M3A3 CFV Maintenance dio

[HeavyArty]

My latest project is an M3A3 CFV undergoing depot-level maintenance. I am starting with the Meng M3A3 CFV kit and the interior set for it. I will be showing it with the turret removed and on a stand, and the engine compartment opened up and fully detailed.

I have started by cutting down the circular turret guard, which Meng has go completely around the turret. It should only go on the driver’s side and rear. At the front of the turret is a flat firewall. I used a modified M113 front wall to replicate it.

I have also added the fuel tanks, side and under turret, from 3D pieces designed by a fellow modeler that I printed myself.

I built the air cleaner/filter box on the back wall of the engine compartment from two modified M48 tank ones.

I also added a toothed ring for the turret that I printed as well.

Next up is modifying and adding missing details to the turret basket.

I also have lots of other scratch, 3D printed, and kit detail parts to add.

Lots more work to go. The plan is to display it as a small workshop/motorpool shop dio with a couple mechanics, tools, and shop equipment.

[Pawel]

Cool! Good to see you finally working on this one! Good luck with it and have a nice day
Paweł

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Pawel. Great parts make it easier.

[Model_Monkey]

The Meng kit, I just love that kit.

And the additions you are adding are sublime.

[wasthere]

Great work so far .ill be watching

[metalhead85]

Fantastic idea Gino and you’re off to a great start.

[HeavyArty]

Thanks gents. More work to come.

@Model_Monkey

The Meng kit, I just love that kit.

Thanks Steve. I love the Meng Bradleys as well. They are very versatile. I just wish they did the M2 IFV interior as a separate kit as well. It has only one sprue different, S as opposed to Y (M3 parts), from the M3 CFV interior.

[HeavyArty]

I’m continuing to work on the M3A3. I have completed the turret details by building the ammo box and electronic boxes at the front of the turret. I also added handles and a few other details to the box. The electronics boxes are 3D printed, along with the handles. I still need to add wiring once it is painted.

I also added details on the inside with a radio shelf, kidney pads, an arm pad for the control stick, and a seat for the BC. Meng includes the platform for him to stand on, but there is a fold up/down seat there as well to sit on. I added one from an M113. I will add a SINCGARS ASIP radio rack, intercom control box, and J boxes once it is painted.

Lastly, I have printed a stand for the turret. It was supposed to be used w/a Tiger tank, so I sized it down for the Brad turret and changed the wheels to more modern casters. I also added the toothed turret ring on top like I did in the hull. It looks good to me.

Still more work to do.

[SSGToms]

Looking really fantastic Gino! This is going to be a long project but a feast for the eyes.

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Matt. It will be a long project but has been fun so far.

[mech]

Great idea and detailing.

[Johnnych01]

Great execution of a tricky scenario, and with some exquisite detailing. Turret stand is very clever.

[HeavyArty]

Thanks gents. It has been fun so far.

[HeavyArty]

Finally, an update. I had a work trip and my grandkids here for a couple weeks, so not a lot of time at the bench. I finally got back at it this weekend. I added the bolt plates and drilled the bolt holes out on the engine deck.

I also added the ramp release handle and cabling onto the inner ceiling. The handle is from an M113 kit.

Lastly, I added the empty TOW missile racks inside the hull.

The rest of the afternoon was spent painting all the parts.

Next is detail painting and assembling the interior.

[HeavyArty]

Thanks for the extra pics. They will be helpful.

[HeavyArty]

Here is the latest update.

I have started adding the painted interior bits and engine.

Here it is with the hull top in place. You can see the mounting holes drilled for the removed engine cover well. I also scratched the coolant reservoir tank to the left of the radiator from a resin pour stub, added the mount and bolt on the end from styrene, and a 3D-printed radiator cap.

Lots more work to go on the details in the back and the turret still. Planning on starting on all the interior decals and stencils next. More to come later.

[metalhead85]

That looks excellent Gino

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Richard. It is coming along.

[18bravo]

It is indeed coming along. My question is why the radical departure from Meng’s painting instructions? Are they (the Army) doing something new?

[HeavyArty]

I have painted the engine and mechanical parts the way I have seen them. Meng’s instructions are one example. The engine and other parts come back from rebuilds and repaints in many different shades and colors depending on when/where/who does the painting. There is no one definite color for any part.

It’s not done yet either. Once everything is dullcoated and weathered, the colors will look different.