Chip's 1/35 Merkava***Finished***

[Molly-new]

As an addition to my IDF collection I will be building a Tamiya Merkava;



The innards:



The kit comes with the commanders figure, but I intend to fit figures in all positions. To that end I will attempt to convert these;



into Israeli Tank crew. Something I have not done before but I relish a challenge.

[jssel]

Nice choice.

[ShaunW]

Nice one and it'll be interesting to see your figure conversions - I steer well away from figures at the best of times so anybody converting the little blighters is a modelling hero in my book

[Molly-new]

anybody converting the little blighters is a modelling hero in my book

Best to wait and see what the outcome is first.

Although it is 1/35 scale it does not seem to have as many parts as a lot of my previous builds, and even the running gear doesn't seem too daunting.



The Hull and top Armour are well molded:



The Turret comes in two parts, as standard:



One more sprue holds the remaining bits:



The final parts come in a small bag, and comprise of the poly-caps for the roadwheels, some mesh for bottom of the stowage baskets, decals and some clear, pre-cut plastic for the episcopes, which is a first for me.



Looking forward to cracking on with this now.

[ShaunW]

Looks to be a relatively simple kit but decent quality all the same. A lot of modern armour kits have individual link tracks which grossly push up the parts count, although such tracks can look a whole lot better than rubber band types they can be a bit of a mare to put together.

My attempts at figures so far have been dire, all staring eyes etc and I wouldn't attempt them on here just yet. Hopefully yours will turn out a whole lot better.

[Molly-new]

Made a start on this, and I must admit I am quite pleased with the way that Tamiya have engineered this kit, it is pretty much falling together. So far the road wheels and idlers are all together:



The poly-caps will enable me to fit the wheels on once they, and the hull, have been painted.

I have started to fit the suspension to the hull:



And have assembled the rear panel:



I am leaving the tool (part B28) off until after painting.

[Molly-new]

The rest of the suspension has now been fitted, and the bottom hull is ready for painting:



Next up is to add the extra detail to the turret and top hull, though there is quite a bit of detail already molded on:

[jssel]

Great work. Quick question: Have you seen the aftermarket product for the "dangling weights" around the turret? I think they are a form of applique armor to deflect RPG rounds.

[ShaunW]

Great work. Quick question: Have you seen the aftermarket product for the "dangling weights" around the turret? I think they are a form of applique armor to deflect RPG rounds.

Those are one of the characteristic features of this vehicle. Does this kit cater for them, I don't think I can see anything resembling them on the sprue shots?

[Molly-new]

This version is the basic Merkava, as used in Lebanon in 1982 (Operation Peace for Galilee). It was during this conflict that the threat from ATGW's became apparent, and the very simple ball and chain apparatus was designed.

[ShaunW]

This version is the basic Merkava, as used in Lebanon in 1982 (Operation Peace for Galilee). It was during this conflict that the threat from ATGW's became apparent, and the very simple ball and chain apparatus was designed.

Saves the effort trying to replicate that then! Onwards and upwards, I'm looking forward to seeing more of this build. Another Merkava tech question - were the early tanks based on Centurion running gear?

[Molly-new]

were the early tanks based on Centurion running gear?

Many aspects of the initial Merkava design was based on the Centurion, even as far as using the same road wheels.


Over the weekend I have managed to get the turret and upper hull completed:





I have left off the clear bits for the episcopes as these can be added from inside after painting. I have also closed up the drivers hatch as 99% of my research shows the hatch in the closed position. This means I will not need a driver figure, and I have found a spare figure to put in the gunners position. It still needs updating, but nowhere near as much as the other figures I was going to use needed.



The tools and MG's will be painted separately and fitted at the end.

[Molly-new]

I have finally found time to get a coat of primer on, and also done the pre-shading:



I have also made a start on updating the second figure by fashioning some bodyarmour out of some thin plastic card and filler:

[jssel]

Nice work Chip. It is a mean looking piece of armor for sure. Love the body armor scratch work also.

[Molly-new]

Thanks, I have done a little more on the figures helmet.