Hey guys, I have yet to enter to enter the world of modern armor[:0] I figured it was about time I did some. I want to do an M2 bradley from the Iraq war in 2003.
Would the Tamiya kit be right for me? Is there an interior in the kit?
Hello rebelreenactor.
In this case Tamiya is your friend. They produce a bunch of M2, some of which have interior in box.
[:)]
Tamiya is the only show in town. All the other 1/35 Bradley kits are copies of the Tamiya model. The new Tamiya M2A2 ODS is the most current and the version used in OIF. The kit is pretty accurate and does come with decal options for 3 versions that were in 3ID in OIF1, invasion phase. It builds into a pretty accurate kit, but no interior.
The only Bradley kit that came with an interior was the original Tamiya M2 (A-nothing) Bradley and the Academy copy of the Tamiya kit. It did not come with engine detail or a turret interior.
The interior has changed quite a bit from the M2 to the current M2A2ODS, but it is a start. ODS interior replaces the original individual seats as in the Tamiya M2 kit with bench seats down each side of the hull, similar to those in an M113.
You can get the original M2 interior and modify it by adding the bench seats. The interior will drop in to the M2A2 ODS kit since it is basically the same hull with the new ODS parts added to it.
Tamiya sells individual sprues from their kits. Contact them and you should be able to buy the original M2 kit interior sprues, they recently reissued the kit. Sprues usually sell for $5 each plus shipping. Here is their contact info: http://www.tamiyausa.com/contact/index.php
For more detail, there is the Eduard Super Set which has turret interior and interior and exterior PE pieces. I have heard it is really good, haven’t used them myself. Another option is to scratch-build the turret interior. I did this on my M7 B-FIST (Bradley based Fires Integration Support Team vehicle). You can check out pics of mine here:
http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/658
And here: http://groups.msn.com/armorama/heavyartysmodels1.msnw?Page=2
For more info on accurizing the M2A2 ODS kit, check out Vodnik’s great article here: http://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m2a2/m2a2-p1.htm
It really is a shame Tamiya didn’t include the interior in their subsequent M2 kits, especially since they jacked up the prices as well.
Good luck.
Gino, you’re awsome!!! Are the bench seats the only noticable differences? I think I’ll get the interior from the earlier model and just switch the seats. I have an article from FSM that was based on making an OIF M2, so I can use that for some help. Thanks again!
one last question, would the academy kit interior drop into the tamiya M2A2ODS, since it was the tamiya kit I am guessing yes?
almost forgot, where did you get those warning signs etc, for the drivers compartment?
Great scratch work!
The bench seats are the only real noticable differences. The interior load plan is changed due to the bench seats, but not that much. Load plans go out the window pretty much in combat anyways, you just cram ammo and gear anywhere you can.
The Academy interior will drop right in the Tamiya hull, Academy’s is a direct copy of the Tamiya kit.
I know the M2A2 OIF article you are referring to in around FEB 04 FSM. I would refer to Pavel’s article over the FSM one. The one in FSM is not really that great, he has many inaccuracies that are just plain wrong for an OIF vehicle.
On the warning and info plackards, I made them on my home computer and printed them on white decal paper with images taken off the web. I made all the vehicle bumper numbers and tactical markings on my computer, in the same manner, as well.
I too plan on doing an M2A2 OIF Bradley from 3ID with full interior and engine like my M7 B-FIST. Just have to get to it in the stack of to-do kits.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Thanks for the tips. I’ll be sure to post progress when and If i get started.
Actually, If you don’t want to do the bench seats, there are still some ODS Bradleys in the force with old style seat set-up as well. The ODS mods are done in stages and not all the Brads get all the mods. So you technically don’t need the bench seats to be accurate. I like the look of the bench seats though. Also, I have a couple other Brads with the old seat set-up in them, one M2 and one M2A2 form Operation Desert Storm that I added the interior to as well.
I must agree with heavy arty …I have the tayima kit and it has no interior…I found a master interior /exterior kit on Greatmodels.com it was like $40 … not to expensive but from what I understand it is very accurate
Thanks for the info rangerboy. I am pretty tight on money right now, so I 'll have to go for the old kit interior.
Rangerboy, which set are you talking about? If you mean the Eduard SuperSet, http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=EDBIG3509(Big Ed set), it does not have the interior for hull. It is mainly PE to add to the Tamiya interior. It does include the turret interior set. You still need the original Tamiya interior (or Academy copy) to add this set to though. The Eduard set by itself will not give you an interior for your M2A2 model.
sorry for jumping here, saves writing a newpost.
I got the dragon version of this kit (M2A2 ODS Bradley Iraq 2003) but a 1/72. Instructions tell me a colour that i dont quite understand. H66/19 RLM Sandy brown 79, which colour would be the tamiya/revell equivalent??
thanks guys
Wow!! Talk about resurrecting an old post.
No idea on a Revell equivalent, and Tamiya doesn’t make a color that is even close to modern US CARC Sand, FS 33531. The best color to use is Testors Model Master enamel Sand, FS33531. It is an exact match for CARC Sand as used on current vehicles in Iraq.
lol i know heavyarty, i read it to see if the color was mentioned and just decided to add a question onto it 
I cant get model masters paint. Well i could but i have a problem. When i get a new make i tend to try and get half the collection lol i have every revell colour (multiples) half of humbrol and half of tamiya range too. I want to switch to tamiyas as there easier to work with but i need to get rid of the revells first.
Any ideas on coloring mixing for this color would be appreciated. Or if u have a sample of the color so i can print itout and try and match it that would be fine.
thanks for the reply heavyarty.
Here is a sample, but it looks too dark to me. Could be my monitor though.
http://www.colorserver.net/showcolor.asp?fs=33531
This site has FS color samples and cross refernaces for most hobby paints.
thanks for that heavyarty. I see humbrol 121 is the FS color, dam dont have 121 too. Thats cool though i have a good idea what the color should be like.
Thanks for the help! youve helped me from the start appreciated
what u think heavyarty?? is this right looking colour?
Looks a little too tan to me, but again, it coul dbe my monitor or something.