Is it the old 90’s Tamiya kit with drive train correction from Ebay(member here I guess?), legend detail kit, or perhaps a newer/better kit that can be backdated by leaving parts off?
1 Like
Oops. misread the title. I posted about the OIF version.
1 Like
Yes the Tamiya M2A2 kit (35152) is the best kit to start with for one in Desert Storm, with Jacques’ running gear update. You could also get his hull and turret sets to dress it up more.
More info on Bradley types and modeling them.
I link it in the above, but Pavel’s M2A2 Accurizing article is a great reference too.
https://vodnik.net/pages/m2a2/m2a2-p1.htm
If you want to go the backdating route, the Magic Factory M2A2 ODS-SA Ukraine kit is the best starting point. You will have to get new sprockets and tracks for it though, and leave off a bunch of parts to backdate it. You will also have to replace the front lower glacis to an earlier version with split armor (as in the Tamiya M2A2 kit) as well.
Some info on backdating it on this thread.
1 Like
Pawel’s article is indeed a nice starting pint, Still - it is not complete. The Tamiya kit suffers from a glaring error - there are welds between the armor plates. Those are not present in reality. They’re easy to remove. Then you just scribe the separation line. You might as well do it on the interior as well. There are builds on this site that overlook this.
Another easy fix is the notches on the bottom of the ramp. They are not correct in the kit, but are easy enough to reshape. Look at the kit piece just above the towing hooks to see whatI mean.
The rest of the “fixes” have to do with small details, such as adding bolts to the inside face of the armor. Most folks don’t bother with them but they are very prominent.
On the last page Vodnik mentions the two different styles of mounts for the lower side armor plates. If you ever do post Desert Storm version and want the new style mounts, just get the Academy kit.
As for back dating the MAgic Factory kit: Not my favorite kit, for many reasons.
Two kits to build one? May as well just stick with the Tamiya kit, unless tyour scratch building mojo is strong. (It’s an easy scratch)
2 Likes
I have looked at these parts but thought they might be for a later M2A2? Are they still correct for a 1991 variant?
1 Like
You can use most of them, but some parts are for a post-Desert Storm M2A2 ODS.
On his Upper Hull set, don’t use the parts I Xed out below.
On his Turret set, don’t use the parts I Xed out below.
Also, if you want an interior, the original Tamiya M2 interior is still correct for an M2A2. You can also use the Meng turret interior as is.
I did this on my M2 REFORGER build a while back.
1 Like
You can have one of my spares.
1 Like
Guys, super helpful, much appreciated, Tamiya it is. I happened to have a vintage Tamiya M2 kit, I will raid the interior from it.
2 Likes
Don’t forget to add spall liners and delete all of the firing port pieces.
2 Likes