M6A3 Linebacker, Bradley M-SHORAD build

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I have been working on a new conversion for a little while now. I have thrown together a concept M6A3 Linebacker, a.k.a Bradley M-SHORAD (Mobile - SHOrt Range Air Defense). So far, this is a concept vehicle by BAE that the US Army hasn’t bought…yet. I hope they do because SHORAD systems are woefully lacking in the US Army.

The actual vehicle.

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It uses the .30mm chain gun from an Apache, Stinger pod, and all sorts of sensors and jammers.

It is a franken-Bradley of sorts. I used the Academy M2A2 OIF kit as a base, added the Magic Factory M-SHORAD parts and CITV (left over from their M2A4 and M2A2 ODS respectively). I also added some extra parts from a few Orochi M3A3s sprues I had bought, Jacques’ 3-D printed suspension and a few other of his detail parts, ands some scratch parts.

You can see up top I added the additional A3 hull armor plates from some modified Orochi parts. For the added armor around the base of the turret, I used the tops of a couple interior turret walls from a Tamiya interior.

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I used the Magic Factory A3 ramp and Jacques’ tail lights. I also cut the Academy rear plate wings off and flattened it out, along with cutting the hull top to fit. Lastly, I added my own angled plates behind the rear stowage boxes.

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On the turret, I added the Magic Factory M-SHORAD parts. They fit the Academy parts perfectly. Most of the needed parts are all on the C sprue. A few common parts are from the Academy kit. The CITV also fits without issues. I made the added turret top armor by tracing the Magic Factory kit part onto 0.020 styrene sheet and cutting it to fit. I also used the new GPS, newer hatches, and some other detail parts from the Orochi sprues.

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Here it is all together.

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2

Hello Gino!

Very interesting conversion! On the last photo it looks a bit like it has a scarecrow standing on its turret… Wouldn’t scarecrow be a fitting nickname for this system? Like it’s there to keep the birds off the field… Good luck with your build (a lot done already!) and have a nice day

Paweł

3

Thanks Pawel. It is almost done and about ready for paint. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

4

Interesting build! I bet the army doesn’t accept it though.

Gary

5

Thanks Gary.

6

LOL, Pawel, That was funny. Nice conversion Gino.

7

Thanks TigerII.

A little more added.

I have added the tie-down blocks on the sides of the hull from an old Eduard PE set, now OOP.

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Here is a shot showing Jacques’ 3D printed suspension parts. They are very nice, highly recommended.

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I am also thinking about finishing it as a sand-colored vehicle on rotation in Europe that has the temporary green paint. Something like this.

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8

Oh that’s neat Gino, you always come up with the coolest stuff! And she’s coming along well!

9

That looks like it would be a cool paint scheme.

10

Thank you gentlemen. I did go with the temp green paint scheme.

Progress continues. I have painted it and added decals. The decals are all home-made by me on computer decal paper. I marked it as a fictional “Assassin 32” from A Battery, 1-3 ADA, 3ID. This unit did have M6A2 Linebackers when they were in use, so I assume they would be one of the M6A3 Linebacker units as well. The symbol on the sides and front are Linebacker ADA Unit map symbols. As seen above on the actual pic, these are used as unit ID symbols in the temp paint scheme.

I used Model Master Sand (FS 33531) as the base and taped off the areas that would remain sand. I used Tamiya NATO Green for the temp green paint over top. I then sealed it all with dullcoat and retouched the gloss for the lights and optics.

Here it is so far.

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Next up, adding some gear on it and weathering.

11

Looking good, Gino!

S.H.

12

Thanks S.H. I really like how this one is coming along.

13

Almost done! Nice work, looking forward to the gear and weathering!

14

Thanks Gamera. It’s getting there.

15

I have completed the M6A3 Linebacker.

I weathered it by first adding some scratches and rubs on the front, sides, and where the crew climbs on and off the vehicle. I then used a couple different dirt-colored acrylic paint washes, which strangely enough, mostly disappears in the pics. You can easily see it with the naked eye though.

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I added a few net/tent bags, three MOLLE rucksacks, a couple backpacks in the turret bustle, and an Igloo-style cooler for some added color and a lived in look.

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The MOLLE rucksacks are from Legend with some extra ammo pouches and oddment bags and an e-tool pouch hung on them. I used Live-Resin OCP decals on them. They laid down well and look good to me.

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Some more details.

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I really like how it came out and am very happy with it. Hopefully the Army buys it and employs it in Armor and Mechanized units as SHORAD in those formations is seriously lacking.

16

Looks great Gino! Love the extra storage.

17

Thanks Gamera. I really like how this one came out.

18

Those washes, weathering and extra gear, really put it over the top. Nice work Gino.

19

Thanks Tiger. It was a fun build.

20

Well Gee!

Hey,Ya didn’t have to go to the Car-Wash just fer me! I would’ve enjoyed seein’ it all mudded and whatsoever. Well, Heavy-Arty ya done it agin. Love it! What’s all that stuff onna top for ? T.B. Question,What goes “BOOM” and knocks yer fillings out and requires three vehicles to service and move her? I found one in my stash the other day!