IPMS Richmond's next meeting is Monday, May 8th. We have a Demo on airbrushing by Grex Airbrush Company's rep "Bear" Andersen.

M2A3 Bradley w/BUSK III - And So It Begins

Getting a jump start on my group build by beginning with the engine compartment components instead of the suspension. The fit on the parts, so far, is excellent. This is my first Meng kit and the styrene seems more brittle than others when cutting and sanding but softer when reacting to adhesive.

Here's a photo of the engine compartment components. Since I'm building this OOB, I will not be adding any wiring, etc. to the kit. By the way, the kit includes a complete interior. I will assemble the radiator to the engine once I get them back from the spray booth.

(l. to r.) Engine, Radiator Components, Transmission, Air Intake System

--Mark Groth

Meng M2A3 Bradley w/BUSK III (1/35th)

This is my kit for the Bradley group build for the Roanoke Valley IPMS Shootout in August 2017. Upon opening the deep box I was met with EIGHTEEN bags of glorious styrene, three bags of PE, one of clear parts, one of track links, decals, and a detailed instruction book. After reviewing the instruction manual the build really doesn't look that difficult. It does have a complete interior including engine compartment but, since I'll be building it OOB, it doesn't appear to present any insurmountable issues. However, given my glacial build speed, I'll revisit the time constraint in a couple of months and might have to drop back to a simpler model for the Shootout. Stay tuned!

--Mark Groth

M2/M3 Bradley References for Group Build

Thanks to Bob Walls, following are links to four references that may prove useful when building your M2/M3 Bradley:

Warmachines No. 5 - M2/M3 Bradley

Osprey New Vanguard No. 18 - M2/M3 Bradley IFV (1983-95)

Europa Militaria No. 30 - Bradley Company

Mini Color Series, Iraq Insurgency, U.S. Armored Vehicles in Action (Part 1)

--Mark Groth

2017 Group Build

Welcome to the IPMS Richmond group build for 2017! In preparation for the Roanoke Valley Shootout on August 12 at the Salem Civic Center, we thought it would be interesting for as many IPMS Richmond members as possible to build and enter a Bradley IFV--any version, any kit, any scale. Further discussion at our May 8 meeting.

Please post progress, issues, or questions about your build here--just be sure to label it "2017 Group Build" to ensure it remains with all the other posts.

Link to Roanoke Valley IPMS.

--Mark Groth

2017 ODO Rule Clarification: Canopies in Out of Box Category

Out of Box (OOB) Categories Eligibility
d.) The modeler may fill seams, and gaps; sand off rivets; drill out gun ports, exhaust pipes, or other appropriate openings; thin to scale such parts as trailing edges, flaps, and doors; re-scribe panel lines lost in construction; and add rigging and antennas. Cutting kit canopies are allowed. Tape or paper belts are permitted but seat belt buckles must be made of paper or tape.

IF A CANOPY IS PART OF THE ORIGINAL KIT, IT MAY BE CUT OR OPENED AND THE MODEL MAY REMAIN IN THE OUT OF BOX CATEGORY.

e.) It is NOT permitted to: vacuum-form, manufacture, or replace any part, or substitute parts from another kit; cut or separate canopies, surfaces, hatches, doors, etc. (no major surgery); combine a standard kit with a conversion kit; add anything other than specified on the instruction sheet.

THIS SECTION APPLIES TO AFTER-MARKET CANOPIES OR CANOPIES NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL KIT. AS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ALL UNDER THIS RULE, THE USE OF ANY CANOPY NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL KIT WILL RESULT IN THE MODEL BEING REMOVED FROM THE OUT OF BOX CATEGORY.

2017 ODO Awards Unveiled!

For its 2017 awards, the Old Dominion Open has revisited its origins, incorporating the "R & Star" design. If you ever needed a reason for entering your models, this is it!

See you on Saturday, February 25, 2017!

First, Second, and Third Place Awards

"Best of . . ." Awards