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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Kinetic M3A3 Bradley
HermannB
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 12:42 AM UTC
Seen on PMMS.

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/newkitnews/kinetic.html
ReluctantRenegade
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Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 02:48 AM UTC
I hope it’s an improvement over the Orochi kit it’s based on...That one was mediocre at best.
Wingtsun
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: July 16, 2006
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 03:00 AM UTC
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/240648&page=1

There was a previous thread about this from October
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 04:24 AM UTC
It is an improved version. This thread has better info on what was updated/changed.
B2Blain
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United States
Joined: February 26, 2008
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 10:55 PM UTC
Why are manufacturers making multiple kits of A3 version? Meng, Orochi, Kinetic... We need an OIF A2 version with side racks.
skyshark
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: November 16, 2005
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 11:09 PM UTC
Well I'm just wondering why one of the companies don't make a kit to do a basic M2/3 1st gen to M2/3A3 with interior


Also a M1/M1IP w/ interior
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 11:11 PM UTC

Quoted Text

We need an OIF A2 version with side racks.


You could always convert one yourself. Eduard makes the side racks in PE. The Tamiya M2A2 ODS is a good starting point, or backdate and super-detail a Meng M2A3 to get one.

3ID M2A2 ODS Meng Backdate

By the way, only 2 BDE, 3 ID Bradleys had the side racks. They were locally made in Kuwait and added to APS 5 (Kuwait) draw vehicles. 2 BDE drew their vehicles from APS 5, 1 BDE drew vehicles from APS 3 (Afloat), and 3 BDE brought their vehicles from their home station, Ft Benning, GA.
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
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Posted: Monday, December 11, 2017 - 12:13 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Why are manufacturers making multiple kits of A3 version? Meng, Orochi, Kinetic... We need an OIF A2 version with side racks.

Kinetic kit IS Orochi kit. With new tracks and a few other new parts.
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
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Posted: Monday, December 11, 2017 - 12:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I hope it’s an improvement over the Orochi kit it’s based on...That one was mediocre at best.

There's only a few new parts, so don't expect dramatic improvement. But some areas were certainly improved.
The biggest selling point are T161 tracks, but unfortunately they come with solid, not hollow guide horns. Still, they are the only T161 tracks on the market.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, December 11, 2017 - 12:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The biggest selling point are T161 tracks, but unfortunately they come with solid, not hollow guide horns.


Aditionally, they are incorrect for a Bradley (M2A3 or M3A3) w/ERA blocks on it. ERA is only used in combat and were last used in Iraq about '08-'09. The T161 tracks were introduced post Iraq in the last few years. They were not in use when the ERA was last in use. If you build it w/ERA, swap the tracks for the older square-block "Bigfoot" tracks. The older style sprockets are still in the kit.


Quoted Text

Well I'm just wondering why one of the companies don't make a kit to do a basic M2/3 1st gen to M2/3A3 with interior


It could be done, but it wouldn't be practical. There have been too many changes over the years to make all the different versions in one giant kit. You would have a bunch of left over plastic. With the current kits available (Tamiya, Academy, Meng, Orochi/Kinetic) you can build any version you want. You can cross-kit interiors and details to get everything you need for any version.


Quoted Text

Also a M1/M1IP w/ interior

You can combine the Panda M1 with the full interior from Rye Field to the get that as well.

Pretty much any Abrams or Bradley can be made with the current kits available. It is a great time for modern builders.
B2Blain
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United States
Joined: February 26, 2008
KitMaker: 86 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 11, 2017 - 02:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

We need an OIF A2 version with side racks.


You could always convert one yourself. Eduard makes the side racks in PE. The Tamiya M2A2 ODS is a good starting point, or backdate and super-detail a Meng M2A3 to get one.

3ID M2A2 ODS Meng Backdate

By the way, only 2 BDE, 3 ID Bradleys had the side racks. They were locally made in Kuwait and added to APS 5 (Kuwait) draw vehicles. 2 BDE drew their vehicles from APS 5, 1 BDE drew vehicles from APS 3 (Afloat), and 3 BDE brought their vehicles from their home station, Ft Benning, GA.


Yup, doing that right now. But when you add the Meng M-2A3, Tamiya M-2A2 ODS, and Eduard side racks it ends up being a good chunk of change.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
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Posted: Thursday, January 04, 2018 - 10:12 PM UTC
Kinetic now shows the M3A3 as in stock
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, January 04, 2018 - 10:28 PM UTC
I was sent a pre-production sample and it looks pretty good. It fixes pretty much all the issues the Orochi kit had. It also addresses the option of how to build it without the ERA blocks. With the new T161 tracks, it looks like a pretty nice kit.

Boxart
panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: July 20, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, January 04, 2018 - 10:32 PM UTC
blog this up Gino!
Dan
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Thursday, January 04, 2018 - 10:57 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I was sent a pre-production sample and it looks pretty good. It fixes pretty much all the issues the Orochi kit had. It also addresses the option of how to build it without the ERA blocks. With the new T161 tracks, it looks like a pretty nice kit.

Boxart

great! Just ordered mine. Does it have the no-slip on it?
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Thursday, January 04, 2018 - 11:24 PM UTC
Yes, non-slip texture is molded on, as it was on the Orochi version.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Thursday, January 04, 2018 - 11:35 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Yes, non-slip texture is molded on, as it was on the Orochi version.
Thanks- I can't remember anything about the Orochi kit anymore.
Tankrider
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 12:07 AM UTC
Gino,
Are the cable steps on the lower skirts separate (ala Meng) or still molded onto the skirt as the original Orochi kit had them?
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 12:27 AM UTC
The step cables are the same molded on ones as Orochi did them. The areas they improved are the TOW launcher, rear door handle, front and rear lights, and a few other small areas. The all-new parts are the T161 tracks and sprockets for them, and interior parts and TOW tubes for the TOW Launcher, etc.
Tankrider
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 01:25 AM UTC
Gino,
Thanks for the run down. It is too bad about the molded on steps but I'm sure a workaround can be sorted out, with a bit of thinking.

John
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 01:34 AM UTC
Voyager makes a PE set for the lower skirts that includes seperate step ropes.


Thirian24
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 02:49 AM UTC
I built the Orochi kit.. and in my own opinion, it's my best looking kit thus far. I'll be picking this kit up for sure. Now I just need to finish ah up the Tamiya M2A2 ODS and the two MENG variants. I sure do love Bradleys.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 02:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I built the Orochi kit.. and in my own opinion, it's my best looking kit thus far.


I wouldn't go that far. The Orochi kit had quite a few issues. I still think Meng's are the best out there, with this new Kinetic one now a very close second.

Here is the sprue of new parts and T161 tracks on Facebook (where you can't link pics from, damn it!!!).

https://www.facebook.com/Kineticmodel/photos/a.226570047510114.1073741828.129238860576567/857872277713218/?type=3
Thirian24
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 04:00 AM UTC
What I meant was, it's the best looking kit I've created with my own two hands. Not that it's a perfect kit, just that I did a good job building it. Lol
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 07:09 AM UTC
Now I am following you. The Orochi kit could be made to look really nice with a little TLC and some elbow grease.
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