International Scale Modeller

This is my entry to the modern armour SIG







I am assuming that most of you have seen Puls indepth review of this kit so to save time and space i have taken shots of the sprues together instead of indiviually









The instructions look good and easy to follow

















































The History bit

The Bradley fighting vehicle is manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments (formerly United Defence) and includes the M2 infantry fighting vehicle and the M3 cavalry fighting vehicle. It is in service with the armies of the USA and Saudi Arabia. Since 1981, 6,720 vehicles of both types have been fielded.

The role of the M2 infantry fighting vehicle is to transport infantry on the battlefield, to provide fire cover to dismounted troops and to suppress enemy tanks and fighting vehicles. The M2 carries three crew, commander, gunner and driver, plus six fully equipped infantry men.

The M3 performs scout missions and carries three crew plus two scouts.
Bradley M2A3 / M3A3 upgrade programme

The US Army A3 Bradley upgrade programme includes improvements based on operational experience in the Gulf War. The first low-rate initial production M2A3 / M3A3 Bradley was delivered in November 1998 and entered service in April 2000. The system was approved for full-rate production in May 2001.
"The Bradley vehicle system includes the M2 infantry-fighting and the M3 cavalry-fighting vehicles."
The upgrade of 120 vehicles (80 M2A3, 29 M3A3 and 11 A3 BFIST fire support) was ordered in February 2005. In June 2005, a contract for the upgrade of an additional 450 vehicles to A3 standard was placed.
Over 3,390 vehicles have been upgraded by October 2010.

In October 2010, BAE Systems was awarded a $91m contract to replace the old and damaged systems of the 552 Bradley vehicles of the US Army. In November 2010, the US Army placed a $250m contract to procure long-lead items for 247 Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness (ODS-SA) vehicle conversion kits. A total of 202 kits have been used for the conversion of Bradley ODS vehicles to the Bradley ODS-SA configuration and remaining will be retained for future vehicle conversions. A further $270m contract was awarded for the conversion of 245 ODS-SA vehicles in October 2011.
In February 2011, BAE Systems received a $47m contract to update 95 Bradley vehicles with new equipment and technology.
In August 2006, a follow on contract was awarded for 96 vehicles (57 M2A3, 16 A3 BFIST and 22 A2 ODS BFIST) and, in November 2006, for 610 vehicles (490 A3 and 120 A2ODS). In July 2007 a further 172 vehicles (108 A2, 60 A3, four BFIST) were contracted. The US Army's requirement is for 2,545 upgraded Bradley A3 vehicles.
The upgrade includes the improved Bradley acquisition system (IBAS) for the TOW missile from DRS Technologies and commander's independent thermal viewer (CITV), from Raytheon which use second generation thermal imagers derived from the US Army's horizontal technology initiative (HTI). The imagers are based on a 480×4 scanning infrared focal plane array.

The IBAS also has day TV and direct view optics, automatic dual target tracking, eyesafe laser rangefinder and two-axis stabilised head mirror. The thermal imaging DRS Technologies driver's vision enhancer (DVE), AN\VAS-5, uses a 320×240 uncooled ferroelectric scanning array. A combat identification system is being installed. The electronics system includes a databus with central processors and digital information displays for commander, driver and squad leader.
Bradley urban survivability kit (BUSK)

Under a contract awarded in January 2008, BAE Systems supplied 952 Bradley urban survivability kits (BUSK). BUSK includes: high-powered, hand-held directional spotlight, sight protection for the turret external optics consisting of a mesh encased in a steel frame and a lightweight, non-conductive 'dome tent' structure to protect turret and crew from low-hanging electrical power lines.
A commander's light automatic weapon (CLAW) – a 5.56mm light machine gun integrated with the A3 fire control system and fired under armour – is under development for the BUSK as well as additional armour to counter the effects of mines and improvised explosive devices (IED). Syracuse Research Corporation is supplying CREW-2 electronic warfare systems for 1691 Bradley vehicles. CREW-2 is designed to jam remotely controlled IEDs to prevent the detonation of roadside bombs.
Under contracts placed in October 2008, BUSK also included fire detection/suppression systems and advanced survivability seats.

Stats

Type Armored fighting vehicle
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 1981–present
Used by See Operators below
Production history
Number built 6,720[1]
Variants See Variants below
Specifications
Weight 27.6 t (4,350 st)
Length 6.55 m (21.5 ft)
Width 3.6 m (12 ft)
Height 2.98 m (9.8 ft)
Crew 3 + variable number of passengers depending on variant
Armor Spaced laminate armor: 30 mm AP and RPG all around protection.[2][3] explosive reactive armor.
Main
armament
25 mm M242 chain gun
TOW anti-tank missile
Secondary
armament
7.62 mm M240C machine gun
Engine Cummins VTA-903T diesel
600 hp (450 kW)
Power/weight 19.74 hp/tonne
Suspension torsion bar
Operational
range
483 km (300 mi)
Speed 66 km/h (41 mph)
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) is an American fighting vehicle platform manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, formerly United Defense. It was named after U.S. General Omar Bradley.

1st update
I started with the suspension system and assemley

















next up the floor together with the internal armour and components



















The driver and passenger seats









then fixed in place with some of the instruments







The radiator assembly





Engine unit assembly







The transmission assembly









The engine intake system with PE





The drivers bulkhead assembly





Turret basket bulkhead





A few more internal parts











All these parts are ready for some primer



So far there have been no fit issues and no unsightly IPM
Thanks for taking a look and any comments are appreciated

Looks real nice and seems to be coming together.
If you want to see some interesting development stories about the Bradley check out "The Pentagon Wars"

AlkaSeltzer wrote:Looks real nice and seems to be coming together.
If you want to see some interesting development stories about the Bradley check out "The Pentagon Wars"

Great film!

Great progress! Looking forward to the rest of the build!

I think I like my old Tamiya Marder better. These new fangled kits have way too many parts! At my speed I'd never finish one!

I see it as pushing yourself to be as good as you can be at what you choose to do venturing out of your comfort zone can make you better and push your own boundary's. for me i have only been back in modelling only a year and learnt so much so far the newer kits with more parts and detail makes me want to be a better modeller as i can be

Update 2

i got the interior painted up using vallejo model color green sky,the seats were painted up with vallejo model air khaki brown ( i must say i really like the way the model color and model air go down ).
the floor plate i used model air steel then model air silver for the 2 pipes. the bolt heads on the plating i used model air bright brass with a cocktail stick



the 3 tanks i'm guessing maybe extinguishers i picked out with revell firey red



The driver bulkhead painted up with the same interior green sky silver and mr hobby h2 black then added the decals which went on really well





some more of the interior decals







next up i painted the radiator and engine with model air blue, silver, black metal and mr hobby black



the drivers bulkhead was put into place





the transmission was painted up with model air silver, black metal and mr hobby black and put into place along with the engine













then the passenger seats, turret basket and a little detail also the engine air intake was fitted















that's where i'm at thanks for looking and as always your comments are welcome.

Great build so far!

The detail is super on that kit! Those interior decals look real! Nice work!

You doing a neat job
I'll wait till you lot finish building your Bradleys before staring mine

What kind of paint/ratios are you using? It looks silky smooth.

Wow, looks awesome so far.

thanks for your comments guys.

heel the paint ratios are for the model air 80% paint to 20% Ultimate thinner and for the model color it's 30% paint to 70% Ultimate thinner there is a thinning guide at www.umpretail.com

Very nice,clean work Your painting and decaling really made that interior pop!

thanks hilbilly much appreciated but it's not all down to me it is a very good kit and well worth the price, this only my 2nd attempt at armour but loving it

Update 3

Time to start the wheels,drive sprockets and idler wheels













next up the upper compartment armour and euipment









and everything ready for priming including the seat belts









While the primer dries i thought it was time to assemble the tracks ( if you are going to build this kit then i advise you set a few hours aside to do these) The tools i decided to use for this were sprue cutters, a very sharp small blade and a small sander












A few hours later all finished 160 pieces cleaned and assembled





Now on with some painting the wheels i used model air sand yellow and mr hobby tyre black



for the seat belts i used mr hobby black, vallejo model color orange brown and vallejo model air bright brass



the interior was again done in vallejo model color green sky with the bolts in bright brass as with the lower hull the extinguishers in revell firey red,black and silver. the air conditioner and 2 screens in mr hobby black and the decals added









and the seatbelts added







thats has it stands for now again thanks for your comments and for taking a look

Great stuff Gaz! I have this kit as well and looking forward to it!

W-O-W. I definitely have Bradley envy. My Tamiya ODS may go together faster but this kit looks sweet. I interior is fantastic.

Update 4

after fitting the periscopes which there is a choice the are clear and tinted blue i went with the later







Now with the top fitted













Now to work on the outside firstly the tools and spare track assembly











the glacis armour here i had to drill four 0.8mm holes





and some photo etch which one piece had to be bent which was a good time to try my photo etch bender for the first time













The drivers hatch and drivers vision enhancer assembly here i had to paint the inside of the hatch first as it is not completley accessable when attached even though it opens so here i used vallejo model air sand yellow









there was not a choice of clear parts here just the clear ones which i fixed in place with some kristal klear













now for the engine compartment hatch and exterior armour











exhaust outlet







the passenger compartment roof hatch







and rear hull parts









next up the ramp and access door here there are a few options i decided to have the access dor closed as the ramp can be opened



at the same time i assembled the air conditioner which there are two of





and with the air conditioners and ramp attached





So thats where she stands at the moment really enjoying this build thanks for taking the time to look and comment

Great update! Build is looking good!

not the same version as yours....

but still good info for some of the Optic
and other small details... you might be looking for
like textured paint and all that...

http://www.primeportal.net/apc/pierric_ ... php?Page=6

take care...

up one level and they have more choices...


Keep up the good work...

Thanks guys

I have a quick question regarding additional armour and painting would you paint the hull before adding the extra armour see photo below



Thanks

Update 5

Next up is the turret interiors





























The gunners sight and intergrated sight unit





Turret basket assembly



This piece was attached to the sprue and numbered form forming the PE i thought was a nice touch







Sorry for the brightness of some of these photo's
After priming it was time to lay down some colour and more internal decals.
Paints used
Mainly for the interior model color green sky
detail picked out with
mr hobby black
model air white
model air black metal
model air silver
model air olive green











More periscopes in the turret again fixed with kristal klear





Time to put the turret and basket together









Attaching the turret armour and smoke grenade launchers





More turret armour together with the commanders and gunners hatches





The inner parts of the hatches were painted up first with mr hobby tire black and model air sand yellow





Thats where i#m upto
Thanks for looking.

Damn, it is a nice kit! Great job with that turret interior!

Holy smokes, this is looking great! Lot's of detail. Fabulous.

A cracking effort so far, it's really looking great

Update 6

Time to build the additional armour for the turret and here is where i used the Ultimate PE placer for the first time and i must say it works a treat and ideal for the job ( nice one guys )













The gunners integrated sight unit and blue force tracker





Commanders protection system





The commanders independant thermal viewer here i needed to paint the inside before construction using mr hobby black









Next up the tow anti tank missile launcher 1 and 2 here you have the choice to have this in the firing position or folded i decided to go with the firing position and again a few parts needed painting before construction with model air olive green











The rear turret basket assembly





Now is the time to get the wheels on









Next up the tracks after priming i sprayed a coat of model air black metal





then the track centres with mr hobby tire black





I wasn't sure what to do next with these abd decided to give them a wash of Ultimate sand after a couple of coats of klear

















And with the skirts and armour on she is ready for some primer and paint after some masking of the periscopes and windows and this time i'm going to try some liquid mask as the size of the periscopes are really small









So thats where i'm upto next time will be the paint
Thanks for looking and your comments always welcome.

Stunning kit and built by a master! Great work on the tracks! Looking forward to the rest!

thank you for your comment i'm not sure about being a master only my second attempt at armour my first being 1/76 but thank you anyway it is an enjoyable build and well worth the money i now have two more armour kits i my stash. As iv'e only been back building for about a year that is a great complement which i i thank you all for.

So with the wheels and tracks covered with tamiya masking tape and the clear parts of the periscopes masked withe humbrol maskol it was time to get this primed with mig ammo grey primer.






Know for the main painting using vallejo model air sand yellow











Once this wad all dried it was time to paint some detail the tools spare track exhaust and the tarp
These were painted up using model air wood brown, black metallic,silver, mr hobby black and model color olive green















When the detailing was dry i klear coated it and applied the decals and klear coated again















The clear parts for the lights i painted up using tamiya clear red and clear orange



the decal for the sight was added



So i think all that is left is to add the lights and sight and i think ill just give it a light coat of Ultimate sand wash and ill call it finished.

I have really enjoyed this build and there is a great level of detail all the way

Thanks for taking a look and as always your comments are always welcome.

Gaz, that is looking really good, a masterful build. Very well done!!

Looks great Gaz!

cheers guys for your comments not sure about masterful i'm still learning

Top stuff Gaz. Enjoyed reading through and seeing the progress. It looks like a fantastic kit and you did it proud mate.

Looks really good.

Great build mate.

Right so here it is the lights and the sight are fixed in place and given it a light dusting of Ultimate sand wash which im not sure you can see from the photos.











So ill call that finished
Thanks for following this build and your encouragement
I will post more pics in the reveal section.

Nice! Great job!