Hello All,

Well here is the 2nd part of my in progress work on the Tamiya M2A2 built up to the current 3rd Infantry Division Operation Iraqi Freedom variant.

So far the work I have done:
1. Added the non-slip texture to the hull top, still need to do the turret.
2. Changed the primary sight to the "window shutters" type (sorry Sabot I don't what they should be called and used 35mm negative film for the lens. Also scratchbuilt the new, sun shade/armored cover (not completely accurate, but I did the best that I could at this stage with my skills).
3. Rebuilt the front lights, added wiring, drilled out headlights (MV lenses will be added after painting), added new rivets, etc.
4. Rebuilt part of the rear tail-light section, added rivets, etc.
5. Added the IFF panels to the rear stowage boxes.
6. Scratch-built right and left side cargo racks, and added the ammo cans to the side skirts.
7. Used the Barrel Depot 25mm gun in place of the kit gun, it might not be the new fluted type, but it looks so cool (the flash suppresor at the end is a totally seperate piece)!

Um, I think thats all for now. All of the pictures are here at my Yahoo pictures site under...wait! You guessed it..."Model Pics" Sorry not very original I know, but I'm trying.

http://photos.yahoo.com/ctmi911

Thanks for looking (and please be gentle, remember I'm only a newbie ),
Chris

This just in....I was on a roll tonight! Got a ton done with the Bradley, stained the base, and built the basic structure for the "Sadam Shrine". Gotta love working midnights, I stay up even on my nights off (yes I am as white as a ghost!). The highway signs (not the ones in the photo, those were just for testing) were made for me by my father on Coral Draw, they came out great (nothing like a 73 y/o that knows more about computers than I do). I will post a picture of them soon as well.

For Jimbrae, thanks for the encouragement! If I can be of any help to you as you build your "Brad" just let me know!

For Scoccia: thank you also for the encouragement! I appreciate all the feedback that everyone gives me, I think it has helped me a ton to not get "modelers block".
I like after-market barrels, the Barrel Depot m2 barrel is amazing. I don't know about actual dimensions, but the (for lack of a better term) "bird cage" flash suppressor looks really good, I doubt that I could have gotten the kit barrel to come out as well. I also have the BD barrel for my M1A1, it too looks good. Not quite as cool as the Bradleys, but it sure beats trying to sand the kit one round:)

Gosh, can you tell that I talk on a radio for a living (which is just as well as they tell me.."you've got a face made for radio").

Thanks again everyone and have a great day (or night depending on where you are)
-Chris

Keep the reports coming Chris, you're doing a great job. I was overlooking the fancy new gunbarrel. I'll have a look for the barrel depot gun now. I've actually started on the planning out for the top hull reckon I'll rebuild the lights as well.... Cheers, Jim

It look great so far. I'm not a fan of aftermarket gun barrels, do you really tink they are worth the investments? Keep on posting updates...
Ciao

superb work looking forward to seeing the finished article

You are on a roll. Very nice build. I love the extra work you've done on it. It will really be nice.
The tracks look a bit on the loose side. The photo of the right side up on the phone. There looks to be some sag? Don't know if thats a byproduct of the photo, the track, or if its just set in place for the photo op.

Lookin' good can't wait to see it in the diorama.

I am glade some one is doing more modern vehicles.You are indeed doing very well. I would like to know a little more about how you got the size of the side stowage racks? What are you using as building material.
yes indeed a very nice job!

Nice build... you did a good job. What have you used for stowage boxes on hull sides?

Mario M.

looks great, very nice work

Bender

Very nice work. Scratch building parts adds a lot to the subject. And you do it very well..

Excellent work. You are apologizing too much for things. Remember, if you are pleased with the out come and it makes you happy, then that's what modeling is all about. I too am looking forward to your finished model. I know it will look great!

Hi Chris,
I'm well impressed with the work on your Bradley, overawed even. Have you kept any of the sizes of the stowage baskets? I would like to know more on the material & sizes of the scatchbuilt parts if you don't mind sharing. I saw a preview of the new Tamiya kit of the Bradley and of other US vehicles used in OIF, on the side of them there looks like a fluted metal square sort of like a vent of some sort any ideas what they are and what they were used for? See links below
& [img]http://www.tamiya.com/japan/show0305/photo/an_sc2.jpgimg]
You've listed this as Part 2 can someone tell me where to find part 1? Chris, I have to agree with the others and can't wait to see the finished article & diorama.
All the best, Kenny. | |)

Wow, thanks everyone!

I just want to start off by saying you are a great bunch of folks, I have been really excited during this building process and I have enjoyed sharing it with all of you.

Again thanks!

Chris

And now on to the new stuff:

For Maki: the stowage boxes are from the Legends Ammo box set, I believe that they are 20mm ammo boxes. I found a couple of pictures of them being used like this and I thought that they looked cool, big fan of the "clutter look".

For Stormin: here is a link that explains about the panels much better than I could,
http://call.army.mil/products/user-gui/95-3/chapter2.htm


And here is the dimensions and parts list for the racks and the IFF panel:

1) Evergreen Streyne Strip .25x1.0mm (cross members) E102
2) Plastruct Streyne Channels .16mm (Anchor points and front Supports) P90531
3) Plastruct Streyne Angles 1.2mm (Top and Bottom Front, and Top Side Supports) P90501
4) I couldn't find any pictures of the floor, so I made it with Evergreen sheet streyne, I don't know which one, it was some very thin stuff that I had lying around.

The dimensions are:
Right side: 2cm high by 8cm long by 2cm wide
Left side: 2cm high by 6cm long by 2cm wide

Also, I added the IFF panels on the rear with Evergreen "Clapboard Siding" #4101, this will give me the 6 "slats". I think that it might be a bit small, but works for me. Also (whew) as a side note, I have the Legend IFF panels that came with their M1 accessory kit, and they are small compared to the photos that I have seen (but bigger than my scratchbuild ones...)

I think I worked out the dimensions to scale. Roughly 1.7cm/.67" by 2.1cm/.83", and the "slats" should be about .11" each (x6) (I think, hope!).

Regards,
Chris

As a postcript to Chris' superb work, as I am also working towards a GW2 M2A2, one thing I have noticed is that some of the vehicles are carrying the 'older' style IFF panel on the front above coiled tow rope. Some vehicles are also carrying POL cans in the middle of the tow-rope. The thing that all the vehicles have in common is the amount of crew storage. I just hope Tamiya get their fingers out of their **Ses and get the storage set on the market soon..... Also being carried on the front glacis plate is a spare sprocket..... Jim

I am watching the progress on this in awe. Great, clean, scratch building. (Making racks has always been a problem for me. If you don't get everything square, it really shows) Great layout on the base. I am getting ready to head the the "White Gold Village."
Anywho, I am impressed...

I am impressed over this Bradley. Some beautiful detailing there. Very tough looking. Is that out of box? or did you do any of the "extras" by hand? Hope to see more pics!

Looks good. Be looking forward to your next progress report. What brand Bradley is that?

There were 2 really good 3ID M2A2 pics in the DOD image pool. I think they are gone now but I've got them on my harddrive if you need them.

Paul