Orochi ~ M3A3 Bradley CFV Deluxe Edition - Complete

[TRM]

Well it looks like its time to start another build!!  This time I will
be digging into Orochi's 1/35 M3A3 Bradley CFV Deluxe Edition.  Please
take the time to stop by and check out my review of this kit...

This is a link to my review of this kit on InScale.org:  inscale.org/public/?p=10517





This
looks to be like a fun build and with any luck, move right along.  Hope
you get the chance to hang out for a bit as I roll through this one!!  I
should be getting underway with this one real soon!!

[Deleted]

This should be interesting to follow Todd . I cant help but think of Mengs M2A3 w/busk when I look at your review of this kit . I do like the brass 25 mm gun barrel and a couple of other features on this kit . It'll be interesting to see how you work around the molded on side skirts . Those tracks look cool .
I'll be back !
Oh wait , that's Dans build .

[imatanker]

This is gonna be cool

[TRM]

Thanks Carl and Jeff, for jumping on the bus for this!

Carl, I thought the same thing about the Meng kit when I first opened it. Quickly realized the difference when the parts jumped out; molded on side armor and such. Overall though, I think things will come together nicely.

[dupes]

Orochi? What? I've never even HEARD of these guys!

[rbaer]

Considering what all is in the box, this kit looks like the deal of the century.....

[doogsatx/]

Man that kit looks like a steal! I may have to snag one...

[TRM]

Now you have Dupes!! They have had some movable tracks out for a while. They are just breaking the ice on kits! We will have to see where they go from here!

Russ, there is a well packed kit. The figure added makes no sense, but will go well in the stash figure bowl I have going!! LOL!! The PE grills, metal barrel and the metal tracks do add some beef to the kit. The molded on side armor was my only concern...but things were always meant to be modified!!

[Deano]

Count me in T ..... looks like a top kit!

[TRM]

Thanks for joining me on the ride Deano!! Hopefully it won't be too painful!!

[doogsatx/]

Found one for $53 shipped on eBay. SOLD.

[wbill76]

Definitely looking forward to seeing you work the magic on this one T!

[TRM]

Nice find Doogs!!! Went with an average as most do what you did...find it cheaper easy enough!!

Thanks Bill!! Glad you showed up for the road trip!!! Always need a good navigator!!

[Leon]

Count me in Todd,always nice to see another Bradley build.

[TRM]

Thanks Leon...got a ticket right here for ya!!

[Deleted]

Ok , when's the building part ?
My pop corn is going stale ......

[TRM]

LOL...I smelled the popcorn Carl!! I played a little of the snip snip game tonight!! I will try and get some pics up tomorrow!!

[Deleted]

Sounds good Todd . I'll be ready with another bag !

[deafpanzer]

You have my attention... will you let me feel it too in few days?

[TRM]

Thanks Andy!! Sure, why not!!

[imatanker]

Not only is Carls popcorn cold but my soda is warm. Yuck. AND I'm running out of ice.

[TRM]

Sorry Jeff!! Just about ready to eat some supper...then snap some pics!!

[imatanker]

What ever works Bud. It's all good.

[TRM]

Jeff....Carl....next round of snacks are on me for making you wait the extra 24 hours!!

A little update....the kit has been cracked! With the obvious starting point, the lower end needed to get some lovin'!



The wheels are a 5-piece affair with the poly caps to make things a bit easier to manage. There is a bit of cleanup involved with the wheels, but nothing to write home about. Grab a coffee and a sanding stick and you should be done in no time!!



The one soft area is the shock plates. These do not show too much after the top goes on, but there should be 3 bolt heads added to the top crescent shaped plate...might tackle this shortly!



The sprockets are nicely detailed but some care is needed in removing them from the sprues. There are multiple points of attachment both high and low sections on the teeth.



The track assembly was the next thing to beat on with this one. This kit, as you might know from reading my review (maybe ) are individual metal link movable tracks. With around 170 links in the kit and the instructions actually calling for 70 when it is more like 77, they go together okay. The track pins are pre-cut and do take a little wiggling to slide through but work the same as other metal links tracks.





I found it best to start the pin from one side, flip the track section and while adding a little pressure on the pin, wiggle the links and the pin slides right in.





All in all, these took me about 1 1/2 hours to assemble.



The fit on the sprockets was just fine!



There is a very minute bit of slack on one side verses the other. Not sure what caused this shy of using a caliper to measure the wheel diameters (which I will not do). To be honest, the side skirt armor cover the majority of the tracks along the top and while they do not look bad, if you can see it when the model is done...I will buy you and ice cream!!



Just the tracks Mam...just the tracks!





With the conclusion of the tracks and the lower front plate, it is time to move on!! The upper hull need to come out of the box!!



As outlined in my review, one other minor item I was a bit disappointed with...but again, not breaking the bank here, is the armor plate handles along the skirt. These actually jog out from the plate on the real Bradley. This detail could have been left off and done with either styrene or PE parts...but the manufacturer decided to go this route instead. Basically a true modern junkie would have picked up on this straight away...and since I am not one of them, they stay. Mainly because I can't see the need to carefully shave off all the details and scratch build all these handles this time around!



Also, I raised and eyebrow at the armor itself as it is molded to the body without and option for individual placement...but not everyone builds a well used vehicle. If I decide to go that route, it is easy enough to slice some joints and move things around when the time comes!!

With that, a good ole fashioned dry fit was in order to see how things look.





Things look like they are shaping up nicely I think. Time to work the rear plate/door and start cleaning some parts for the top. As always...thank for stopping in!!

[Deleted]

Looks like some very well done crisp details Todd . A real shock for me is the relatively low MSRP of $65 when the kit includes metal tracks ! A set of Friuls is about that cost alone .
That track pad and wheel template will be nice .
It'll look just as good with the molded on armor panels as with them separate but having them attach individually would of been nice to show some damaged/missing panels .
Looks real good sitting there with the metal tracks .

[John Everett]

I've always liked the Bradly. But I've never seen this kit before. I'll look forward to seeing how this one is better/worse than the vehicle from Tamiya.

Does it come with an interior?

[TRM]

Thanks Carl! The price tag did seem fair with what the kit comes with. As you know, nothing is ever perfect. I am pleased with the kit details for sure. And the molded plates don't bother me too much other than when it comes to the tracks going on. With the separate plates, you can attach the upper hull before painting...otherwise it would be a bugger...not impossible though, to attach the tracks after with the skirts there.

Thanks for tagging along on this one John!! Personally not familiar with the Tamiya, but a quick look it has a little on the kit I think in regards to details...but that is just my opinion. Sadly no interior. But I am guessing they might end up there at some point. The rear door has interior detailing and could be positioned open if you wanted. But with no parts highly inadvisable! LOL!! See you at the show in a couple days...that is if you are making it to ArmorCon this year!!

[imatanker]

Now that's what I call an update. Well done Todd.

[TRM]

Thanks Jeff! Every little bit, right?

[dupes]

Only an hour and a half to do both runs of tracks? That's not too bad at all.