Almost ready for the final dusting, after the rest of the detail bits are on. Basic color is Krylon satin khaki, with oil and acrylic washes followed by a dry brushing (yup) with Humbrol #72. Tracks are Friul, and some detail bits are Meng, otherwise OOB.
IMG_0522 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0521 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0520 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0519 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Chains and balls were a pain, but I finally completed a set, after several abortive tries.

Nice work Russ!

Thanks John. Now that I've broken the "Ball and Chain Cherry", I'm looking forward to doing the Academy Merk2D, then I'll have one model of each major Merk in the case, a long time goal of mine.

Russel, beautiful work! Just for my own info; what was your base color prior for the finish? I like the shade.

Best wishes,

Ian

Thanks Ian. Base color was Krylon gloss khaki, #1037571. It takes about four days to dry, but is pretty durable.
I did a little more detail painting and some weathering on the tracks and running gear today, and also can't find the PE screens for the hull stowage baskets. Jeez....

Krylon base color coat... I thought this was my model build

The ball and chain is why I haven't even started the five Merkava kits I have in the stashola

Krylon is an excellent paint, with a good amount of color choices. I'm a fan. And I have to say, after attempting the Legends ball and chain twice and giving up both times, the HB setup is the most user-friendly. I'm ham-handed, shake a little bit, and wear a strong opti-visor now, and I managed to finish this set. That being said, the next Merkava in line is a Meng Merk3, on which I'll use the kit parts.
And I also have pics of where this kit is now. I have the tow cables and MGs out and ready to do, and will wait until I have the skirts attached to do the final, light dusting.
IMG_0529 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0528 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0526 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0525 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm really happy with the mortar and cage I picked up off Shapeways, it's a real gem. All I had to do to use it was add the dust cover around the tube with some 2-part putty. It's probably the best part of the model. I'm also reasonably satisfied with the hanging screens on the rear baskets. Since I really lost the PE parts (they'll surely turn up as soon as I start the next model) I went ahead and used the kit plastic pieces. I sanded them as thin as I could get them, gave them a slight accordion fold, then with good old-fashioned washes and dry-brushing, got the perforations and gaps to look pretty nice.

That is one great looking Merk. Your paint job and weathering are incredible. I had this same kit along with some etch in a box that got lost, during a move. I've missed it, but think I will go with the Takom option.

Thanks Matt. I'm going to get the Takon Merk2 on the way as soon as my budget allows myself, I've been wanting to do a Merk2 Hybrid for the longest time. In fact, I have lots of bits collected for it, both Tamiya and Academy. What to do with those now.....

I agree totally. They have a very nice Satin range of colors as well. Rust-Oleum released a Camoflage set of color that is all dead flat. There are approx 4-5 colors in this series.

IMG_0528

Great work on that plastic part. Looks real.

You mean Mk.I Hybrid?

Nice save on the plastic screens Russ, excellent build!

Ah, yes. In a hurry to respond, on the way out the door.

Gents, thanks. I did the HB MGs the other day, fiddly brass and tiny plastic parts. I'm going to do the pair out of the Meng parts kit I have, see which I like better.

Matthew, I confess. I'm addicted, although I do throw in a Magach now and then.....

Thanks!
Turret MGs for TC and loader in paint, tiny, tiny parts. Pics soon.

Small progress:
IMG_0538 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0537 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0536 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I have a set of Valkyrie IDF figs to use, hatches will stay open on this one.

Looks outstanding, Russel! Is that the final color for the cable eyes? Because they should be glossy black...

Which MG's are those Russ, which ones did you like better?

Israel: Cable ends will be painted with a coat of black, then buffed. It gives a nice black metal look.
John, I think I like the look of the Meng parts, even though they're not as well detailed and possibly over scale. I felt the HB pieces were insanely complicated, and when they're done don't look any better than the Meng parts. Heck, I have to use an optivisor just to see them, let alone assemble and paint them.
Getting old sucks.

Yup, I'm wearing a mild prescription full time now.
So, I'm almost done, just have to paint the inside of the doors for the gunner's sight, add antennae, some exhaust smoke and probably crew figs. Anyone know if these guys would be correct?
IMG_0550 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Pics of where I am now, forgive the lighting, it's a weird time of day.....
IMG_0549 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0548 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0547 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0545 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I think the screens look great, particularly considering they are the plastic ones! You did a great job! I am building the Academy Merk IV LIC now, and have the Voyager PE set, and fortunately have the PE version, but they don't look much better than yours. I am always afraid when air brushing PE screens, that I will get too much spray on them and fill the holes (don't ask me why I have such fears). The ones on the baskets screens did turn out okay, though.

I love the color you have on your Merkava; it is perfect! I am a huge fan of Tamiya acrylics, and have been using a mix of two Tamiya colors to get the current IDF color, though I like the Lifecolor IDF Sand Grey color out of the bottle, too, with just a slight difference from my Tamiya mix. If I was going to do a diorama with two IDF tanks next to each other, I might use the Tamiya and Lifecolor on the two tanks, so they don't look identical, perhaps the Lifecolor tank would be the one that was out in the sun longer. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread. Your tank looks great! I'm a Merkava fan, too!

Yepp. The ammo vest they're wearing entered service around the mid-late '90's I believe. It was designed to hold four magazines of the Glilon (short barreled Galil) assault rifle, so holding the same amount of the smaller magazines of the currently used M4 shouldn't be a problem.
Now the overall is interesting, not a type I'm familiar with. The square shaped patch on the groin could be actually covering the air con tube connector (the Mk. 3's air con system cools each crewman independently through the overall rather than the whole fighting compartment; as far as I remember that's what an Mk.3 TC told me once...). Perhaps someone can verify this. In this case they're just perfect for your Mk.3.
The boots should be black, not brown. Black barets and boots are the Armored Corps trademarks.

Curt, thanks. I guess there's still a place for old school painting techniques on things like the basket screens. Thinning them down to almost nothing so I could put the slight accordion fold on them helped. Regarding the paint, I've been trying different colors and treatments for a while now, trying to find the "ideal" color for later IDF tanks, and am coming to the conclusion that it all winds down to what looks good on any particular day. My only real drawback is that the base coat must be in a rattle can, as I do not have a place to use an airbrush.
RR, good to know, and thanks.