I've tried to make some scratch modifications and improvements, in order to obtain a model as seen in Cast Lead Operation. Actually the hull is nearly completed, so as soon as possible I'll start with the turret, where I'll add a "droid" for sure. Actually I've the A.E.F. one, but I'm sure others will be soon in the market: let's see.
The model is that one from the Legend range, as I already had it, even if more tricky and expensive that the Academy one, but that is. By the way I think it's more accurate than this last one and moreover it comes with a really completed PE fret. To be honest this model has a quite difficult zones, we have to work with: surely the connection between the lower and upper hull is not simply and linear, so I had to use a large amount of putty, but at the end evrything took its right place.
As told you the hull is almost finished, so I'll post in this topic all the pics of the modifications I made until now.
The hull connection
Brass rod inside each axle, 'cause the model is really heavy
I decided to replace the front original resin mudguards with some new scratch coming from a thin brass foil in order to have a better scale effect and to be able to "damage" one of them. Here they are.
Right
Left
I also added a pletora of rivets on each tank side. The Legend Merkava IV misses them but it's not a mistake, as you can have two kinds, with or without. The Academy one shows these rivets, so I decided to add them as seen on many Merkava IV in Cast Lead Op.
The antislip layer. I added it with the same procedure of the Baz: hairspray and powder to sandblast metals over. The real new (better) difference is the grain: 180 micron of the Baz versus 110 for the Merkava IV and the scale effect is really respected this way, I think.
Hull handles: I decided to replace all the moulded over handles with new ones from thin steel wire, trying to modify the original position for a better looking appearance.
Side armour panels. I'll try to explain you this modification. My Legend box is the newest or what they call LIC. You can find inside a different kind of side armour panels than the previous Legend Merkava IV model. To better understand, please have a look to this pic: this is the type of panels I'm speaking about
As you can see the panels, from the first to the last, are all equal.
And that is what I had to fix on the model.
So I decided to have a different Merkava, doing a mix, in order to obtain this kind of tank: flat panels except the last one that has an antiRPG grille.
The real one.
and mine
This was the original look of that zone of the model
the real Merkava hasn't those rectangular hollow spaces, so i filled them as per this pic
the model once again
About side armour panels again. The first panels from each side are wrong. This is what Legend offers.
that is really different from this
so I made a surgery work, using the last panel, that one replaced from the SLAT, cutting it into two parts and cementing to the half from the first panel: I know, it's difficult (for me) to explain, so these pics work better than my attempt of explanation
the final look
Rear hull baskets. This is the basket from the Legend Merkava.
I decided to scratch it. But replacing it with a different type. This is the pic that was inspiring to me.
And these the pics of my work, just one at the moment
the supports
The last improvement of the hull. I decided to add this device: it's a pair of horns to towing cables, many Merkavas (IIB IID III IV) showed in Cast Lead.
I made some resin copies (for further projects) of my plastic master
the chain is temporary fixed
I think it's enough and excuse me if I posted these pics all together.
Advices and comments from you will be much appreciated.
Thank all of you.
Cheers.
