Thanks to PTRUEH(PAUL) and a picture from JIMBRAE(JIM), it was pointed out that because the trim barrier is no longer on this vehicle, you not need to attach the trim barrier's poles.
So, on page 5, you need to leave off part #E10 and B24 and on page 6 leave off part #B23.

If we are wrong, please correct us. Also, SABOT(ROB), can you verify this for us.

Do we need to write Tamiya on this one????????

I noticed the poles and the swim barrier covers. I dislike making constructive comments on people's models since they normally lead to personal attacks on myself or the builder getting defensive.

Yes, they are removed from M2A2ODS vehicles, later manufactured ODS vehicles didn't even have the swim barrier equipment installed at the factory. My M2A2 still has it installed, but it is a training vehicle. It would go to depot rebuild before it ever went back into service.

You may want to consider drilling out the flag pole holders on the backside of the gunner's sight, but people rarely drill these out, even though the hole is larger than the one in a .50 cal barrel.

As I have two Bradley's sitting on the shelf (in boxes) I think I'm gonna wait for the Bradley book to come out which will serve me as the definitive guide to actually getting over my nerves and start building one. It's just the list of mods. seems positively intimidating On the other hand perhaps Bradley The Movie might be better....Jim #:-)

Both have been done. HBO did the Pentagon Wars for cable TV starring Kelsey Grammer and Carey Elwes.
The Hunnicutt Bradley book can be bought for $56.79 delivered ($90 MSRP) from A1Techbooks. I got mine in June 2003, and I think Paul got one from them this past month. Covers the M113 series and AMTRACs as well.

ROB,
I will never get mad about a critiqe from you. Your the "MOTOR POOL GOD"! On the serious note, you work every day with the real stuff, where as I am only playing with the stuff one weekend a month. And besides, its been years since I was on active duty, and alot has changed since then.
The old photoetch sets for the Bradley had neew flag pole holders, but the new set doesnt, DAMN!!!! I might fix that too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob, I guess I was thinking more of something like the Idiot's Guide To The Bradley with lotsa cartoons...Jim

The Bradley's going to be like the Sherman for 21st Century. They started out as two different variants (M2 and M3), each one has matured into the current M2A3 and M3A3 as well as the Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle (BSFV), Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicle (B-FIST), and a soon to hit the street Bradley Engineer Vehicle. Add to it the MLRS and the multitude of ODS modifications added to all variants.

It will become difficult to determine the exact variant of Bradley.

Epi, I would never get mad if Rob gave me advice either. However, there are some folks on this site that like to nay say and second guess. None of them ever offered a motor pool tour, though.
And Rob, thanks for the bringing the hideous HBO movie. I had almost forgotten about it, esp. the part where they put the sheep in the Bradley.

Yum, lamb chops...

Shaun

With that interesting mention of the continued evolution of the Bradley, can I raise a couple of points? Firstly, is the Brad undergoing a formal SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) as we have seen with so many other systems?
Secondly, I'm not knocking the basic design but, surely the original design has put future versions (engineer vehicle, armored ambulance etc.) very difficult to execute? I'm thinking of the the size more than anything... Possibly jumping ahead a bit, but in the coming years can we expect to see something like a 'stretched bradley' or is it simply going to be working within the original chassis? Looks like whatever happens the PE companies are going to be busy trying to keep up.... Jim

Rob, even with the postage that would be added on to the Hunnicutt book(s) they are still a bargain, comparing those prices with what Amazon are asking....wheeeeeeeeee!

The Hunnicutt book is a great study of post WWII US APC development with some WWII background. Great stuff on the M113 and variants and spin-offs like the YPR and Bradley and a section on the LVTP. 400+ pages. I would have like some more extreme detail shots but we have Rob's Motorpool for that.

Has anybody picked up up the new Concord book on the Bradley?

I can't claim credit for knowing the swim barrier poles should be removed. I sometimes have a good memory and this was covered on ML back around May.

How much trouble would it be to incorporate the M2A2 ODS mods on a the initial Tamiya M2A2 kits? The scratchbuilding the new covers on the gunner's sight looks like the most work.

Paul

Paul,
Its not that hard. I did that on another Bradley. I just got it back from being on display at a hobby shop and I will take some pics of it to show what I scratched built.