I'am building academy's M2 #1135,Im in the mist of converting to
a M3. There is a a rounded ridge all along the upper hull,
which if I read right is some type of fording kit. I have read
here in the forum that this needs to taken off as it is not
used on the M3.Is this correct??

The Bradley M2 and M3 kits are early versions that still maintained the swim barrier. Most are out of service but converting the M2 to M3 is real easy.

If you have the M2A2, converting that to an M3A2 will be much more difficult and the swim barrier was removed on later issues of the A2 variant when the ODS modifications were added.

Rob
Go we have any articles here on file for this
conversion,or do you know of a site that
might contain one?

Do you want to convert the older type to a new type? If so, I recommend just buying the newer type by Tamiya. That's a lot of work to do scratchbuilding.

Here is one that Vodnik converted from a M2A2 kit. He provides a brief description with it. Most of the conversion work is with the rear hatch area, rear vision blocks, and rear ramp.

M3A2

I'm not sure if we understand your plans correctly.

You have old M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle model. This variant was withdrawn from active duty US Army units in early 1990s, although can still be found in National Guard units. US Army was also using M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle and it was retired at the same time as M2. There are few external differences between M2 and M3 and conversion is easy - you even get some M3 parts in Academy (copy of Tamiya) kit, as they were selling M3 kit as well. Only interior requires serious changes as it is completely different in cavalry version.

Currently used variants are M2A2 ODS, M3A2 ODS and M2A3 and M3A3. M2Ax are infantry variants, M3Ax are cavalry variants. There is a lot of very major differences between old M2 and newer M2A2 and it is really easier to buy newer Tamiya M2A2 or M2A2ODS kit.

So what is that you want to build: old cavalry M3 Bradley? Or maybe some of more modern type?

If you want to build old M3 then you should leave the floatation kit details on your model.

Pawel

Basically I wanted to add what appears to be
the exterior armor upgrade,not the ERA package.
Maybe I should build it oob
Thanks

What kit do you have? I believe it is the original issue M3, kit # 35135.


If you want to buid it as an M3A2, you would ned this kit, M2A2:

or for a current M3A2 ODS in OIF, this kit:


For the latter two (M3A2 or an M3A2 ODS) modifications would need to be made to the top troop hatch, rear periscopes, rear ramp, and removal of the swim barrier (some M3A2s still had swim barrier as well though, so it could be left on the non-ODS upgrade version). For the initial M3, all the parts you need are in the kit, simply use the blanked off side gun ports and you have an initially fielded M3. The interior layout is different on all three from the kit interior, so much mods would be needed to model an M3 interior.

Another option is to upgrade your M3 by purchasing the added sprues for each version from Tamiya. They sell individual sprues for about $5 each. It is a great way to upgrade their older kits with the new bits that come with newer kits. Here is their contact info:
Tamiya Cust Serv

Here are the M2A2 directions to help you out if you buy the additional Tamiya sprues. Just click on assemby guide pages.
M2A2 instructions
M2A2 ODS instructions

I did this with the M2A2 model and bought the new ODS sprues and track to bring it up to latest standards for my M7A2 B-FIST that I built last year.

Good luck and hope that clears it up for you.

I have the Academy kit #1335 which is if I
understand this right is a rehash of tamiya's
M2

I think you should build it OOB. Adding the exterior armor means converting the model to M2A2 standard and this is a HUGE task. Even Tamiya in their M2A2 kit missed a lot of details that should be changed to fully accurately depict this type. Please note that M2A2 vehicles are not just M2s with added armor - these are significantly different vehicles. In any case Tamiya M2A2 or M2A2ODS are much better starting point to build what you wanted to get.

Pawel

Yes, you have the Academy copy of Tamiya's M2. All of my above post still applies. I think your best bet to get an M2A2 or M3A2 would be to buy the extra sprue from Tamiya for the M2A2 kit. It would get you the same model, and be cheaper than buying a whole new kit. It builds up nicely straight from the box, but if you want to super detail and to correct it, use Vodnik's great Bradley correction article as a guide.

Good luck.

It is just important to remember that to have all M2A2 parts it is necessary to order two sprues - one with armor parts and the other with upper hull and turret parts. It should indeed be still cheaper than full M2A2 kit.

Pawel

Ok I have the same thing as the first picture.
Im going to build this straight oob.Thanks for the
help guys.
Note to self:learn to use spell check.