Hello everyone.
My first post and my first model on this forum.
I would like to show you my Merkava Mk.IV. It’s Academy kit with small modifications (self-made anti slip surface, new chains which replacing made from PE parts from kit in this ball and chain armor).
For more attractive presentation of the model I decided to build diorama, which shows a piece of the bridge on the highway in no particular region of the Middle East, maybe near Israeli border… So it’s not depicting actual event.
It’s my first diorama, so I made a lot of experiments with techniques, bridge is made of wood, polystyrene and PCV.
Under the bridge is crashed technical made from Revell’s landrover.
Figure is from Legend Productions.
Time for photos:

















I hope you enjoy it.

PS Forgive me any errors in spelling or grammar, I do not know English very well.

Welcome to the forum Wojtek - and what a way to introduce yourself.

That's a FANTASTIC diorama that really shows off this impressive model, on which by the way you've done a brilliant job. The multiple levels add interest also.

What's your secret for the balls & chains? My Merkava IV build is almost complete, but it's stalled at that very problem. I don't like the kit-supplied solution at all, and I've tried other alternatives including the Legend set but I just can't seem to get it right.

Hope you stick around and share more of your work. Thanks for sharing this one. And your English is fine.

- Steve

I have modified what the Academy gave in the kit:
In each PE part I cut off this flat chain, leaving only this parts which were attached to basket. I bought a small chain produced by RB Model and I had divided into pieces of suitable length, balls are from kit (I had glue together this small hemispheres), I glued pieces of chains witch this balls and ready sets put together with modified PE parts from the kit.
For better explanation, photos taken during the assembly:



Not the easiest but the least expensive way to make this armor...
All clear?

Awesome work! I have the kit in my stash and thanks for the tip on ball and chains.

I'm glad you like it!
I spent two hard weeks with making this annoying chains, but it was worth final effect. It's alaways a problem with any version of Merkava...
Soon I show here my another models, like: Shilka from six-day-war, Stryker Mobile Gun System, Styryker TACP with slat armor...
bye

Fantastic work. The bridge looks great and I think the composition works too. The only thing I'd comment on is that the Tank Commanders hatch would likely be open if he had just gotten out, and who is he talking/yelling to?

Great work.

Michael

Hi Wojtek, Great dio,the different levels really make a great scene. Your English is fine. I would paint or at least weather the chain on the front of the tank. I am looking forward to your next project.......Vince

You are absolutely right with commanders hatch, it's closed because when I was building a tank I didn't plan to build diorama, tank was empty inside so I closed it. Glue holding it strongly, so I can't open it now...



Actualy I painted it, in yellow. I saw in that color in this picture:



Perhaps I should put on it more dirt and dust...

Thanks for suggestions!

Wow, that is such a beauty Your tip on the ball and chain is so fantastic!!! You are right about putting more dirt and dust for the bridge, the tank i think it's fine, painting and weathering is so good. Just 1 figure may not be enough, do you intend putting more figures?

Thank you for sharing your work with us, I'm looking forward to your next build

Hi Wojtek,

Welcome to the site - and what a first impression with your diorama! Superb Merkava IV, groundwork & structures and a great tip re the tricky ball & chain armour.

Look forward to seeing more of your stuff in the very near future.

Cheers!
Gary

Welcome to the site,fantastic work,especially your work on the ball + chain armor.Thanks for the visual instructions on that.

Hi Wojtek,
"Actualy I painted it, in yellow. I saw in that color in this picture:"
My mistake, the yellow seemed a little out of place. Sorry .....Vince.

I love it Wojtek.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Great work with the chain-ball system. And I specially like your terrain!!!!

Wow! Great diorama. I just order this Merkava and will have to try your technique for the ball and chain armor. Why is the one antenna white?

Terrific build, Wojtek! Avery keen assembly solution to the ball/chain step. Great looking diorama. I like it the way you have it. The Charriot is the star with a few accessories to enhance. Nothing to distract from the star.
Welcome and hope to see you here more often!
Cheers!
Rick

What an awesome job! Everything looks fantastic. The only thing I would watch for is the inside of the muzzle of the main gun. I would paint the inside black. That would hide the solid block inside the barrel.

Other than that, this is one great looking model. I really do like your version of the ball and chain armor. I also did my own ball and chain but I bet yours might be easier and look a little better.

That is one mean looking tank and just a fantastic piece.

That chain work is outstanding. Truly amazing.

Really nice Diorama.

I noticed antenna in this colour on pictures, I saw Merkavas with two types of antennas (smaller black and larger white) in different configurations. For example photo:

This was an outstading merkava dio. You have one more black sleeping bags than you rely need (Merkava's only have a five[5] man crew)an your antennas arn't tyed down to any thing,but still this is one of the best I have seen so far M8.

Opps my error that's not a sleeping bag it's some type of tool I guess, sorry for that M8.

very nice, i think the composition is exceptional, thanks for sharing

Welcome. Your tank model looks well built and painted
I think the two black antennas on each side of the front are actually clearance indicators for the driver, but I'm not sure on that

What did you use to make the pavement on the bridge?

You are right, but I wrote about radio antennas on turret, it's two types of it...



Sandpaper glued to the plywood, painted the color of asphalt and soiled with pigments.

Thanks fo comments!
Wojtek.

Hay " KoSprueOne" most merkavas use clearance indicators on all four corners. As you can see in both of ""Stroju's" real 1:1 photos. an now mine.


Some of those indicators seam to be cut short, this is because of battle damage.

wow I like idea of bridge what a good diorama