M3A2 Bradley CFV - further progress.
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 09:54 AM UTC
The work on my Bradley is progressing slowly. I finished scratch building the swim barrier and all its straps and applied forest green paint to the whole vehicle in preparation for NATO 3-color camouflage.
Some areas were already painted NATO black, as it was easier to paint them before some parts were attached (e.g. areas behind raised last side skirts were painted before I attached skirts). I also applied mud to tracks and suspension before I glued side armor and skirts to the hull.
All new photos are in my gallery here:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/photos/showgallery.php/cat/12451/ppuser/2325Here are higher resolution versions:
http://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_01.jpghttp://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_02.jpghttp://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_03.jpghttp://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_04.jpghttp://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_05.jpghttp://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_06.jpghttp://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_07.jpg
Any suggestions and comments are welcome!
Rgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
Texas, United States
Joined: May 30, 2002
KitMaker: 1,038 posts
Armorama: 377 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:04 AM UTC
I thought the green on the NATO paint scheme was darker.
Infantry, Queen of Battle
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:14 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I thought the green on the NATO paint scheme was darker.
Not necessarily - the green on M3A2 in Verlinden Warmachines book about Bradley is surprisingly light. But my model is actually much darker than it looks on photos.
Rgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
Texas, United States
Joined: May 30, 2002
KitMaker: 1,038 posts
Armorama: 377 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 01:38 PM UTC
Cool beans, cant wait to see it finished.
Infantry, Queen of Battle
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: February 20, 2003
KitMaker: 5,762 posts
Armorama: 2,283 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 01:39 PM UTC
Looking good. What model did you use? The picture seem a little dark.
--==Shonen Red==--
-=Filipino Modeler=-
#003
Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 01:49 PM UTC
Amazing work Vodnik. The paint hides a lot of the extra work you have added ....... and makes a lot of it invisable to those not familar to the bradley .... like myself. But I have followed the threads and know whats there. With all the detail on this model it would be a wash and dry brusher´s dream only for the camo! Love your anti-slip coat ... hopefully its all still visable after finishing!
IPMS Stockholm
"The problem with common sense, is that it is not that common"
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: December 25, 2003
KitMaker: 629 posts
Armorama: 340 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 02:01 PM UTC
Vodnik-
Looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but what are the differences, visually and mechanically, between the M2A2 and the M3A2? If there is not too many differences, I just might try converting the 1:72 scale Revell M2A2 just to keep my skills honed (and my wallet relatively full
).
Kyle
Q: What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers?
A: Mechanical Engineers build weapons, Civil Engineers build targets.
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 08:05 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Looking good. What model did you use? The picture seem a little dark.
You think the picture is dark? Hmmm... Maybe the half of it really is. The green color on the picture is actually too light - in reality it is darker (Tamiya NATO green).
Model is 1/35 Lee Models copy of Tamiya M2A2 Bradley. I don't recommend it to anyone - generally big POS. If you want Bradley, get Tamiya - it has enough problems itself, but at least the mold quality is very high and parts actually do fit (unlike Lee model...).
Rgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 08:10 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Amazing work Vodnik. The paint hides a lot of the extra work you have added ....... and makes a lot of it invisable to those not familar to the bradley .... like myself.
I think all modifications should be easily noticeable for anyone who ever built Tamiya kit (or this ugly Lee copy). But the most important is that I know those changes are there
Quoted Text
But I have followed the threads and know whats there. With all the detail on this model it would be a wash and dry brusher´s dream only for the camo! Love your anti-slip coat ... hopefully its all still visable after finishing!
It looks that the anti-slip coating effect will be quite subtle, but definitely still visible after camo application.
Rgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 08:25 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but what are the differences, visually and mechanically, between the M2A2 and the M3A2? If there is not too many differences, I just might try converting the 1:72 scale Revell M2A2 just to keep my skills honed (and my wallet relatively full ).
Kyle,
Most important difference is the function - M2A2 is infantry vehicle and its main goal is to deliver troops to the battlefield and support them with its weapons. It has more seats in back compartment for the troops. M3A2 is cavalry version and its goal is scouting, observation and fire support. It has seats for just two observers at the back, but has much more ammo, particularly more TOW missiles, which take a lot of space at the rear of the vehicle. So the main difference is in arrangement of the interior of the rear compartment. The only external difference is elimination of all vision blocks/ports from the hull and firing ports on rear ramp on M3A2. In M2A2 there are three periscopes behind the cargo hatch, two periscopes on right side of the rear hull and one periscope of the left side. All are missing from the M3A2 variant, but instead there are four persicopes installed in the cargo hatch, which is more rounded and better armored than the one in M2A2.
While removing and filling all hull periscopes and firing ports in the back ramp is relatively easy, scrachbuilding the new cargo hatch is a bit more difficult. But not impossible, check this photo:
http://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m3a2/m3a2_3_05.jpgRgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:13 PM UTC
That is sweet Vodnik.
A couple of questions for ya .
Is that the Kit barrel?
How much of the armor did you use or all replaced?
Thanks
Great paint so far.
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: February 20, 2003
KitMaker: 5,762 posts
Armorama: 2,283 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:24 PM UTC
Quoted Text
You think the picture is dark? Hmmm... Maybe the half of it really is. The green color on the picture is actually too light - in reality it is darker (Tamiya NATO green).
Model is 1/35 Lee Models copy of Tamiya M2A2 Bradley. I don't recommend it to anyone - generally big POS. If you want Bradley, get Tamiya - it has enough problems itself, but at least the mold quality is very high and parts actually do fit (unlike Lee model...).
Rgds,
Pawel
Oooppss... sorry, last time I look at it I was using a public computer. Now I can see the details very well. Nice work!
--==Shonen Red==--
-=Filipino Modeler=-
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:26 PM UTC
Quoted Text
That is sweet Vodnik.
A couple of questions for ya .
Is that the Kit barrel?
Yes, it is a kit part.
Quoted Text
How much of the armor did you use or all replaced?
I only replaced first and last sections of side skirts and single armor plate on the turret (left front slope). All other parts are from the kit, although some were modified.
Rgds,
Pawel
Quoted Text
Thanks
Great paint so far.
Thanks!
Rgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
Vatican City
Joined: May 13, 2002
KitMaker: 3,271 posts
Armorama: 2,388 posts
Posted: Monday, February 02, 2004 - 06:05 PM UTC
Looked like a solid build. verie nice!
The mono paint is not yet a true exhibition of your superb painting skill that had been demonstrated in your previous projects, will comment on how nice it looked once all the camo is on. can't wait.
You truely is an inspiration to all modern builders, and I think you rank very high along with Toady man, and Sabot to be a hell of a modern builder!
Dave O'Mally aka Davidus ArwenIsMineus Pig No. 2, Da Jackel
A servant to the Sty - Liaison Officer for Z-Team to the Sty
Commandant U-Boot Waffe der Pigsmarine, OD is Extremely Asexual
Minister of OD Paint Removal
Order of Wisconsin 2 Parts Grenade
S
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 15, 2002
KitMaker: 1,745 posts
Armorama: 1,483 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 03:21 AM UTC
Do you have any Shots of the swim barrier before u painted it?
Thanks
California, United States
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 5,885 posts
Armorama: 3,799 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 03:43 AM UTC
No critique from me at this stage Pawel - I'm a Bradley fan and look forward to see your end result. I'd safely wager it's going to turn out quite nice.
Gunnie
Museum Associate Curator, Military Vehicle Technology Foundation (MVTF), Portola Valley, California
GunTruck Studios
AMPS #1044
IPMS/USA #24551
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 09:53 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Do you have any Shots of the swim barrier before u painted it?
No, unfortunately I don't. Front swim barrier was quite a mess. I made it first from aluminum foil, but it was too thin and too wrinkled, so I applied some Tamiya putty over the foil. But it still didn't look good, so I used Milliput to give it the final shape. I'm not 100% happy with it, but at least it looks much better than the kit part.
Rgds,
Pawel
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
California, United States
Joined: October 06, 2002
KitMaker: 239 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 10:07 AM UTC
Nice job, Vodnik!
The swim barrier looks great as well.
Keep us adviised of your progress
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: December 25, 2003
KitMaker: 629 posts
Armorama: 340 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 12:16 PM UTC
Hey Vodnik-
Thanks for the answer. It helped a ton.
Kyle
Q: What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers?
A: Mechanical Engineers build weapons, Civil Engineers build targets.
Alabama, United States
Joined: September 18, 2003
KitMaker: 842 posts
Armorama: 607 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 12:53 PM UTC
like gunnie, i'm waiting for the finished thing...your a wonderful builder to follow along with...i'm still in awe of the m-923...
glack
