For all the Bradley experts out there. In this picture it has the "older" style side armor. Is this still used but just not in Iraq? What does the other side of the lower plates look like? (the ones at the very bottom with the step loops) If you were to raise the lower sections how would they be secured?

Kory,
The pictured version was replced by the M2A2 with added armor in '90-91 timeframe (during Operation Desert Storm). It is no longer used. As to the lower track skirts, the inner side (I think that is what you mean) is flat. If you add a piece of 0.020 sheet plastic to the backside, inside the lip, it will look correct. They are secured in the up position by removing the bolt that is in the center of the upper portion of the hinge and replacing it through the back side of the lower skirt and into the original hole again.

You can kind of see it in this drawing.

I should just start using "Hey Gino" for a subject now.. thanks again.

Would these still be used by NG units in the states for training? Also, the plate with the open slits on the very front, what is this? Extra armor or is it something used while in water to keep it from flowing over the front?

The plate on the front with the slits is what they commonly call a trim vane. It was used when the vehicle still had amphibious capability for the purpose you stated in your post.

The trim vane is no longer used and was not present on any M2A2/M2A3's that I saw in Iraq during OIF 1.

I believe all NG units have transitioned to M2A2s as well. The plate on the front is part of the swim barrier. It is raised to the front and there was canvas that came up out of the bead that runs along the upper perimeter of the hull to erect a swim barrier for river crossing. It never really worked well and was eventually scrapped. It was modifyied it on the M2A2 with a soft front barrier, but this was ineffective as well. The M2A2 ODS, current version, does not have any of the swim barrier parts any longer.

Pic of swim barrier erected on M2 Bradley.

Here in Texas, we still have the M2A0+'s. We are supposed to get M2A2's, but since the 49th Armored Division diactivated and we became the 36th Infantry Division, it is up in the air about keeping the Bradley's and goin to a light Infantry Division.
Anyways,
Kory, Gino might of forgoten that I have a A0+ sitting right outside my office door. The skirts are secured in the up position and if you would like, I can take pictures for you. The bad thing is, it would have to wait till Tuesday. I am currently out of town helping the local Recruiting Command during NASCAR weekend up here in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Pete,
Forgot you still had some ancient Brads there. Hope you guys do get the M2A2s. If not, you may be out of a job, not many TOW systems in a Light Infantry Div.

Pete, any pics you have would be sweet. No hurry either. I'm using Tamiya's old M2 kit for the interior of my M2A2 and thought I might as well build the older M2 as well.

If any of your Bradleys have the bench seats in the back I'd love a couple shots of them too. Thanks

You can email me at webfoots2001 at hotmail