802chrisg Posted June 19, 2014 Report Posted June 19, 2014 (edited) Here is the MENG Bradley M2A3 with BUSK III kit that I did for IPMS as a review. The review has been summited to the Journal and hopefully will be in an upcoming issue. So for now here is a sneak peak as what is to come. Enjoy! Edited June 19, 2014 by 802chrisg
RGronovius Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 I like it. I think you did a great job on it. I'm unsure of the open engine hatch with the armor tiles still mounted, I think they are supposed to be removed prior to opening the hatch. I'm also wondering if Meng pulled a Trumpeter and misspelled the bumper number. 1-68 is part of 4th Infantry Division and it would be either just 4, 4I (capital letter "I") or 4ID, but not 4II. Looks like it makes all other Bradley models obsolete.
802chrisg Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Posted June 22, 2014 I like it. I think you did a great job on it. I'm unsure of the open engine hatch with the armor tiles still mounted, I think they are supposed to be removed prior to opening the hatch. I'm also wondering if Meng pulled a Trumpeter and misspelled the bumper number. 1-68 is part of 4th Infantry Division and it would be either just 4, 4I (capital letter "I") or 4ID, but not 4II. Looks like it makes all other Bradley models obsolete. Thanks for the feedback. I believe that the armor tiles would be left on as I have several researh photos showing this. I could be wrong. As for the unit lettering after some quick research (witch I missed on my review) you are correct. I can tell you that the markings that MENG provides are for the 2003-2005 time period. The M2A3 with BUSK III upgrade kit version did not operate in OIF until the 2008-2010 time period. The kit is by far a state of the art kit. MENG has really set the bar high on this one and to be honesrt there is not a kit out there that can compete with this kit of the Bradley. Chris G. :Smile_sceptic:
catdude01 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Waiting to read that article in the Journal, awesome work!
RGronovius Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Modern US Army bumper numbers follow a specific SOP with some variation based on local unit policy. Combat units are much easier to decipher than non-divisional units. I've noticed many errors in modern kit decals but that's to be expected when companies try to create them from published photographs rather than taking close ups themselves.
802chrisg Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Posted June 24, 2014 (edited) Modern US Army bumper numbers follow a specific SOP with some variation based on local unit policy. Combat units are much easier to decipher than non-divisional units. I've noticed many errors in modern kit decals but that's to be expected when companies try to create them from published photographs rather than taking close ups themselves. Thanks for the info Rob, I'm still wondering how MENG missed this as they do and outstanding job of researching everything about the kit subject. Hopefully my review as well as others will help them fix this issue in the future. Chris G. :Smile_sceptic: Edited June 24, 2014 by 802chrisg
RGronovius Posted June 24, 2014 Report Posted June 24, 2014 Like the bumper number they chose, HQ-63, is the only combat vehicle assigned to a staff officer, the S-3 Operations Officer, normally a major and definitely not one that often swaps gunfire with the enemy or even carries an infantry squad. I imagine that the reason why they duplicated those markings is because while the line unit vehicles were outside the wire, that the S-3's track was safe back at the base, uncluttered with troop gear and looking prettier than the ones that get beat up from use.
RGronovius Posted June 26, 2014 Report Posted June 26, 2014 Saw one at my LHS on sale for $80 (regularly $90 something). A little too steep so I searched eBay and the online shops.
802chrisg Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Posted June 26, 2014 Saw one at my LHS on sale for $80 (regularly $90 something). A little too steep so I searched eBay and the online shops. They retail for $99.99 so $80.00 is not bad. The box is huges and absolutely stuffed with plastic. The best part is that you will use just about every piece. The interiour and engine is a kit in itself. Chris :Smile_sceptic:
RobMorales Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Great one, Chris! This just may be my big purchase at the Nationals (although I just may go for the M3A3 Cavalry version that just came out).
802chrisg Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Posted July 8, 2014 Thanks for the great comments Rob. Chris :Smile_sceptic:
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