M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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Meter rat
- Warrant Officer 1st Class
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Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
Are you sure you are not photographing the real thing and passing it off as a model?
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Herr Dr. Professor
- Captain
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- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:48 pm
- Location: Southern Wisconsin USA
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
On AFVs I, too, have not been satisfied with a "wash" technique (ready-made wash or not), although a "filter" has worked for me. (However, I do use burnt umber, raw sienna, or raw sienna oils as a washes on figures.). I have used powdered pastels on train stuff, especially buildings. So I might try you trick on a tank.
Decal setters have been around for a long time. I use them for almost all decals and always gloss the surface first. Once in a while I've had decals disintegrate when I use a setting solution. Of course, the decals never tell me ahead of time that the will fizzle into pieces.
Decal setters have been around for a long time. I use them for almost all decals and always gloss the surface first. Once in a while I've had decals disintegrate when I use a setting solution. Of course, the decals never tell me ahead of time that the will fizzle into pieces.
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
If you or others haven't seen "The Pentagon Wars" already I suggest it for sure- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/?r ... g_t_90_act
"Charlie don't surf"- Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
Thank you everyone,
With the following posts, the build is completed.
The next step was for the tracks
As shown on this picture of a real vehicle, i decided to recreate the Bradley "Big Foot" tracks that feature the larger rubber pads than earlier versions. The pads are usually shown very worn out.
The plastic Sherman tracks coming with the kit were earlier discarded. The "Early" Bradley/MLRS 1/16 metal tracks provided by AFV_Model of Germany need modifications. The pre-formed anchor for the early pads were filled with a 1mm plasticard strip shaped to fill the hole. They were previously painted with black metal paint.
Rubber pads were recreated in 1mm rubber sheet. The square pads were glued to each link, and then cut to match the Big Foot pattern.
The new Big Foot tracks shown before weathering.
The Big foot metal and rubber tracks were weathered, first by sanding the rubber pads to show some wear, and then the metal was given a track rust oil wash. I was not satisfied with the wash that is usually for static models. I had to apply a coat of flat varnish to the track to stabilize the coloring and the weathering. I do not think it will last long after some use, but it looks good for now.
The tracks are now installed on the model. Although not entirely perfect, the tracks can be considered accurate for a 1/16 Bradley scale model... Considering the alternatives, i am happy with the results of the modifications.
With the following posts, the build is completed.
The next step was for the tracks
As shown on this picture of a real vehicle, i decided to recreate the Bradley "Big Foot" tracks that feature the larger rubber pads than earlier versions. The pads are usually shown very worn out.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 1.png (1.96 MiB) Viewed 5682 times
The plastic Sherman tracks coming with the kit were earlier discarded. The "Early" Bradley/MLRS 1/16 metal tracks provided by AFV_Model of Germany need modifications. The pre-formed anchor for the early pads were filled with a 1mm plasticard strip shaped to fill the hole. They were previously painted with black metal paint.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 2.png (2.24 MiB) Viewed 5682 times
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 3.png (2.25 MiB) Viewed 5682 times
Rubber pads were recreated in 1mm rubber sheet. The square pads were glued to each link, and then cut to match the Big Foot pattern.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 4.png (2.88 MiB) Viewed 5682 times
The new Big Foot tracks shown before weathering.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 5.png (2.39 MiB) Viewed 5682 times
The Big foot metal and rubber tracks were weathered, first by sanding the rubber pads to show some wear, and then the metal was given a track rust oil wash. I was not satisfied with the wash that is usually for static models. I had to apply a coat of flat varnish to the track to stabilize the coloring and the weathering. I do not think it will last long after some use, but it looks good for now.
The tracks are now installed on the model. Although not entirely perfect, the tracks can be considered accurate for a 1/16 Bradley scale model... Considering the alternatives, i am happy with the results of the modifications.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 6.png (1.79 MiB) Viewed 5682 times
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
A spare track link was mounted on the front of the vehicle with two brackets as shown in references.
I brought the model outside for a photo shoot in the sun, which provide a more accurate view of the color of the model compared to inside light which was making the model look darker.
Front lights
Main gun flash
Coax machine gun flash
Interior view of the model, this time with the tracks on.
The US tank commander figure sold by DKLM was painted and put on the turret. I am not really a figure painter, so it is a best effort...
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 11.png (1.48 MiB) Viewed 5681 times
I brought the model outside for a photo shoot in the sun, which provide a more accurate view of the color of the model compared to inside light which was making the model look darker.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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Front lights
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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Main gun flash
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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Coax machine gun flash
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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Interior view of the model, this time with the tracks on.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 18.png (1.7 MiB) Viewed 5681 times
The US tank commander figure sold by DKLM was painted and put on the turret. I am not really a figure painter, so it is a best effort...
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 18a.png (1.91 MiB) Viewed 5681 times
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sun Apr 30, 2023 8:48 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
Exterior photoshoot with some clouds.
Its time to relax now with my verandah buddy Platon, who is sometimes watching me with limited interest while taking his afternoon nap.
Oh well, this is it, the build is finished. I must admit this was a complicated, stressful and tiring build.
The next built of a USMC M-60A1 tank will be easier, i hope.
Thank you everyone for watching and for your encouragements.
Regards, Louis
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
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- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 27.png (1.67 MiB) Viewed 5681 times
Its time to relax now with my verandah buddy Platon, who is sometimes watching me with limited interest while taking his afternoon nap.
Oh well, this is it, the build is finished. I must admit this was a complicated, stressful and tiring build.
The next built of a USMC M-60A1 tank will be easier, i hope.
Thank you everyone for watching and for your encouragements.
- M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
- Capture d’écran 28.png (1.85 MiB) Viewed 5681 times
Regards, Louis
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sun Apr 30, 2023 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Marco Peter
- Staff Sergeant
- Posts: 766
- Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2017 10:18 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
Holy Moly what a cool build! Thanks for sharing so much with us, you must be very proud! 
1:16 was my scale. Until 'Konan' came into my life... an Armortek 1:6 Tiger 1!
... Now followed by a Panther G, 'Gunther'!
I'm a happy man.
... Now followed by a Panther G, 'Gunther'!
I'm a happy man.
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
Agreed...great build.
Derek
Too many project builds to list...
Too many project builds to list...
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Herr Dr. Professor
- Captain
- Posts: 5232
- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:48 pm
- Location: Southern Wisconsin USA
Re: M3A3 Bradley US Cavalry Fighting Vehicle - RC 1/16 Build
"The next built of a USMC M-60A1 tank." However are you going to top this build, Louis? ( 
Πλάτων looks like he just survived The Symposium as the last one awake.)
Πλάτων looks like he just survived The Symposium as the last one awake.)