I'm looking for yet another photo of M2A2 or M3A2 Bradley. What I need is a photo of the bottom of the launcher in the firing position (the side that is facing the turret when launcher is in transport position).

Tamiya kits have the old style launcher included - even the new ODS kit has the old launcher - the front of the launcher is very different in M2A2, but I managed to modify it in my model to look more like the new launcher. The rear of the launcher is also different with single release handle instead of old two and this part is very simplified in Tamiya kit anyway, so I will just put a cover on the launcher and not add any detail there. The other difference between old and new launchers is the bottom plate, between the two support arms that attach the whole launcher to the big hinges. I have one photo that barely shows this area on old M2 and it looks that there is some plate, probably with lightening holes between support arms. Tamiya made this plate in their model but without holes - just with shallow round hollows.



I can't find any clear photo of this part of newer style launcher. Some photos I have suggest however that there is no plate between the support arms at all. Two photos in Europa Militaria Bradley book show the launcher from the front and slightly from above and it is obvious that you can see right through the launcher between the launcher tubes, thus suggesting the lack of bottom plate there. The single photo of this part I've found on the web is below:



Indeed it looks like there is no bottom plate, but what is this lighter rectangle?...

Also note that bolts on both sides of the launcher where flush with the launcher wall in M2 and are now simplified and stick out of the wall in M2A2.

Can anyone help me here? I think it may be difficult for Major Rob to take the picture of the launcher bottom as it requires starting the vehicle and raising the launcher, but maybe someone already has a good picture? Other option is a scan of TM - I'm sure there must be a drawing in a M2A2/M3A2 OpManual or some maintenance manual that shows the bottom of the launcher. Unfortunately Bradley TMs are not available for free download - still too sensitive information in there

Best Regards,
Pawel

Ther are no see through holes on the bottom of the launcher. Ther is just the connector that contects the cable from insinde the turret to the launcher. In my 12+ years working on the TWO system of the Bradley, I think I replaced at least 1 launcher a year. Not a very good task to accomplish.
Rob might be able to take that picture for you. It doesnt require to turn on the whole vehicle. All that needs to be down is to turn on the master power switch on the drivers consol and then turn on the turret power switch in the turret and then elevate the launcher. Now if the turret batteries are dead, then you have to turn on the vehicle. And I dont think Rob wants to manually elevate the launcher, what a pain!!!! I think I have a spare launcher in our cage back at my unit, but it wont be until the first weekend of December before I can get there.

Pete,

Of course your experience with Bradley is first hand, while I only know it from photos, but I'm 100% sure that at least in some M2A2/M3A2 vehicles you can see through the launcher. I will scan photos from a book I have at home and post them later today. These photos clearly show that when looking at the M2A2 launcher from the front and at an angle from above you can see the through the launcher... I don't have photos now, but below is my drawing that shows what I mean:



The red area is where I can very clearly see through the launcher on some pictures...

Rgds,
Pawel

OK, so here are the photos I mentioned earlier. The first is scanned from Concord book, two others from Europa Militaria book.





On all photos you can see through the launcher betweet tubes.

Regards,
Pawel

Pawel,
Goes to show how my memmory is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No You got me curios, going to have to tear up our parts cage next month to see if we have a launcheer and what version is it, TOW or TOW2B. Oh yea, that the difference between the 2 launchers, one is the earlier TOW version and the other is the newer Version of TOW.
Just curious, the 2 pictures of the sand Bradley, are those A3's. Cause the "Dog House represents the newest ISU(Itergrated Sight Unit) for the gunner. Compare it to the pictures in Robs Motor pool. Its mor squred off, the doors are different, and the mirrors are more centered. I am pretty sure this is the new sight where the Night sight and day sight are much in one peice, where as the other ISU, the night sif=ght is a seperate pice that can be removed to be worked on.

Yes, it is A3. The Europa Militaria "Bradley Company" book contains a lot of detailed photos of A3 variant. I am even contemplating scratchbuilding one based on those photos using Tamiya A2 kit, but this project has a low priority now among hundreds of others...

Regards,
Pawel

I just found this photo:



So at least now I know how the bottom of old TOW launcher looks like, but still can't find a similar picture of a newer one...

Rgds,
Pawel