I picked up Tamiya's M2A2 Bradley; and was wondering if I could use am OIF etch and resin to convert it to the OIF version.

Yes, Legends has a couple OIF PE and Resin set for it that will upgrade it. Also, Voyager has a few sets.

You will also need to update the tracks with the square block ones as seen in the AFV Club Bigfoot track set. You will also need a fluted barrel, among other items.

Check Pavel's article on Acurizing Tamiya's M2A2 kit and his ODS Modifications supplemental article. These will get you an early 2000s M2A2 ODS Bradley as used by 3 ID in the initial invasion.

If you want to go cheaper, you can order the new ODS sprue and tracks from the Tamiya M2A2 ODS kit by contacting Tamiya America (scroll to the bottom for the phone number). The sprue and track costs about $10, plus shipping (which is very reasonable).

The other question is when in OIF are you shooting for? They changed a bunch throughout the war from '03 till '11.

I'm looking for one to match my M1A2 Abrams. The specific time period is not important, other than both vehicles being fielded. I'll contact Tamiya about the new sprue.

Follow Pavel's articles above and they will get you an M2A2 ODS Brad that can go with an M1A2 SEP in OIF.

I know there is M2A2 Bradley's but wondering if I had a Tamiya or Academy Bradley and there are update sets that you can use to make a M2A2/A3 was there any M2A3 Bradley's used in OIF or Afghanistan before I get the updates I would like your guys expert option before getting the updates so I have a accurate diorama.

What is a good update set or PE out there that are better then other ones including resin. I greatly appreciate your guys options a lot.

If I wanted to even do a IFOR diorama were there any used in that conflict also. I am trying to expand my painting skills and I think the IFOR conflict would be a nice challenge in 3 color nato colors.

Happy Modeling
Bill

If you mean an update set to bring the original Tamiya (or Academy copy) M2 kit (M2A0) up to a current(ish) M2A2 or M2A3 then the answer is no. If you want a newer M2A2, start with one of the Tamiya M2A2 or M2A2 ODS kits or Academy's M2A2 Iraq kit.

For an M2A3, Legend makes a great resin and PE update set.

For PE, Voyager, Eduard, and Legend make a few good PE sets for both M2A2s or M2A3s.

There is no conversion set to make an M3A2 or M3A3. You would have to scratch build the M3A2 roof hatch and fill in the gun ports on the rear ramp. The Legend M2A3 set can be used to further make an M3A3.




In Kosovo (KFOR, IFOR) M2A2 ODSs Bradleys were used. Tamiyas M2A2 ODS kit includes KFOR decals.

M2A2 ODS and M2A3s were used in Iraq. It depends on when which dictates whether it was an A2 or A3 version.

No Bradleys have been deployed to Afghanistan.

OK, that helps a lot I knew someone would know and your one of the nuts an bolt counters that are very well respected on here an the info is just what I needed. I needed something to go with my Abrams an that just help me decide.

Thanks Gino your the best I appreciate your time and knowledge. Now I have choices to choose from.

Happy Modeling
Bill

Would the Bradley have been deployed, at the same time and to the same theater as the M1A1 AIM? I seem to remember a documentary with Bradleys operating alongside M1A1s. The battle of 75 Easting, if memory serves.

Yes, tanks and Bradleys are almost always mixed on the battlefield. Each Tank company usually has one Bradley platoon and each Mech Infantry company usually has one Tank platoon task-organized to them for the commander to use. It gives each company commander a bit more flexability to have both infantry and armor to use.

In Iraq for OIF (Mar '03 - Dec '11) M2A2 ODS and M2A3 Bradleys could be seen along side M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP tanks. It dependied on the unit and timeframe as to what combination you would see. It was more common to see M1A1 AIMs and straight M1A2s (non-SEP) with M2A2 ODSs; and M1A2 SEPs with M2A3s though as most units got both updated pieces of equipment about the same time.

The Battle of 73 Easting took place during Operation Desert Storm on 26 Feb '91. It involved M1A1 (non-AIM) tanks and M3A1 Bradley CFVs from the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment who decimated two brigades of the Iraqi Republican Guard.

More info here.

To add a bit more info and hopefully make the Bradley timeline a little more clear for builders...

The original M2 (M2A0) Bradley IFV (Infanry Fighting Vehicle) (Tamiya #35132 or Academy #1335) with interior is only good up through the late '80s. By Operation Desert Shield (Aug '90-Jan '91) most Bradleys had been upgraded to M2A1 versions with the side gun ports removed and the larger turret basket added.




Before the start of the ground war in the Middle East, Operation Desert Storm (ODS) in Feb '91, most units traded their M2A1s for M2A2 Bradleys (Tamiya kit #35152) with upgraded armor. These had the same interior as the original M2A0, but Tamiya deleted the interior parts in their kit. You can still get an M2 interior and drop it in though.



After ODS, in the early '90s, units submitted lessons learned and improvements to be done on the Bradley to make it more survivable in combat. These included a fluted barrel, new Gunner's Primary Sight box, more armor around the turret, deletion of the flotation skirt and its supports, new tracks, short poles around the driver's hatch to keep the TOW wires from catching on the hatch, bench seats along the sides in the rear, and some others. This version is called the M2A2 ODS (meaning it had the post-ODS improvements added) and was used from the mid-late '90s through the early 2000s (about 2005) and were the type used in Iraq and the Balkans. Many, but not all, of these changes are captured in the Tamiya M2A2 ODS kit (#35264), which reperesents an older M2A2 upgraded to M2A2 ODS standards. Again, the early versions of these still had the same interior as the original M2 kits. You can drop an older interior in these as well. Some of the nes drawn from PrePo stocks in Kuwait and used by 3ID in the initial invasion of Iraq ('03) still had the individual seating in them.



Most of the upgrades are also included in the Academy M2A2 Iraq 2003 kit (#13205). It represents a new-build M2A2 ODS with pretty much all of the ODS mods included in the kit. Academy left the out of date and incorrectly molded track in the though. You will need to replace these tracks with a set From AFV Club or Fruil.



M2A2 full ODS mods interior.


To see what can be done to further improve the M2A2 and M2A2 ODS kits, check out Vodnik's great article on updating them.

The latest version is the M2A3 Bradley which was fielded around '04-'06. It adds more armor on the roof and a CIV (Commader's Independant Viewer) sight onto the right rear of the turret. Legend makes a conversion set that allows you to take either the Tamiya M2A2 ODS or Academy's M2A2 Iraq 2003 kits and upgrade them to an M2A3.



All of the above type changes also apply to the M3 Bradley CFV (Cavalry Fighting Vehicle) series as well, with the timelines being pretty much the same. The M3 CFV also deletes the rear ramp firing ports, has a different top rear hatch, and a different rear interior seat layout. Tamiya made an M3 CFV which was pretty accurate for an M3A0 version. No one has produced a later model M3 with the modified rear roof hatch though.




Hope that helps all.

This should show ALL of my photos from the build a few years ago.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/123326&page=1

Thank you for the info. I should be receiving the M1A1 AIM, this week. I already have Tamiya's M2A2. So, I will be working from these base kits.