Academy 1/35 M2A2 Bradley O.I.F. By Kent Kirkpatrick

M2A2 Bradley

Summarizing the kit instructions, the agile M2A2 Bradley Fighting vehicle is a fast and lightly armored personnel carrier weighing 29.2 tons. With its 500 horse powered diesel engine the M2A2 is capable of reaching a top speed of 40 mph. This speed is needed to keep up with the M1 Abrams main battle tank when carrying out rapid offensive maneuvers. The M2A2 is armed with antitank missiles and high-powered machine guns capable of destroying other armored vehicles while supporting ground troops. Over its aluminum skin is spaced steel appliqué armor to increase protection from shape charged munitions.

The Kit

Academy's colorful boxart shows a desert yellow M2A2 Bradley in US markings for a good painting and decal reference. There are some color photos of a finished model on the sides of the box. Inside the box is a eight-page instruction manual in Korean, Chinese, German and English. General illustrations are very well done and in logical order of assembly. There are thirteen subassembly steps to complete this model. Kit instructions have a symbol legend for filing, gluing, cutting, etc. to assist you through assembly. If you have trouble finding a part there is a parts location diagram page. There are multiple sealed bags containing part sprues and one containing the decals. The sprues are molded in a soft mustard yellow styrene. There is one sprue of polyvinyl caps used for road wheel assembly. Upon initial inspection there is no visible flash on any of the styrene parts. There are parts that won't be used for this M2A2 indicated in the 'Unused Parts' listing at the bottom of the parts location diagram. To bad these part are not shaded for easier visual detection. Minor injection pin markings are mostly hidden from view after assembly or need minimal sanding to remove. Tracks are molded in a gun metal vinyl but there is some minor flash on them. They are thin and very well detailed. The M2A2 kit has very good exterior surface detailing right down to the bolts on the hull appliqué armor. Commander, gunner and driver hatches are open if you wish to incorporate figures (not included in the kit). Step 1 begins kit assembly with the road wheels. Partial lower hull detailing is done in step 2. Keep in mind that the lower hull is from a 'motorized' version even though it is a static model. Steps 3 and 4 follow with rear door assembly and detail. The lower hull is completed in step 5 with the mating of the road wheels, rear plate and door as well as other details. The upper hull is next to be assembled in steps 6 through 8. This is where most of the detailing is performed for this kit including tool stowage, appliqué armor, hatches, etc. In steps 9 through 12 you will assemble the 20mm gun turret detailing it with appliqué armor, antitank missile launcher as well as the traditional turret details. The launcher can be placed in a stored or firing position. You are given the option of accessory parts including ID panels, extra drive sprocket and road wheels. They even opened up the bolt holes in the spare road wheels meaning you don't have to drill the little buggers out. Nice touch Academy. Final assembly is completed in step 13 where the lower and upper hulls are mated with the turret. Here you will mount your tracks to the vehicle. Overall, assembly appears to be straightforward without any complicated steps requiring you to scratch your head. As usual, the decals are of high quality, printed on thin film and well done. You do not have any unit markings to speak of. There are paint and decal placement steps that give you the option of two M2A2 Bradleys, both from the Iraq war 2003. Your primary vehicle color is a 'sandy brown' but I would use Tamiya's Desert Yellow for vehicles used in that theater of operation.

Conclusion

This kit looks great on the sprue but only a buildup will reinforce its in-box quality. Academy's new releases of armor kits are excellent and the M2A2 Bradley is no exception. Virtually no flash or sink marks on the parts. I definitely give this kit two thumbs up for detail and it appears to be very accurate in my opinion. Highly recommend for builders of Iraq War 2003 AFVs. I would like to thank MRC for the review kit.