Preview: Meng Models 1/35 scale U.S. Infantry Fighting Vehicle M2A3 Bradley (w/BUSK III)

Meng continue on their crusade to bring us more from the modern battlefield with their latest kit – the very popular moulding of the 1/35^th scale M2A3 Bradley  - With BUSK III of course!

SS-004 kit

667 parts on 23 plastic sprues (incl. 179 interior parts on 6 sprues),

31 parts on 3 PE frets,

10 parts on 2 TPE sprues (incl. Passengers’ safety belts and coaxial machine gun bullet belt),

168 track links of 2 cement-free workable tracks.

After studying a lot of real vehicle reference material and carrying out complete and detailed design, MENG has now released this 1/35 scale SS-004 kit –U.S. Infantry Fighting Vehicle M2A3 Bradley w/BUSK III. In addition to features like accurate shape, rich details and perfect fit, this SS-004 kit also provides full hull and turret interiors (incl. engine, transmission and all parts in the driver’s compartment and passenger compartment). The real vehicle’s complete structure and details are precisely replicated with movable hatches, workable tracks, movable suspension and the linkage of the coaxial machine gun sight. The TOW anti-tank missile launcher can be modelled in folded or firing position with or without the missiles. The vehicle can be modelled with or without the ERA modules. What’s more, this kit also provides reasonably complete modern U.S. military antennae. With these options, modellers have more room to build their own M2A3 Bradley IFV models.

Meng are now doing a step-by step build on their facebook site to show you the features of this kit…

M2A3 Bradley BUSK III IFV, the U.S. Army’s most advanced IFV at present, is a variant of the M2 Bradley which went into service in 1980s. This IFV is installed with the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Battlefield Command Information System and Bradley Urban Survivability Kits (BUSK). It has strong survivability and informatization combat capabilities.

Combat weight of a M2A3 Bradley BUSK III IFV with ERA modules is about 30t. It is powered by a 600hp VTA-903T diesel engine with an HMPT-500-3 hydromechanical transmission. The two-man turret consists of a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, a 7.62mm M240C coaxial machine gun and a two-tube TOW anti-tank missile launcher. The rear passenger compartment can hold 6 soldiers and there’s room for another one behind the driver’s seat. So taking into account of the crew, it can hold 10 people in total.

This IFV serves in U.S. troops stationed in the Continental United States, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Korea.

KIT INFO

This 1/35 scale U.S. Infantry Fighting Vehicle M2A3 Bradley w/BUSK III model is 203.5mm long, 107.3mm wide and 97.1mm high (to the top of the closed Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer). In addition to features like accurate shape, rich details and perfect fit, this kit also provides full hull and turret interiors (incl. engine, transmission and all parts in the driver’s compartment and passenger compartment). The real vehicle’s complete structure and details are precisely replicated with movable hatches, workable tracks, movable suspension and the linkage of the coaxial machine gun sight.

Air Conditioners, Add-On Armour And Other Details Are Realistically Represented.

Anti-Slip Coating On The Front Armour And Hull Is Perfectly Replicated.

Side Skirts And Turret Can Be Modeled Without The ERA Modules.

There Are A Lot Of Details On The Turret; Movable Parts Make The Model More Interesting.

The Beautiful Transmission And Engine Are Visible When The Engine Cover Is Open.

The Gun, Machine Gun, Sight And Mantlet Tarp Move Together; The Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer Is Rotatable.

There Are A Lot Of Interior Details In The Driver’s Compartment.

The Hatch For Refilling Missiles Is Movable; Ammo Boxes On The Back Of Rear Turret Storage Basket Can Be Assembled With Or Without A Lid.

The Passenger Compartment Is Perfectly Reproduced; Passenger Seat Belts Are Included.

Movable Suspension And Workable Tracks Are Included.

Workable Tracks, Seat Belts, Mantlet Tarp, Road Wheel And Track Paint Mask, Clear Blue Parts And Free Warning Signs.

This Kit Consists Of Sand Yellow, Light Green, Medium Gray, Black And Clear Plastic Sprues. It Also Contains PE Frets, Rubber Parts And Metal Parts.

More on this kit and all of the Meng range at their website…