Here is my other subject from a few years ago (enamenl period), the Bradley from the 3rd ACR during the Desert Shield/Storm operation, as a reference I only had a photo taken from Concord magazine, I took the poetic license of not covering the external equipment with the jute fabric present in the photo, I preferred to give a touch of color making the model more interesting, I have some doubts about the bumper codes, but unfortunately the photo is not particularly clear, the figure is a classic Verlinden. Unfortunately the flag did not come out particularly well, too stiff, forgive me
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Looks pretty good. I like the stowage and little extras. The camo on the BC looks good too.
One issue though, you have built a standard M3, not an M3A1.
On the M3A1, the firing ports were deleted and replaced with solid armor on the sides and rear. The M3A1 also has a redesigned rear upper hatch with four periscopes (which replaced the rear periscopes of the M2A1).
Other changes included the removal of the grenade ammunition boxes from the front of the turret, improved flotation screen brackets and improved auto-interrupter to prevent the 25mm gun from damaging various hull fittings.
The new larger turret basket was also installed. Lastly, there were guards added around the driverâs and BCâs periscopes.
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Ah ok, since I have done this mistake could someone (moderator) delete this topic? Thanks
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It still looks great. No need to delete it. If you like though, you can edit your title and first post by clicking the âpencilâ button in the bottom right of your post.
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I would prefer to delete the topic, thanks
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I miss my Model Master enamels, theyâd run you out of the house but I knew how to work with them and could mix up any color I wanted or needed, not always so successful with Lacquers, they lay down good but surprisingly doesnât bite into the styrene as well and mixing different colors doesnât always yield the color I was aiming for.
Your Brad looks great, final finish came out perfect! 
Cajun 
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Your Bradley looks great! Most people donât know the difference between the M3 and the M3A1; and many who do wonât care. In real life, it didnât matter, the A1 models were replaced with A2s just before the ground attack began.
I donât recall if avenging angel was A-14 or not, but otherwise your bumper numbers look good.
The flag looks like itâs blowing in a stiff breeze! It looks good, even the tie strings are blowing in the wind. And yes, it could be very windy there.
Ken
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Nicely done. The whole thing captures the âVerlinden lookâ very well. I wouldnât take negative comments too seriously. First of all, it seems you worked from a photo indicating the Bradley was indeed an A1. Those unfamiliar with it canât be faulted for that, But wait, while the Gino enumerates various changes incorporated into the A1, he doesnât mention the main features that change the designation - the addition of the gas particulate filter system and the fire suppression system. The gas particulate filter system is not something you can readily model. But you do have the A1 features for the fire suppression system. There have been multiple discussion on other threads about the changes to the Bradley, which can happen incrementally, based on how much time they spend being refitted. Simpy plating over a firing port is not enough to change the designation, nor is changing the location of some periscopes. Neither affects the overall capability or increases the combat effectiveness of the system. Removing grenade boxes is a superfluous change. It has been said on this site that A1âs had the turret side ammo box holders removed, yet I posted several photos refutung that. Again, all of the changes take time. Just because certain features havenât been altered doesnât negate the fact the the changes that fundamentally alter the vehicle have been made.
Case in point: The M3A3. Itâs easily recognized by the CITV and the IBAS on the turret roof. Yet many retained the older ODS style seating. In fact, many of the ODS Bradleys retained the OG seating arrangements for quite some time,
The turret basket is another item that took some time to change. Again, there are builds on this site of A1 that retain the older style basket.
Edit: There happens to be another discussion going on right now about how changes to tanks - pretty big ones like the difference between HVSS and VVSS, and do not change their designation. Again, many details have little to nothing to do with a vehicleâs performance or combat capability.
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I immediately thought of the the âVerlinden lookâ when I saw this- a style you donât see too often anymore. You have done a fine job on the paint and finishing Lucio- the stowage is a real highlight and helps add a bit of visual interest. The figure is a great addition too- your rendition of the choc-chip cammo looks spot-on.
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I thank everyone for your criticisms/appreciations, I humbly ask forgiveness for my mistake due to poor knowledge of US vehicles, at the time I had already assembled the kit and when I saw the photo I noticed two things, the box of smoke grenades on the front of the turret and the side armor still of the old type and I said to myself âitâs him!â, so in love with the image of the vehicle I decided to reproduce it. @agincajun I also really miss the enamels/oils, I was very happy with them but now I canât use them anymore and I still donât get along well with acrylics but so be it, I have to make myself happy unfortunately. Thanks again to all of you even if I would have preferred to delete the topic
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From someone that truly appreciates a well-executed build I would have been disappointed to see your post removed. Myself, I find inspiration from models that have such an admirable finish, from the weathering of the AFV to the rendering of the add-on items, I try to emulate the effect on my models, itâs an on-going journey for me to capture the correctness of cloth or fabric textures but youâve done a marvelous job of representing a scale reproduction, so donât sweat the details, weâll be anxious to see more of your work.
Cajun
As a final note, youâll come to realize that often those who place great emphasis on accuracy and jump at the opportunity to critique someone elseâs work, arenât as adept at finishing their models with the same degree of precision as the one theyâve judged.
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Thankfully this topic hasnât been deleted, would not have been able to feat my eyes on this⌠great looking model, I really love the colours, I am wondering which colours you used?
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Of course, no problem, Iâll write you the whole procedure that I used at the time and that unfortunately I canât use anymore with acrylics 
.
I decided for a Molak Sand Yellow 33531 as a base coat.
After the usual two days for the complete drying of the color, I have made the washing with Raw Umber oil on the whole model.
Some days again for drying and I started with the first dry brush using the base color.
The second dry brush was made with the Humbrol 103 Cream but this time I given its only on the top of the hull and of the turret to give a zenithal light effect, and after I have done the nick of the tank, the RUC (reporting unit code) with dry transfer, and the chevron done with a mask tape.
At this point Iâm starting with a selective washing, done with Cassel Earth oil all around the detail (as bolt and nuts etc) to give it depth. A really tedius work but with excellent results in my opinion.
The last step was the chipped paint, done with 103 and the add of a bit of white, with the bronze Green on the centre of it, to simulate the previus Forrest Green base color of the vehicle.
The rust, done on the vehicle with thrift seen its alluminium chassis, was done with Mig oil,
The tracks, painted with Agama track color, are been weathered with oil and dry brushed with Agama Gun metal for the metal parts and with black for the rubber pads, the dusty looks was done with Mig filter.
The stowage parts are from Verlinden set, painted with oil. The radio cassettedeck come from Academy set and the flag is from Extradetail set.
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Very nice build of a US Army Bradley and well executed painting & weathering; especially from that period. I am glad you shared it - it is very inspirational.
Accuracy is something we strive for but there seems to be a habit on this forum, for some, to call out minor inaccuracies on a posted build. It has happened to me on this and other forums, for very, very minor issues. Modeling is supposed to be fun and proudly presenting ones finished model does not require a rivet counting response. It has happened to me, and I spend a lot of time researching my subject before a build and make every effort to be as accurate as possible. BTW - many model manufacturers include decals and âversionsâ in their instructions for specific vehicles that are way off from the actual vehicle. I have seen very few finished model builds from those who feel the need to âclarifyâ a version of a vehicle.
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I donât get all the negative responses to constructive criticism. I would expect the same, I never said it isnât a great model, it is. What is the point to only giving âatta boysâ and âit looks greatâ comments? No one learns and improves if we only do that. I would rather be corrected and either fix my model or use the knowledge on the next one. Or ignore it and be happy with what I have. No one is forcing anyone to do anything here.
He did a great job on an M3, but it is not an M3A1 as he called it. That is all I am pointing out. It doesnât take away the he did a great job with finish and weathering and it looks just like an early M3 should.
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Lucio, your Brad looks fantastic. The finish is outstanding, it really pops. I usually finish my models VERY similar to yours if you have noticed, Iâve always been a big fan of Verlinden. To each his don. Iâm not as heavy with some techniques as I used to be.
You donât have to apologize or ask for forgiveness for anything. Itâs a hobby. Iâve learned a ton about the Bradleyâs from this site and one of these days Iâll get to one. I find your models very inspiring.
I didnât find Ginos critiques rude or mean spirited in any way. He was pointing out the features of the different Bradleyâs. I didnât find it offensive. I here to enjoy the hobby and learn as well.
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I donât see anyone accusing you of not saying itâs a nice buld, in fact, you said, âIt still looks great.â
My point is, you say he didnât build an A1, which may or may not be correct. The original photo, labeled as an M3A1, is indeed an A1, according to your own posts:
It also lacks the side ammo bins, which you say are also a feature of the A1:
So, going by your posts, the accuracy of the photoâs caption is not in doubt.
As for the model, it does not have all of the A1 attributes. It doesnât even have all of the ones in the photo. But my point, for those who read it, is that those things do not an A1 make. It does not have to have all of the attributes youâve alluded to - grenade boxes and periscopes. Those arenât the changes that earned it a new designation.
It does have the pull handles for the fire suppression system - an A1 feature. The side firing ports are plated over - another A1 feature. The ramp plates arenât plated over, but again, changes were often done in stages. I could find posts where you say the very same thing, but I have other things to do.
It has features of what I will call a âtransitoryâ A1. In other words, an A1 (fire suppression) that has not had all of its bits removed yet. 
Iâll try not to veer off onto another very off topic subject. 
I have shown in other posts A1s that still had the ammo holders on the side, as the model does.
Again, Iâd point to the current Sherman thread where KL says similar things about the evolution of Shermans,
In the end, I think we can all take a breath and say itâs a very nice build.
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I never said the photo wasnât an A1. You may feel different, but in my opinion his model is closer to an M3; it still has side gun ports, no TOW reload hatch with periscopes and a few other features that all M3A1s had. The grenade boxes could be left on or reinstalled, but the other items were A1 features from the factory.
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WellâŚYou say potato, I say potahto.
This is an M3A3:
Whoops. No blast survival seats.
Is it no longer an A3? Or an incolplete MWO?
Weâre going to walk Molly now. Everyone hve a nice evening. 
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