads.
blaster76
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Texas, United States
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Armorama: 3,034 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 05:37 PM UTC
Yeah, that is the early Bradley kit. Great interior. I believe there was a recent article in FSM(January 2001) that somone upgraded the kit to a more recent model
Manchu34
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Missouri, United States
Joined: March 08, 2002
KitMaker: 493 posts
Armorama: 361 posts
Posted: Monday, March 24, 2003 - 05:07 PM UTC
Found a photo of the M6 Linebacker. This is a M2 Bradley t hat has been converted to carry Stinger missiles in place of the TOW Launvher.



I found it on the a page on the 4 Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. Not only does it provide data information of the divisional's equipment, but includes good reference photos. It's URL is http://www.hood.army.mil/4id/equipment.htm
Buzz
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Georgia, United States
Joined: December 22, 2005
KitMaker: 58 posts
Armorama: 57 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 08:42 AM UTC
Does anybody know what type of tracks you will need for this kit? I would like to replace my kit tracks with individual track links, I was thinking about getting one of the new Hobby Boss kits of the AAVP, the early version so I can use these tracks,
calvin_ng
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United States
Joined: June 23, 2008
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
Armorama: 753 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 09:21 AM UTC
if dragon could upscale their 1/72 bradley and hummer kits i would kill to get my hands on those. but, its easier said than done, i think the tamiya m2 needs alot of updating and detailing to be made into a OIF one.
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 02:26 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I believe the kit you have is the original Tamiya M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle with interior. This is the first version of the Bradley in use in the 1980s and was not used by front line forces even during Operation Desert Storm. It is a reasonably accurate early Bradley IFV.

The current infantry variants in use are the M2A3, M2A2 and M2A2 ODS. (also M3A2, M3A2ODS, M3A3, M6, M7)

Tamiya also makes an M2A2 (35152) in Gulf War markings and is fairly accurate. The tracks on the kit are the older type and not the type currently in use by US forces. The other Bradley Tamiya made was the M3 Cavarly Fighting Vehicle and is basically the same as the M2 less the interior.


Base model M2 Bradleys were indeed used during Desert Storm, alongside the M2A1 and M2A2 (see the relevant photo books released by Squadron and Verlinden immediately after hostilities to see them in action). The vehicles were scarcely ten years old, and the Army didn't have enough of the uparmored variants to go around.
Tamiya's kit is a typical 1980's model, and needs photoetch details and new tracks. Academy and Model Kasten did non-workable tracks for it. Friul do workable metal links. For a current M2A2 or A3, AFV Club offer the Big Foot tracks as workable styrene links.
Tamiya's M2 does come with a pretty substantial interior as well. It will also need non-skid texturing on the upper hull, as this is very prominent on the original. "Texture" spray paint is a popular method for adding this feature.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009 - 08:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Does anybody know what type of tracks you will need for this kit? I would like to replace my kit tracks with individual track links, I was thinking about getting one of the new Hobby Boss kits of the AAVP, the early version so I can use these tracks,


Talk about dead thread revival!!!

The Hobby Boss triangle block tracks would work fine on the original Tamiya M2A0 Bradley. Academy also makes an indi-link track set for it. If you want to spend 2-3 times the price of the kit, Fruil also makes metal tracks for it as well.
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