Before applying decals (Future airbrushed over the whole model in preparation for decals and washes):
With decals added:
Rgds,
Pawel
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M3A2 Bradley CFV - identity
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 09:19 AM UTC
My Bradley got its identity today. It is no longer "a Bradley" - it is now vehicle HQ-24 from 1st Bn, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Tomorrow I will add Excercise "Centurion Shield" REFORGER '90 markings. Then I will apply some washes, before restoring the flat finish with Dull Cote.
Before applying decals (Future airbrushed over the whole model in preparation for decals and washes):
With decals added:
Rgds,
Pawel
Before applying decals (Future airbrushed over the whole model in preparation for decals and washes):
With decals added:
Rgds,
Pawel
phoenix-1
Joined: December 25, 2003
KitMaker: 629 posts
Armorama: 340 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:02 AM UTC
Looking good, Vodnik. I can't wait to see the finished project. Only two questions this time. The first, were you planning on adding a unit board on the back of the turret? I noticed the missing ammo can mounts and was just curious. The second, do you still have small items to add yet? I only ask because it looks like, from the pics, that the gunner's sight is missing the glass for the sights themselves. Based on the quality of your previous models, it just doesn't seem to be something you would miss. Regardless, it is turning out to be another spectacular build.
Kyle
PS- Thanks for refering me to your article about updating the M2A2. It has so far helped a ton.
Kyle
PS- Thanks for refering me to your article about updating the M2A2. It has so far helped a ton.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The first, were you planning on adding a unit board on the back of the turret? I noticed the missing ammo can mounts and was just curious.
Yes, there will be a square yellow board with "T" letter. I don't know what this is supposed to mean, but vehicles from 16th Infantry Rgt. had such marking on them during Centurion Shield.
Quoted Text
The second, do you still have small items to add yet? I only ask because it looks like, from the pics, that the gunner's sight is missing the glass for the sights themselves.
Yes, there are still some small things to add, including the gunner's sight glass.
And of course there will be some crew gear in bustle rack and on the rear of the vehicle (not as much as on OIF vehicles however).
Rgds,
Pawel
MajorNumpty
Joined: April 14, 2003
KitMaker: 60 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 11:19 AM UTC
Nice work Vodnik, can't wait to see the finished product. I'm planning to convert the Acedemy M2 to a M3A1 CFV. How did you build the straight turret bustle and the periscopes on the crew compartment hatch?
jrnelson
Joined: May 23, 2002
KitMaker: 719 posts
Armorama: 566 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 11:33 AM UTC
Hi Pawel-
Very nice looking Bradley! I really like the paint scheme you have done on it. I just have one question for you - I am not up on modern armor at all, so take this for what it is worth :-)
That paper on the back of the missle launcher is still intact - yet the missles have been fired? Perhaps they have not been loaded yet - or would that paper still be intact after firing the missles?
Anyway - super job so far! I can't wait to see it finished.
Later-
Jeff
Very nice looking Bradley! I really like the paint scheme you have done on it. I just have one question for you - I am not up on modern armor at all, so take this for what it is worth :-)
That paper on the back of the missle launcher is still intact - yet the missles have been fired? Perhaps they have not been loaded yet - or would that paper still be intact after firing the missles?
Anyway - super job so far! I can't wait to see it finished.
Later-
Jeff
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 02:29 PM UTC
Vodnick,
Brad is looking great, however, the bumper number you have chosen is not accurate. Usually, the only bradleys assigned to a HQ Company are the Bn CDR and Bn S3 vehicles and would be numbered HQ 66 and HQ 33 respectively. Unless you have documentation of the actual vehicle numbered that way, you may want to change it.
Brad is looking great, however, the bumper number you have chosen is not accurate. Usually, the only bradleys assigned to a HQ Company are the Bn CDR and Bn S3 vehicles and would be numbered HQ 66 and HQ 33 respectively. Unless you have documentation of the actual vehicle numbered that way, you may want to change it.
SS-74
Joined: May 13, 2002
KitMaker: 3,271 posts
Armorama: 2,388 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 03:00 PM UTC
WOW! Lord Vondik, it's awesome!!! I am no fan to modern armor, but this is way cool.
Lord Nelson, I think you might be wrong, I am sure with Lord Vondik's expertise on the subject, he might trying to duplicate a case that the firing mechanism is raised waiting to load the TOW. I am sure he will give a explain on this. can't wait.
Lord Vondik, truely masterpiece, now you need to do an TKS, and see if you can pull it off the same as you do with modern stuff.
Lord Nelson, I think you might be wrong, I am sure with Lord Vondik's expertise on the subject, he might trying to duplicate a case that the firing mechanism is raised waiting to load the TOW. I am sure he will give a explain on this. can't wait.
Lord Vondik, truely masterpiece, now you need to do an TKS, and see if you can pull it off the same as you do with modern stuff.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 04:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Vodnick,
Brad is looking great, however, the bumper number you have chosen is not accurate. Usually, the only bradleys assigned to a HQ Company are the Bn CDR and Bn S3 vehicles and would be numbered HQ 66 and HQ 33 respectively. Unless you have documentation of the actual vehicle numbered that way, you may want to change it.
Not correct. The old scout platoons in armor and mechanized infantry battalions consisted of six M3-series Bradleys. These vehicles were assigned to the headquarters company. During REFORGER 90 (The Great Nerf Ball War), heavy division scout platoons used either the six Bradley platoon or the three M901 ITV/three M113A2 platoon formation. The ten M1025/1026 HMMWV scout platoon was a post-Desert Storm development. Note that this scout platoon is the organic scout platoon formation within an armor or mechanized infantry battalion and not applicable to the scout platoon formation for a divisional or regimental cavalry squadron.
BTW, I've been in units where the bumper numbers were either HQ-## or HHC-## or a combination of the two.
Yellow_Snow
Joined: May 23, 2002
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 04:10 PM UTC
nice work. One small detail is the vision ports are overpainted in camo colors. Are you planning on painting them as glass as the very last step after final weathering?
AJLaFleche
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 8,074 posts
Armorama: 3,293 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 04:20 PM UTC
This is one of the nicest Bradleys I've seen. Any Scale. My only concern is that some of the paint looks too grainy, especially the black.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 04:45 PM UTC
I stand corrected. Forgot about the Bradley Scout PLTs in Mech Bns and the old E Co Anti-Tank Brads too.
Manchu34
Joined: March 08, 2002
KitMaker: 493 posts
Armorama: 361 posts
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004 - 06:46 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Forgot about the Bradley Scout PLTs in Mech Bns and the old E Co Anti-Tank Brads too.
Want to add a few words myself, being a retired 11H man myself. When the M901 in the old E Co. were replaced they got replaced with M3s. At least in the 4 ID (reflagged 2 AD). Also their bumper numbers would have been the letter "E"
Great job so far.
Whiskey
Joined: May 30, 2002
KitMaker: 1,038 posts
Armorama: 377 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 07:05 AM UTC
Ahhh the last great REFORGER. My old man was in that before he went to the gulf. Something about that Bradley though, it seems a bit too glossy for some reason to me. Maybe add some weathering to it?
DutchBird
#068
Joined: April 09, 2003
KitMaker: 1,144 posts
Armorama: 526 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 08:50 AM UTC
Whiskey,
I assume that it is future, or some other gloss coat. As this gives a smoother surface, this will make it easier to get decals on without any side-effects, and they will stick to the model better...
Vodnik, I hope I am right...
Harm
I assume that it is future, or some other gloss coat. As this gives a smoother surface, this will make it easier to get decals on without any side-effects, and they will stick to the model better...
Vodnik, I hope I am right...
Harm
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Ahhh the last great REFORGER. My old man was in that before he went to the gulf. Something about that Bradley though, it seems a bit too glossy for some reason to me. Maybe add some weathering to it?
As Harm already correctly noted - the glossy cote is Future. I wrote in my original post that it was applied to make decals adhere better and to prepare the model surface for oil washes.
Rgds,
Pawel
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:21 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Want to add a few words myself, being a retired 11H man myself. When the M901 in the old E Co. were replaced they got replaced with M3s. At least in the 4 ID (reflagged 2 AD). Also their bumper numbers would have been the letter "E"
Markings on my M3A2 Bradley: 1-I-1-16 / HQ-24 came from Concord USAREUR book. There is a photo of this particular M3A2. The one on the photo even has the TOW launcher in similar position - raised in firing position, but empty, with canvas cover on the back. The vehicle on the photo in the book was taken late during the excercise, what is obvious from the poor condition of adhesive labels/marking on the side of the vehicle. I will make my Bradley as it was early during the excercise - with labels still in pristine condition.
In Concord Bradley book there are some more photos of M3A2s during Reforger'90 They are from 1-I-1-16 and 1-I-3-34^ and all have HQ-2x markings.
Rgds,
Pawel
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:24 PM UTC
Quoted Text
My only concern is that some of the paint looks too grainy, especially the black.
The grainy paint is a non-slip surface! And I added it on purpose! :-)
Rgds,
Pawel
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:27 PM UTC
Quoted Text
nice work. One small detail is the vision ports are overpainted in camo colors. Are you planning on painting them as glass as the very last step after final weathering?
What you see now are small rectangles of Tamiya masking tape, overpainted with camouflage colors. Once I finish painting I will remove the tape. Under the tape are pieces of thin clear styrene sheet, painted black on the back side (painted side was coated with Microscale Kristal Klear and glued to kit parts). I hope it will give a nice "glass" effect.
Rgds,
Pawel
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:38 PM UTC
Quoted Text
That paper on the back of the missle launcher is still intact - yet the missles have been fired? Perhaps they have not been loaded yet - or would that paper still be intact after firing the missles?
This is actually canvas cover, not paper. Paper covers are installed directly and idividually in missile tubes. Canvas protects the whole rear of the launcher with the loading/unloading mechanism.
I noticed the configuration of the launcher as in my model on a few photos of real Bradleys during various excercises. Usually the missile launch simulators are used in the launcher, but during Reforger 1990 they were not used (at leat not a single photo I have shows them - maybe they were not yet available at the time?). I guess crews were just training simulated missile launches, but without any live or inert missiles in the launcher. They were just training launch procedures, and to do that they didn't bother with removing the canvas cover, which would normally be removed before loading missile tubes.
Rgds,
Pawel
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:58 PM UTC
Quoted Text
How did you build the straight turret bustle and the periscopes on the crew compartment hatch?
Hatch: First I partially filled the inside of the kit hatch part with Milliput (or something similar), to have more thickness to work with. Then I modfied the shape of the hatch using knifes, files, sandpaper etc.. Next I added modified periscope parts that were supposed to go on the back of the hull and added bolt details from styrene sheet and sheet. I also modified hatch hinges, as their configuration is slightly different in CFV hatch than in IFV hatch.
Bustle rack - Actually I didn't have to modify anything, as my model is based on M2A2 kit and it already includes straight rack. But to give it more "in scale" thickness I removed upper part of the rack wall, leaving just enough to be able to glue new part to it and replaced it with a piece of 0.010" styrene sheet.
Rgds,
Pawel
Yellow_Snow
Joined: May 23, 2002
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 05:01 AM UTC
Thanks for the answer to my question. Think maybe you could lump your answers into one post instead of individual ones? Makes it somewhat difficult to find a new question or comment when having to scroll through 6 posts in a row by the same person. Just a thought.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 05:17 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Think maybe you could lump your answers into one post instead of individual ones?
I used "quote" button to reply to each individual question - to reply to everyone in one post I would have to manually copy and paste each quote to the post. I agree that it would make it easier to read, but I just didn't have time to do it this way when I was replying earlier today.
Rgds,
Pawel
Smoke86
Joined: February 20, 2004
KitMaker: 33 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 08:46 AM UTC
Vodnik,
This is awesome and I can't wait to see this done. A bunch of questions on this:
1. Is this the Lee Models M2A2 you have one your site?
2. What references did you use specifcially for this one, and what sources do you recommend typically for modern subjects?
3. How long have you been building and how long have you been superdetailing/scratch bulinding like this?
If you answered the questions before I appolegize, I'm new to the site and relativle new to the hobby.
Thanks,
This is awesome and I can't wait to see this done. A bunch of questions on this:
1. Is this the Lee Models M2A2 you have one your site?
2. What references did you use specifcially for this one, and what sources do you recommend typically for modern subjects?
3. How long have you been building and how long have you been superdetailing/scratch bulinding like this?
If you answered the questions before I appolegize, I'm new to the site and relativle new to the hobby.
Thanks,
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 10:37 AM UTC
Welcome to Armorama Smoke!
Yes, that's the same one.
The best printed reference for detailing Bradley I know, is Verlinden Warmachines No.5 "M2/M3 Bradley IFV/CFV" book. The book covers mainly older A0 and A1 variants, but the main reason why I converted my Bradley to M3A2 variant was that there are also some very good pics of this variant in this book. Books from Verlinden's Warmachines series are generally great references for modern armor. Concord book "M2A2/M3A2 Bradley" is very good source of "in action" style photos, which let you get a feeling how Bradleys look "in the field", but there are not many detail shots in it.
Internet is also a great reference information source - one of the best sources of great detail shots of US armor is Sabot's MotorPool gallery here on Armorama: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/motorpool.
Some of other Internet "must see" web sites for modern armor are for example:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/referencepictures.htm
http://community.webshots.com/topics/4/107204_views_0.htm
http://community.webshots.com/album/32726986ToTgiJ
There are many other of course - good way to find photos of particular vehicle is to use its name with Google image search.
I started building models as a little kid with my father (some 25 years ago) and since then I regularly return to the hobby. Usually I build models for a few years, then I have a couple of years break from modeling. Each time I return to modeling, I try to build them better than I did before. This means that I often rebuild old models! My last break from modeling has ended a year and a half ago and since then I only managed to finish two models (MiG-29 and M923A1) - that's because I've chosen the superdetailing route this time and it takes a lot of time (which I unfortunately do not have much available...) to build anything. All other models shown in gallery on my web page were built during previous "modeling period" some six or seven years ago - you can easily tell the difference in detail and finish between them and what I do now. I also have a lot of even older models in my display case, but I didn't want to scare visitors of my web site with pictures of them
Best Regards,
Pawel
Quoted Text
1. Is this the Lee Models M2A2 you have one your site?
Yes, that's the same one.
Quoted Text
2. What references did you use specifcially for this one, and what sources do you recommend typically for modern subjects?
The best printed reference for detailing Bradley I know, is Verlinden Warmachines No.5 "M2/M3 Bradley IFV/CFV" book. The book covers mainly older A0 and A1 variants, but the main reason why I converted my Bradley to M3A2 variant was that there are also some very good pics of this variant in this book. Books from Verlinden's Warmachines series are generally great references for modern armor. Concord book "M2A2/M3A2 Bradley" is very good source of "in action" style photos, which let you get a feeling how Bradleys look "in the field", but there are not many detail shots in it.
Internet is also a great reference information source - one of the best sources of great detail shots of US armor is Sabot's MotorPool gallery here on Armorama: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/motorpool.
Some of other Internet "must see" web sites for modern armor are for example:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/referencepictures.htm
http://community.webshots.com/topics/4/107204_views_0.htm
http://community.webshots.com/album/32726986ToTgiJ
There are many other of course - good way to find photos of particular vehicle is to use its name with Google image search.
Quoted Text
3. How long have you been building and how long have you been superdetailing/scratch bulinding like this?
I started building models as a little kid with my father (some 25 years ago) and since then I regularly return to the hobby. Usually I build models for a few years, then I have a couple of years break from modeling. Each time I return to modeling, I try to build them better than I did before. This means that I often rebuild old models! My last break from modeling has ended a year and a half ago and since then I only managed to finish two models (MiG-29 and M923A1) - that's because I've chosen the superdetailing route this time and it takes a lot of time (which I unfortunately do not have much available...) to build anything. All other models shown in gallery on my web page were built during previous "modeling period" some six or seven years ago - you can easily tell the difference in detail and finish between them and what I do now. I also have a lot of even older models in my display case, but I didn't want to scare visitors of my web site with pictures of them
Best Regards,
Pawel
Smoke86
Joined: February 20, 2004
KitMaker: 33 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2004 - 03:37 AM UTC
Thanks Vodnik,
I was curious as to if that was the one on your sight, it looks great. But the resoucres where what interest me. I use a combo of internet resources (the photo links you mention I'm using now on my M981 FISTV on the bench) and US Army TMs which I can get fairly easily. I kind of shy away from Verlinden books; I've bought two of his "technique" books which are full some great modeling work and finsihing but very weak on information. Plus 15 bucks a whack for 'Warmachines' versus going to my Technical Library at work (for Modern US stuff anyway) and borrowing a TM or photocopying it (free).
But when I see the detail modelers get from Verlinden Warmachines I see its worth it.
Thanks again,
I was curious as to if that was the one on your sight, it looks great. But the resoucres where what interest me. I use a combo of internet resources (the photo links you mention I'm using now on my M981 FISTV on the bench) and US Army TMs which I can get fairly easily. I kind of shy away from Verlinden books; I've bought two of his "technique" books which are full some great modeling work and finsihing but very weak on information. Plus 15 bucks a whack for 'Warmachines' versus going to my Technical Library at work (for Modern US stuff anyway) and borrowing a TM or photocopying it (free).
But when I see the detail modelers get from Verlinden Warmachines I see its worth it.
Thanks again,
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