Forces Of Valor M3A2 Bradley Customs [Archive] - HissTank.com

arch2b

12-18-2007, 09:54 AM

I just bought the tan and camo version of the forces of valor 1:18 bradleys adn will be converting them to joe/cobra use over the x-mas break! i am very glad i caught info on these here on this forum as i've seen them in the store and never paid attention to them until i saw pictures here. these things are awsome! they are perfect compliments to 25th line figures.

joe bradley
i ordered reproduction stickers for the mauler and mobat for the camo version of the bradley. i don't plan on doing anyting to this other than the appropriate joe sticker applications.

cobra bradley
i ordered reproduction stickers for the hiss and cat for the tan version of the bradley. i plan on repainting this a dark blue, much darker than my cobra mobat repaint and applying the appropriate cobra stickers.

i am disappointed they seemd to have wasted alot of space inside the vehicle. has anyone modified this to open up some of the front hatches? there is tons of void space in this thing.

has anyone used the light armoured vehicles? i'm soo tempted to pick up 2 of those as well.

arch2b

12-21-2007, 07:57 PM

i started a gallery for this project, http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/showgallery.php?cat=1242

the scale seems perfect for the 25 line figures
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4801.JPG

here is a picture showing the 2 colors of paint i have.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4812.JPG
the lighter blue, patriotic blue, is what i used on the cobra mobat which fits as it's more cartoonish in brightness so it seems to fit very well.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/968/medium/IMG_4650.JPG
the darker blue, navy blue, is what i plan on using for the cobra bradley. it should give a more realistic look and more similar to other black cobra vehicles.
i was hoping krylon had a color that is a closer match to teh cobra asp but i can't seem to find one.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/968/medium/IMG_4645.JPG

anyone think the lighter color would look better?

i took many detailed images so i know how to put it all back together and what some of the stock markings look like should i try to replicate them.

the screws are VERY soft so be very careful in removing them. i managed to strip one already. there really aren't too many peices as most are glued together which is a shame. it would make painting much easier if i could remove all the panels, etc. i'm going to have to go carefully inorder to get coverage in many of the nooks and cranies.

apacolypse

12-21-2007, 08:54 PM

The only advice on paint color I can give is...look outside of Krylon.

I found that the Walmart brand Colorplace Blue is a very very close match (IMO) to the originial cobra blue color. I use it often..and just hit it with a clear coat of Krylon Matte finish when its dry to seal it up. I posted several customs here using the Walmart blue...search "viper pit" in custom section to see the color.

As for the nooks and crannies...be sure to move the piece around..and hit it with paint from several angles. I find that works for me. You could also give it a "wash" with black when done to highlight the depth in those nooks and crannies.

Good luck with it...can't wait to see it when done.

arch2b

12-23-2007, 05:58 PM

i bought some of the walmart paint and it's soo close to the krylon navy blue, just a shade lighter in color. so, i decided to stick with the krylon for better or worse.

as i mentioned, i took the bradley apart
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4813.JPG

this is mostly disassembled. i took the side skrts with wheels off the base as it's not going to be easy to paint all around them. i also removed the rear light/mud flaps as well as these shapes are going to need some car as well.

here are the first few peices i painted.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4819.JPG

i decided to reduce the amount of touch up needed by masking off what i can using tamiya mask tape. i've sued this tuff for years with rc painting and it's easy to work with and paint does not blead thru it.

arch2b

12-23-2007, 06:01 PM

i still need to figure out how to get the front light bucket things off without breaking them but i masked over the mud flaps
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4820.JPG

fyi, there are parts that clearly label the plastic as recycled abs plastic.

arch2b

12-23-2007, 06:05 PM

here is the rear lift gate after it's painted showing the area i masked off on the interior face
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4822.JPG

here is the base after it's painted with the rear compartment masked off
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4825.JPG

masking around the lip of the lift gate opening was a bit tricky but i'm happy with the results, nice and clean
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4826.JPG

i'll have to wait a couple days for hte paint to fully dry before i can start reassembly on some of the parts. i'm now concerned about the rubbing of the rear lift gate with the added layer of paint. i'd hate to finish this up only to have the paint scraped off the first time i open/close the rear lift gate.

Hicks_Royel

12-23-2007, 09:48 PM

Eh... paint rubs gonna happen. Just adds character.

But honestly, there isn't a car in the world that doesn't have a chip on it somewhere, this custom'll look good one way or another.

arch2b

12-23-2007, 10:01 PM

thanks for the perspective, your absolutely right.

i thought the gloss like finish was a bit much for a military type vehicle so i actually took the peices back out and gave them a light mist of paint to dull the finish. after a week or so i'll rub vehicle down so it doesn't look textured but still keeps the dirty, dull look.

fyi, i've found the mr. clean magic eraser works like a charm at preping the plastic surface for paint. it takes off any surface contaminents allowing the paint to go on nice and smooth. i ahve pictures of ares where i missed this step and you can see spots where the paint did not want to adhear.

what will really make or break this for me will be how the stickers look on it.

i'm so happy with the way this one is going, i'm already talking myself into a crimson guard bradley:)

these will be for the display of my opened 25 line figures. i'm trying to build 5/6 man teams for them and use the joe legion pack carded figures for the joe bradley. for the cobra bradley i still need a hiss driver and 4 of the red symbol troopers. i may have one or two silver symbol troopers to trade if anyone is interested? i have not seen a crimson guard yet so that team is still far off i'm afraid.

apacolypse

12-23-2007, 10:27 PM

See...I like those textured looks in paint. Looks more battle worn to me.

A friend/fellow customizer told me how to purposely ge that effect. Change the temperature of the paint...put the paint can in the fridge for a bit. When sprayed...you get a krinkled effect, which many say is a failure...me, I see as battle worn effect on vehicles...or scale effect on water craft.

I haven't used the Krylon Navy Blue...but I shall check it out next time I shop for paint.

Looks hella cool so far.

Also..I find that the blue painters tape works great for customs. I haven't had it peel up paint yet, just a tidbit from my experience.

arch2b

12-25-2007, 08:59 PM

the paint alomst has the 'hammered' effect vs. being textured which looks nice. i just hope i can get some good clear pictures to show it off.

the nice thing about tamiya mask tape is that you can easily work it around shapes like curves. the tape is thin enough to allow you to do that but still won't bleed.

i finished everything but the side launcher thingy and the side track rollers/skirt and ofcourse the main top shell. i actually ran out of paint so i'll have to go back out tomorrow to get another can to finish up the last bits.

i'll let it all set for a week and reassemble just in time for the stickers to arrive in the mail. :)

now, if target would just clearance these i would buy a couple more to do one for the crimson guard and hold out hope for a team of vipers? one should be enough for the joe side as there areen't any real army builder figures for the joes unfortunately.

i have to say, i have not had this much fun with custom projects in ahwhile. i got really good at the stuff i was doing with rc's and it's ncie to do something new. besides, joes have been taking up more time for me than rc's. we'll see how long that last with the joe drought in my area and 2008 rc racing season starting up again in a couple weeks.

incase anyone is curious, here are some galleries of my other work, mostly rc related
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/showgallery.php?cat=649
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/showgallery.php?cat=966
http://www2.mini-zracer.com/gallery/album54
http://www2.mini-zracer.com/gallery/album195
http://www2.mini-zracer.com/gallery/album70

one last thing.... has anyone seen the 21st century toys 1:18 bradley? it has all kinds of operating hatches, etc.

xhairs

12-25-2007, 09:15 PM

very cool my man you do some great work.

RolandofGilead

12-25-2007, 09:31 PM

That's incredible. Exactly what I was planning to do. Unfortunately, I'm new here and just don't know where to go to get the old Mobat and Mauler sticker sheets and instructions.

arch2b

12-25-2007, 09:45 PM

pm me and i'll forward you the email address i have for the person i was introduced to via advice from other forum members here.

i'm new here too;) happy to say i took the leap from lurker to active posting:) before coming across this forum, i had never considered custom projects for gi joes really. i had seen kit bash transformers stuff but never custom joe work and i have to say it's really got me hooked.

RolandofGilead

12-26-2007, 02:02 PM

Thanks for the great suggestions. After reading this last night I went directly to Target this morning and picked up the Bradley for $18.99.

arch2b

12-26-2007, 02:15 PM

cool! i plan on picking up another this weekend if they are still in stock for the crimson bradley. i just bought the krylon burgundy today so there si no turning back now;) i just hope i can find a crimson guard figure to see how well the color match is.

i was going to start painting the top shell today however it started rainging just as i got back with the paint restock. i painted the other small peices while it was raining but the shell is just too big and bulky to shelter from the rain. atleast it's above 40f today. i hate painting in the freezing cold.

arch2b

12-26-2007, 06:55 PM

since i already have the stickers, i'm paying homage to the joe/tf crossover as well;)
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4836.JPG

arch2b

12-27-2007, 07:37 PM

well, the rain died down enough for me to finish the side skirts and top shell. i just about finished the 2nd can of paint too!
here you can see the masked off intoerior area
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4908.JPG

here is the same part, finished
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4912.JPG

arch2b

12-27-2007, 07:52 PM

here is the top shell after 3 passes to get good coverage.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4910.JPG

good tip: the trouble spots are the spots along the extended up side panels and inbetween the front angled glued on panels. get up nice and close to these areas and hit it with the paint. this keeps overspray to a min. at surrounding areas and ensures coverage down into otherwise near impossible areas to get to. it will get them good and you may even have paint run however it will only flow down the crease or inbetween the tight spaces and if you do it with some finese, it won't be a problem and won't be noticable due to location. i made two close passes right up on these spots and the coverage ended up nice and full, no light spots since i painted over the sand color bradley. i had some paint run but it was at the taller angled glued on panel and i odn't care what it looks like in that gap so long as it's blue and not sand color splotches.

i was initially worried the navy blue would be too dark however it's turned out perfect in my opinion. here is a test fit after a couple hours of drying. you'll see a hair dryer in teh background, i use that to speed up the drying process for a coupole seconds.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4914.JPG

i'm going to let the parts sit till next weekend before re-assembley. the directions say a week before it's chip resistant and i have about a week before the stickers arrive anyway.
i'll either use this week to add some detail painting via testors bottles and a very fine point paint brush or just let it be. i've got my rc schedule to figure out this weekend so it all depends on how much time that takes. i also got an rc airplane for x-mas that i'm dying to fly naturally as well:rolleyes:

marauders order should arrive within a week as well i hope, so i should be adding lots of pictures to this project gallery. i'm hoping to resolve my trooper trades (driver and officer) and get everything wrapped up asap. i hate lingering projects, for me anyway.

Driftbot

12-29-2007, 09:14 PM

:eek: dude this project is awesome!

perfect for RC guys like you and me. i wish i could find vehicles like that around here. i did find another 1:18 humvee like the one i have from maisto. it was $20 but i thought one humvee was enough, esp. because i couldnt tell if this one had the same suspension and steering as mine. dindt have a machine gun on the roof so i assumed it didnt. otherwise it was the exact same die-cast mold.

good luck on your RC season! what are you racing? mini-Z still? i pretty much gave up on my old MR-01. its so ancient its hard to find parts for it. its just a display piece now. ironically, i'm also about halfway through a 1:10 RC body right now. i've been putting it off for MONTHS! hahaha its a yokomo levin painted with smoke then champagne with a DIY carbon fiber painted hood. its like 30% done hahaha

i cant wait to see this cobra bradley finished with cobra troops pouring out the back!!!

arch2b

12-29-2007, 09:43 PM

thanks!
still racing mini-z's, for 5+ years now. i dabble in half eights and i have an m18 but i don't have the space to get those out much. last lexan i painted was an m18 corvette c5-r. it's all in my gallery....

well, today was a nasty day out so i couldn't wait the week like i should have. i got ti all together in about 20 minutes and realized i left a part out. for now it will stay out unless i get anxious again and take the thing apart to get it back in.

i also broke out the testors paint bottles and added some detail all day long. things like the black around the rollers, the smoke grenades on the turret and other little things like getting the lights back to factory finish. better yet, i'll let the pictures show...

here is the reassembled bradley
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4916.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4918.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4922.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4920.JPG

arch2b

12-29-2007, 09:45 PM

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4927.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4919.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4921.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4923.JPG

arch2b

12-29-2007, 09:47 PM

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4924.JPG

i'm currently hunting down a super fine paint brush to get into the grille area on the front
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4926.JPG

i tried a black wash on the bottom factory stamping and the black paint simply dulled the finish like a bad smear so i won't be doing that.

after the grilles are done, i think the rest will be sticker applications

arch2b

12-29-2007, 10:37 PM

here are the last additions for the day. hand drawn sticker made from ahipping labels that replicate the stock markings with some alterations such as changing the letters to hiss i guess to designate it as part of a hiss attachment, to me anyway and 788 to match the hiss tank numbers that will be applied when those stickers arrive.

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4930.JPG

Driftbot

12-30-2007, 03:05 AM

YES YES YESSSSSS!!!!!
oh man its so full of win. EXCELLENT JOB!!!
gonna paint that tow cable silver? would look great. love the job on the tool kit! is that a seperate piece or actually molded on the tank? looks fabulous!
love love LOVE the decpticon logo! nice and subtle...

and yeah i always considered anything on treads to be in cobra's 788th mechanized. ;)

and i wasnt sure at first but i like how it looks with the insides still tan. it needs some troops deploying out the back putting some lazer fire downrange! :D

man that looks great... congrats on 100% success for this project! well, maybe 99%... what part did you leave out?

cobra commander: "WHAAT!!!? you left out the transssmission?!? you FOOL!!!! AAHHHHHH!!!!! GET OUT OF MY SSSIGHT!!!!!"

arch2b

12-30-2007, 09:58 AM

:)
i was planning on painting the rear tow rope black. silver would stand out too much and i don't have the sarm metallic paint that would return it to stock coloring.

i still have all the hiss/cat stickers to apply. i'm hoping they arrive this week.

i still have my joe bradley to do as well however there is nothing to show other than the autobot sticker i put on as it's waiting for the mauler/mobat stickers. as soon as all thats done i'll have even more pictures to post.

so far i'm very happy with the way it's turned out. i'm glad to see others like it as well. it's always nice to get peer review:)

oh, i picked up the e.f. light armor vehicle thru a forum member so i will be starting a crimson repaint project as soon as that arrives. guess i need to order more hiss/cat stickers:rolleyes: that would be set number 3 for me:p

Moses

12-30-2007, 10:53 AM

quick caveat on the EF LAV. I was hoping to make it into a Cobra custom. The turret opening is pretty tight - only figures with skinny legs and waist will fit in. Needless to say, 25A Cobra figures get their feet and calves in, but that's it.

Good work with the bradley. Looks very cool now - should look awesome with some cobra sigils on it

arch2b

12-30-2007, 12:49 PM

thanks for the warning. fortunately i plan on legion c.c. to be riding in the turret. i can always dremel out the opening some provided the hatch is larger than the opening. heck, i could even remove the bucket inside entirely and replace it with my own if needed and it's accessible. bascially, i'll make it work:) this c.c. is fairly skinny too.

Moses

12-30-2007, 09:42 PM

CC Fits no problem - I just checked. That gives me an idea - custom cobra APC driver using the CC legs.

arch2b

12-30-2007, 09:46 PM

thanks for checking. i'll try to keep this on topic to i'll take this conversation over to my lav thread. i'll have to start a new one in this subforum as soon as it arrives. :)

i hope my stickers arrive tomorrow... only 2 more days of vacation time and it's back to work.

heatviper

12-30-2007, 09:56 PM

Looks amazing!

arch2b

01-05-2008, 11:35 PM

well, since teh bradley is just sitting around waiting for stickers to show up in the mail, i keep adding detail to the paint. this week i've painted some tube on the rear
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4954.JPG

i also took off the white stickers with lettering and hand painted the white areas that i will have to go back and hand letter on the paint. you'll also see i painted the tow rope on teh back hatch
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4953.JPG
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4952.JPG

arch2b

01-05-2008, 11:40 PM

i also found a toothpick like paint brush to fill in the grille areas on the front. it was not easy and took a very steady hand to get the brush in the slots without getting the paint all over the place. i used a baby wipe to go ver the surface after a couple slots to clean up any residual paint. it lightened up the black infill a bit but i think it still looks better than the solid blue it was before. it's not really even as you can see in the picture but you will likely not be right up on it and it will look much more smoothly done when standing back at an average distance, say an arms length. not perfect but best i could do with what i had.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4955.JPG

AirborneRigger

01-06-2008, 12:53 AM

arch2b

01-06-2008, 09:26 AM

i explained why that doesn't work with the paint i'm using in earlier posts. something about the testors paint does not simply wipe off the krylon.

i will be dry brushing later with something i picked up from the store yesterday, or atleast giving it a try. i bought a tamiya weathering master kit. if that fails i'll simply rub in some good old fashion dirt:)

Texasdoom

01-06-2008, 08:30 PM

Wow that is by far the leetest thing I have ever seen. I bought the very same Bradley at my target earlier today.

arch2b

01-06-2008, 09:06 PM

thanks. i assembled most of my joe team for the camo bradley. i have one gun yet to replace (road blocks). i need to place my 3rd order with marauders... i still need to add hawk and hopefully one of the old school drivers if or when they come out.

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4962.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4964.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4965.JPG

arch2b

01-06-2008, 09:09 PM

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4963.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4961.JPG

so this is it for now for the joes. next up my cobra team for the cobra bradley.

arch2b

01-06-2008, 09:11 PM

this is not yet complete however as i have not yet received my trade figures which i expect this week so all i have to post are the soldiers/driver right now, 4 of them. not pictured is the officer, driver or cc. i'm still debating on weither or not to add some of the other cobra 5 pack figures.

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4957.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4956.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4959.JPG

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4958.JPG

arch2b

01-09-2008, 07:58 PM

worries over! i got my sticker sets tonight. i don't think i'll have time to get to them until the weekend however :(

arch2b

01-09-2008, 10:37 PM

in the 45 minutes of free time i had tonight i started the detailing on the marauders weapons. i followed fellow members advice on dry brushing and i have to say, i am so glad i did. while the detail may not show up in pictures well, i can tell and it looks good.
all i did was dab some testors silver paint on my fine point brush and then dry it off on a napkin and brush over the raised edges of the weapon. naturallu i goofed in some areas but the first couple are learing experiences as i've never used this techique before.
i'm sure i can always go back over and remove the paint where its a bit over done when i get the chance. right now i'd like to get as many of them done as possible and then go back and fix whatever needs fixing. right now a couple of them look like they have been beat to hell.

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4983.JPG

full size image:
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/IMG_4983.JPG

arch2b

01-11-2008, 07:59 PM

i got the last of my cobra team members in trade! here is the cobra 5 pack cc with megatron style weapon
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4985.JPG

arch2b

01-11-2008, 11:41 PM

i got jump on my joe team weapon weathering tonight and did the s.e. rifle
before
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4964.JPG

after
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_4986.JPG

seppaku

01-11-2008, 11:43 PM

Looks good...

arch2b

01-12-2008, 10:36 PM

took the time today to get the stickers on and took some pictures!

first up is the cobra bradley

left side
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_5008.JPG

right side
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_5007.JPG

Front
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_5009.JPG

back
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1242/medium/IMG_5010.JPG