I am working on a commission for a M2A3 Bradley and I needed to know what some of the smaller changes are that might be pertinent.

I already have the CITV planned out, and the bustle mounted ELPRS antenna. I am looking over the Drivers areas to see what can be done about adding the armor and "fixing" the left side outside the hatch on the Tamiya M2A2 ODS kit (I might let a bit of this slide).

My question is if the bolt on armor package changed on ALL M2A3's, if the maintenance "shelf" on the left side of the hull under the turret is gone now, and if the A3's all have the ERA blocks or not.

Thanks

There are a bunch of A3's here in the motor pools. I haven't seen any mounting the ERA blocks....as yet anyway. I have a contact who can get the specifics you're looking for, to include pics. I'll contact him and see what he can come up with. Were I still on active duty, it'd be no problem. I get some might funny looks now-a-days asking if I can grab some pictures of things. Go figure. I'll let you know what I find out. "Q"

I have pages from the parts manual of the added armor on top of the turret plus other stuff.

Yes, the shelf is left off. Also, the pioneer tolls have different locations. Also, the "dog house" is different on the A3 version.

Thanks guys,

Actually EPI, I have your manual scans from what...two years ago? That is what i turned to first. I have gotten pics off of Prime Portal too.

I thought the ERA blocks would be left off other than in Iraq, but I was not sure if the "slide racks" to put the ERA blocks on were a permanent fixture or not.

The Doghouse changed from the A2? Did not know that. I will look into it.

I am also looking to see if the bolt on armour on the rear deck and turret top are consistent, or optional. I am assuming they are a integral part of the A3 build and necessary...drat.

I am also noticing more of the bolt on armor on the hull sides over what used to be applique? or welded on armor plates?

If only I had known what I was getting into...

Why do you think I haven't started my A3 project!!!!!! LOL

I have a terribly insane idea...if I do this conversion properly, I will need to make 2. If so, it might be better to just cast up 2 copies...or maybe more.

(Hesitantly he asked) Is there interest in a conversion for the A3?

Hell ya!! I would definitely be interested in a resin conversion set. Keep us posted.

I would buy one in the same minute as it was released.

Erik

Heck yes!

Jaqcues,
I'm havning trouble getting in touch with my contact. He might out of town. Hasn't returned any calls. I'll keep checking with him though. As to an interest in an A3 conversion..yes! I'll let you know when I find something out. "Q"

Sounds good so far.

The conversion attempt would be for the additional armor as thin resin-cast plates, Doghouse replacement, the CITV, and the antenna mount. And instructions on what to do. Seems simple enough for a first conversion from me... (Don't count on nothin' yet guys, no styrene has even been scored yet...)

And yes, all the help I can get in photos the better. I have Epi's scans of the TI manual pages, so that is a big help right there. What I need are some specific top side shots of the armor layout, the mounting point for the base of the CITV, good overall shots of the "Doghouse" from all angles, close shots of the additional armor plates added on the side, and the drivers area armor additions.

What I DO NOT want is for someone to get into trouble for security issues attempting to get these photos, so make sure all is on the up and up before you aquire and transmit info. I expect no problems but then again, it would not be my rear in a sling either.

Overall, it looks like a fair amount of work but a good kit to cut my teeth on for a first publiclly offered conversion kit.

Sounds great. Put me on the list for a set.

I just remembered,
while i was on MEDHOLD back at Ft. Bliss, there was an air show and they hada M1A2 SEP and M2A3 Bdradley from the local unit on display. Got to take some shots of what you are asking for. Let me go throught them and compile them up and i will shoot them to you. Give me an email address to send them.

OH, DO BEARS S#$t in the woods? of course we would like a n A3 conversion set.

Oh, and the turret bustle will need to be worked over too. And maybe some of the Tamiya armor plates.

Epi, I REALLY see why you have...avoided...this conversion. Oh well, where angels fear to tread and all that...

My only worry is making poor quality parts. Bad enough to let down a non-imformed buyer for one commission, but to screw up dealing with all of the knowledge on this board...i shudder at the thought.

Maybe thats why no one has attempted this either. I've only seen 2 A3 models out there so far.

If you use the Academy kit, a 1/4 of the work is already done.

Looking over photo's, there appear to be Four variants already:

1. Publicity/ trials vehicle with M2A2 optics in the Doghouse, "sunshield" plate over Doghouse, and no additional armor plating.

2. OIF M2A3 with M2A2 optics in the Doghouse, "Sunshield" plate, M2A3 Doghouse extension, additional armour unknown.

3. M2A3 with new optics (equal right and left side lenses) with new doors, "Sunshield" plate, Doghouse extension, and additional upper surfaces armor.

4. M2A3 with new optics, housing extension, NO "sunshield", and altered armor plating ( I am assuming due to changes in ERA mounting).

So there is quite a variety already, not too surprising.

Epi, if you can get me some shots of the area where the bustle meets near the CITV as well, and of the doghouse from all angels, and of the new doghouse optics interior plate (for the equal size lenses) I think I will be able to get going on this with MUCH more confidence. It looks like a lot of work, but not as bad as I thought.

So there is yet hope...

my hats in

I am interested, count me in

Does anyone know what is housed in the Doghouse extension? Or why the area around the drivers hatch has those 2 posts on either side?

No idea on the doghouse extension.

The two posts are to keep the TOW guidance wires from getting caught on the sharp edges around the hatch area. It was found that the wire would get caught and sometimes cut and the missile would go out of control. The posts stopped the problem.

Jacques,
Can you be a little bit more specific on what your asking about "doghouse extension"?

Gino,
I didn't know that about the post on the left and right of the drivers hatch. I thought they where hand holds. At all the live fires that I have been to, I never saw the wires get that low when the missile left the tube until it was disconnected from the missile when it hit it's target. Not that I am disagreeing with you sir, I just never thought that the drivers hatch was an issue with distrupting the wires.

I haven't seen it either, but that is what they are for. They do work as great handholds too.

Wow, in the 15 years on working on the TOW system on the Bradley, I never new that. I learned something new today.

Epi, from the pics I have found and the TI images you provided it looks like the new A3 doghouse is the old A2 housing with a offset rear extension. It is almost the same size as the doghouse, but does not fully go to the left (from the gunner hatch position). I don't have time at the moment, but I can post a pic later...

just wondering if it might be a cooling system or some sort of "add on" for hot climate stuff since it seems to cover the entire back plate of the Doghouse and does not seem to be a integral part.

And cool news on those posts...never had a clue they would be used for THAT.