As some of you may remember, just before last Christmas, I built an M7A3 BFIST for a friend's son who is a 1LT in 3 ID at Ft Stewart, GA. After building his, I decided I wanted one for myself.

I recently received the Orochi M3A3 for a build review from Jim here at Armorama. You can read the build review here for the basic build and issues w/the Orochi M3A3 kit.

I decided I would use this one for my M7A3 BFIST. Again, I scratch-built the new targeting box. And of course, again, I forgot to take any pics of it before I painted it. I also changed the rear light guards to be taller to accommodate the two addition antennas for the two additional radios to talk to the FA BN. There are four radios total on a BFIST. That was all it needed for the conversion. With the exception of the CIPs, which came from the spares box, the rest is all Orochi.

This is the basic vehicle I was looking to achieve.


Here is the result.






More here.

Let me know what you think.

Nice work Gino- looks great!

Thanks Jason. It was a fun build and I really wanted one of these for my collection.

Nice original model Gino. I guess that the newer dual-pad tracks are not yet available in the aftermarket.

Great dusty weathering on the camo scheme- I'm sure it was difficult getting the scheme right on the very busy and detailed turret. Really nice work Gino.

You nailed it!

Oliver - Thanks for the compliment. The new tracks are not available yet, however the track from the Academy K9 howitzer are almost identical. I have a set and am saving them for another build. There are plenty of Brads with the old track as well, so all is good.

Karl - Thanks. The camo and finish were fun, but yes a bear on some of the busy areas w/compound surfaces.

Matt - Thanks and I'm glad you like it.

Hi Gino -

To echo others, very nice build - thanks for reposting your review too, I reread it and reviewed your build pics - clearly a respectable kit (take that statement in context of the next), but to your point in the review, it is not as sharp as the Meng kit. You mention some problems with the headlight cluster in your review - seeing it built, I think the housing looks too thick...and your point about the rear door latch - seems easy enough to make a separate part in the kit - rather than cutting it off and scratch building it, and so on.

Your "build" and paintwork/weathering of the project is excellent

Cheers
Nick

Hi Nick - Thanks for checking in. Like you said, the Orochi Bradley isn't the best kit, but It can become a nice model with a bit of work. It was a fun build and it did suffice for what I wanted to do with it. I'll save the Meng Bradleys for super-detailed models. I have both the M2A3 and M3A3 to do. I will also be back-dating one to an M2A2 ODS as well, all with full interiors....eventually.

Gino,

Really like this one - nice job. I almost feel sorry for Orichi from a timing perspective. Regardless of the comparative shortcomings versus the Meng kit, you've done it credit.

Greg

Thanks Greg. Apparently, Orochi was formed by designers who once worked for Meng and they were trying to beat Meng to the punch on the M3A3. I think they probably rushed it and failed miserably. It does have some nice features (the best in my opinion is the side armor panels w/out ERA mounting bars molded on), but overall is pretty weak compared to Meng's offering.

Nice build. Looks great.

Thanks Chris. It was a fun build.