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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Meng: M2A3 Bradley
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 05:33 PM UTC
Been doing this build for awhile now and posting on another website but a friend encouraged me to post here as well.

It's only my second armour since starting back modelling last year so please be nice

Here is where I'm up to presently.

Without the top on


M2A3 internal weathering WIP by manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr

With top dry fitted


M2A3 Bradley Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr

But if you'd like to see the rest of the build, the pictures can be found here.

https://flickr.com/photos/124486668@N08/sets/72157649234857866

I'll post progress as I go now. And hope I've done this right.
Hisham
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Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 05:36 PM UTC
First of all, welcome

And there's no need to ask us to be nice, you've done a great job so far... look forward to see the whole thing finished

Hope I can start on mine some day soon

Hisham
Tojo72
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 06:07 PM UTC
That is outstanding detail work on that interior.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 07:07 PM UTC
Welcome to the forum. Those Meng Bradleys are great kits.
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 07:57 PM UTC
Thanks guys for the welcome and reassuring comments.

Had planned it Out of the box, as the level of detail in the kit is fantastic, but after chatting to others decided to go that little bit extra with some basic wiring and internal stowage.

Was cautious with all this extra and internal weathering, as my first armour was a Tamiya Abrams with no inside at all. But I am pleased with how it's turned out so far and glad others like it too.

It's my first Meng kit but won't be the last, as have bought the Russian BMPT Terminator since starting this build and just ordered the 6x6 cougar
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 08:33 PM UTC
Looks like it is coming along really nicely. A couple pointers on the details though. The duffle bag on the left side should not be sand w/brown straps. It should be overall medium green, including straps.



The water and fuel cans are off in color as well. The water cans come in sand, black, and less commonly dark green.


(Disregard the blue one, it is a civilian model.)

The fuel can (3-bar handle) comes in a medium beige/brown color, not green.



Overall, it is coming along great. A few tweaks on the details and it can look even better.
Cookiescool2
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Georgia, United States
Joined: May 09, 2014
KitMaker: 273 posts
Armorama: 270 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 09:26 PM UTC
Amazing weathering! Definitely looks realistically used and grimy!
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 11:55 PM UTC
That's looking fantastic so far. Love the extra details and the weathering
35th-scale
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Kildare, Ireland
Joined: November 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,212 posts
Armorama: 2,807 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 02:30 AM UTC
Told ya they'd like it over here Peter
Heavysteel
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United States
Joined: January 09, 2015
KitMaker: 6 posts
Armorama: 5 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 04:03 AM UTC
Man that is one nice start, Keep up the Great work.
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 10:37 AM UTC
Aye, that you did Sean

Cheers very much guys.

Anyway next up pictures of the completed inside turret. Built purely OOTB and a lot less weathering applied as once sealed up little will be visible through the hatches and didn’t want to go over the top and lose a lot of the detail from the kit.


M2A3 Bradley Turret Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Turret Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley Turret Interior Finished by Manxman, on Flickr
tankerken6011
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New Mexico, United States
Joined: December 04, 2013
KitMaker: 84 posts
Armorama: 81 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 07:35 AM UTC
Awesome looking, that Meng kit is nice. Very nice job on the weathering.

How did you get he photos to post from flickr?
Ken.
bat-213
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Canada
Joined: December 30, 2011
KitMaker: 902 posts
Armorama: 788 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 09:31 AM UTC
great work love all that detail work ,well done .
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 11:37 AM UTC
Cheers Bat.

Thank Ken and in answer to your question on Flickr I just grab the individual photos bbcode. Within Flickr if you select an individual picture in bottom left hand corner of the screen you'll see a little share or forward arrow. Select this and then chose the bbcode tab of all the options that appear. Select an image size, I find medium works best and then copy the code and paste it directly into the post window on the forum.

Hope this helps.
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - 01:03 PM UTC
So that's the hull and turret buttoned up no going back on the interior now.

Still making steady progress, but time at bench has been limited. Anyway finally got the external turret basics all built to a point where it now ready for a base coat of paint before adding the remaining detailing. Hope I might get some time for that over the long weekend but one never knows.


Turret build external WIP by Manxman, on Flickr


Turret build external WIP by Manxman, on Flickr


Turret build external WIP by Manxman, on Flickr


Turret build external WIP by Manxman, on Flickr
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Armorama: 1,339 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - 03:01 PM UTC
Looks great Peter.
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2015 - 11:02 AM UTC
Thanks Jesper,

Got a little more done over the weekend, initial two base coats of sand paint onto the turret.


M2A3 Turret initial base coat by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Turret initial base coat by Manxman, on Flickr

But did manage to start to the prep of the cupola, inside of the range finder and gyroscopic camera. No pictures presently though

Thanks for still following
Manxman
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Cavan, Ireland
Joined: May 21, 2015
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 - 12:55 PM UTC
It's getting towards the end finally

Just a few tidy ups left before I'll apply a coat of Klear to the turret. Then it's decals and weathering.


M2A3 Bradley WiP by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley WiP by Manxman, on Flickr


M2A3 Bradley WiP by Manxman, on Flickr
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