My latest work is another BFIST for a customer. I had an idea to backdate one of the new Meng Bradleys back into an M2A2 ODS. I started brainstorming on how to remove the added rooftop armor molded onto the Meng A3 kit roof. I could ry to sand it all off; no. I decided to swap out the rear hull roof between an Academy M2A2 OIF kit and the Meng M3A3. I used the rest of the M3A3-specific parts on the Academy kit to make an M7A3 BFIST. The tan plastic parts are from Meng, with the more yellow parts being Academy's.

Here is the result.





Here is the resultant Meng kit that will become an M2A2 ODS.


The moral of the story -- Meng parts can be swapped with Tamiya and Academy parts with a little bit of tweaking. So other versions can be made from them. Now, of course, Meng will come out with an M2A2 ODS kit.

you know the rules Gino,you have researched,sourced the parts,bought the donor kits,built it,and so Meng will release it,and for that we thank you.....

Nice work btw

Great work so far Gino!

Thanks guys. I expect Meng to announce their new M2A2 ODS right after I build mine. You're welcome.

Hi. I can't see the pics, but certainly a great work so far.
Hope that Meng comes out with an M3A2 ODS too. There I could replace some of my "improvised M3A2".
Looking forward to see some more pics.

Hmm, don't know why the pics are not showing. Here they are again.

M7A3 BFIST





M2A2 converted Meng upper hull.

Thank's for sharing your pics. Really good work!
Well I'm not sure about the M7A3, the A3 BFIST version is the same like the A3 IVF version concerning the hull?

The M7A3 BFIST comes in two versions. One is built on an M2A3 IFV hull, the other is built on an M3A3 CFV hull (with the rear periscopes on the TOW Loader's hatch as opposed to the rear deck above the ramp, removed hull side periscopes, and blanked off ramp firing ports). Apparently, there were excess CFVs that were converted to BFISTs.

This one is the version based on the M3A3 CFV.

Gino, thank you for your explanation.
In this case, I have a tip for your M7A3 model. You can remove the mounts for the trim vane, located left and right below the front lights and install the armored side skirt mounts. You can compare it with the original Meng A3 kits.

The actual vehicle I am modeling it on still had the trim vane attachment points since it was rebuilt from an earlier model. Also, this one will be a stateside vehicle, so no ERA on the side skirts.

Oh sorry, I thought the A3s have the same level of modification. I only know it from A2 ODS here in Germany that they've a mixture of it.

The M7A3 BFIST is complete. It is lightly weathered so it doesn't look overly used. Hope you like it.

(UUUUGG!! Just noticed the CITV got bumped (it's movable) and is crooked. I'll have to fix that.)







More pics here.

Very nice, great job on it! What paint did you use on your Bradley?

Thanks Andreas, glad you like it. I always use Testors Model Master enamel Sand (FS33531) for modern US sand. It looks the closest to me.

Good job Gino. But one question, M7BFIST don't have the turret's TOW launcher but a box with electronic compoments ?


http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&num=46873

That was a test vehicle from '05 that was not accepted. The fielded vehicle does not use that box nor the GVLLD (Ground Vehicle Laser Locator Designator) that is mounted in it. The fielded vehicle uses the TOW box with electronic components in it instead of the TOW parts. It is now called a BAB (Bradley Armored Box). The latest Fire Support Software (FSS) incorporates GPS and the Bradley's laser rangefinder to locate targets, also we don't use laser guided artillery (Copperhead round) any longer.

Here is a fielded M7A3 BFIST in an experimental desert camo at Ft Bliss, TX. You can see the extended rear light guards with antenna mounts. It has the standard BAB on it.



And an M7A2 BFIST. It too has the BAB on it (in green). You can see the rear flat plate as opposed to the TOW tubes sticking out.




Another M7A2 BFIST in Iraq. Note the 1 CAV, 1-82 F (Field Artillery) bumper number and the BAB.

Thanks Gino for these explanations!!

M7 pictures :

Pascal - It looks like we are both correct. Talking to some Soldiers who are closer to where the rubber meets the road as opposed to here in the 5-sided puzzle palace (US Pentagon), the latest version M7A3s do have the larger Optics box as opposed to the older version with the TOW box. They have been fielded over the last year or so. Initial M7A3s did have the smaller TOW box.

Here is the latest version.



It looks like this one will be headed back to the bench to get the larger optics box. More to follow...

Thx Gino, very interesting!
Take a look at these pics coming from BAE Systems commercial paper :



Found it here :

http://www.e-bookspdf.org/view/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5iYWVzeXN0ZW1zLmNvbS9kb3dubG9hZC9CQUVTXzAyMDIyNy9icmFkbGV5LWEzLWZpcmUtc3VwcG9ydC1kYXRhc2hlZXQ=/QTMgQnJhZGxleSBGaXJlIFN1cHBvcnR0ZSBBbXZlaGljbGUgKGEzIEJmaXMgVCkgV2l0aCBGaXJl

Thanks. Those pics help as I prepare to scratch it up.