I am finally putting all that information Epi gave me (Thanks) into motion. These are 2 M2A3 Bradley's I am building on commission. They are not perfect in detail by far, but for the time line I have been given, they are a very good representation.



Through building these, my first real major conversion from Scratch, the other was my M1025 HMMWV w/ASK, I am pretty happy with how they came out.





The CITV is too narrow and the side motor box is too wide...something I will fix in the masters I am working on for a kit. There are also a LOT of conflicting detail data on the web from the technical drawings and photo's of the real vehicles. So until I see a really nice walkaround of a M2A3 that shows all the upper hull positions of the add-on armor and new stowage positions for the tools, I will be winging it!





And also with this order I am building a M1 Initial, M1A1, and a M60A1. Fun, fun, fun.





I am going to be ready to go back to Soviet armor after this. Sheesh.

Your M2A3s are looking great. Put me on the list to buy one of your conversion sets when it is ready. Awesome job.

Jacques,
I thought I sent you the pics I took of an A3 Bradley while i was at Ft. Bliss. I didn't get to take a whole bunch of pics of it but just what i thought was important like the top of the turret with armor.

Nope, I did not get them. Go ahead and send them again if you would, I can use all the help i can get for the masters. I think i have it about 85% correct, but I want to do some real tweaking to get it at least 90%. And thanks for the help if I did not mention it before.

Thanks for the support Gino. We will see how the master work comes out, but it is looking good so far. I will have the CITV able to turn and pivot, so it can be "fussed with" a bit.

What, like this one?

Very nice builds.

Sweet. That looks really nice Jacques. Like Gino I'm also very interested in a M2A3 conversion set. Keep up the good work.

Erik

[quote]What, like this one?

quote]
In my best Oliver Twist voice, can I 'ave more sir? . Yes, please post some more pics 18B. I've been curious to know the turret layout too for some time and see how it differed from my ride, other than obvious CITV stuff. Thanks for posting that teaser. "Q"

Jacques,
If you don't mind, I am going to post the pictures here for the other guys.

Oh, and count me in on one of those A3 conversions also. All my reference and a Tamiya and Acdemy kit are in the waits for this build.


Damn! I don't have the pictures here on my work computer. It will have to wait till I get home tonight to post them since they are on my home computer. Unless I can get my lovely wife to be a nice a email them to me.

Jacques, looks great thus far. Count me in for a convesion when you have them ready. Thanks for posting. "Q"

Jacques, I like. I've always wanted to see someone do the A3 conversion and am hoping we'll see an AM conversion sometime in the future. Pete I can't wait to see those photos too. Keep it up.

Jeff

I'd definitely be interested in getting the conversion kit.

Great work!

Here yoy go Jacques and guys! I took these at an air show at Ft. Bliss during pre deployment training. This is one of the A3 stationed there.

Insert Monty Burns voice over here..."excellllent" thanks for posting those. "Q"

[quoteYes, please post some more pics 18B. I've been curious to know the turret layout too for some time and see how it differed from my ride, other than obvious CITV stuff. Thanks for posting that teaser. "Q" [/quote]

Sent 21 pics last night. Hope you can use them.

Thanks Epi! Those photos help answer a lot of questions. Now I just need clear photos of two spots:

1. the back of the gunner's doghouse with the new fitting. Basically, did they remove a periscope to add the rear addition with supposed cooling equipment?

2. The rear deck between the turret and the large troop hatch. I see how they moved a lot of the stoage, so what is there now?

If anyone can provide those shots, that would be great. 18Bravo?

Yes, got all of them. Much appreciated. "Q"

You probably already pulled this from my album, but just incase, here it is again. Along with 18B pic, this might clarify more.



Let me flip through the TM's and see what I can find for you.

Thanks guys, we are getting there.

For the back deck, I am wondering what is in place where the hand tools used to be? Maybe nothing? THey moved the hand tools to where the poles for the fording kit used to be, so it is possible they just left the deck empty, to save ankles!

Again, for the doghouse I am looking for the proper shape of the add on cooling system and also how it fits with the turret top. Looking over what photos I have and the Tamiya kit, it seems that it could not taper enough for the right side periscope to clear, so maybe it was removed? I have no photos that show that part.

And what is with that troop compartment door? It looks like a kids clay representation of what the older one looked like, all lumpy and bulged in the middle. This just gets to be more and more work...

Sorry, man. I've been out for about four days. I thought someone else might have gotten to it for you. Is this what you're talking about?

PERFECT! Thank you very much.

Here is the finished product. I am only showcasing one of the two M2A3's I built. Again, some of the details are lacking for a -A3, but I was not going to go all out for a commission.





CITV and other detail shots. These turned out ok, but the masters I am working on will be significantly more accurate. I was particularly pleased with how well the bustle rack antenna came out.





The Doghouse doors. Dealing with the doghouse for the masters may end up being a compromise considering how the Tamiya and Academy kits are made. After seeing that really good photo above (Thanks again!) I am not sure WHAT to do.



I will post more about possible kit parts and such as I finish the pieces for the master. Even with the build the way it was, doing a M2A3 Bradley is very impressive and it stands out even among other M2 Bradleys, and not because of my "mad build Skillz"! That CITV really is a distinct bit o' kit.

Also, here are the M60A1, the M1 and the M1A1 I finished as well. Not nearly as entertaining as the M2A3, but they were still fun.

The Bradley turned out great. I can't wait for the masters to be done. Great job.

The Abrams looks kinda plain... Maybe youu can try adding some stowage?

Customer wanted the kits built "clean". They are meant for trade shows or corporate offices, so they need to showcase the equipment, not the crews!

But yes, to me they look half naked without all the extra gear.