I first saw the Tamiya Merkava kit way back in 1985. I was at annual training with a New Jersey National Guard unit and I went into Watertown, NY and found a local hobby shop. I picked up the original Tamiya M1 instead (still have that kit!). Any way, I was never really interested in a Merkava until conversing with Paulo on this site and watching some of the recent footage on TV. I traded for an Academy Merkava II (#1347) with someone on Hyperscale for a couple of planes (Monogram C-47 and B-25J for the Merk & a Leo 2).

Looks to be a nice kit, any hints in building it? I also saw an Academy KMT-4 mine roller for auction, was this type of mine roller used on the Merk II? Also any "must haves" to build this kit properly? I did grab the IDF crew that Matt offered up for sale here since this thing only had 1 crewmember.

Thanks again,

Rob

I just finishing an IDF M60A3 with the Kmt-4 on it. I have'nt seen any pics with
the K being on the MERK. But if merk has a good flat front slope it might work

ponysoldier

Hiya Rob. I just finished building the kit. It is fine and can be done OOB. However I added nonslip coating. If interested I can explain the technique. I've already posted some photos in the Diorama album under Shalom/Salam, but will post some single close ups tonight or tommorrow.

Cheers,

Jack OOD

I have had the Merkava III for about 3 years now, and still waiting for God knows what to build it.

I was able to locate some pics of the finished model Merk II...inspirational at least:
http://204.50.25.179/gallery01/merkavaiifd_1.htm

Here's an IDF modelers page:

http://idfmodelling.free.fr/index.html

This one needs a translation from Swedish...I think:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ipms/pim/merkava.html

...and here's one more (no need to translate)

http://www.greatmodels.com/main/Reviews/981005.htm

I wish I could help you more Rob. Just ask Paulo, as I'm sure he know a thing or two.

Hey Rob!
That´s the way to go!
If you read the article I wrote here in Armorama, about the Tamiya kit you can visualize some of the work you gonna ahead, they´re more or less the same model....
And as Jack said, the nonslid coat is a must and it´s very easy to do...
If you´d like any other tips, just ask me!
Good hunt

On the kit on Link Meister's first listing, the Merkava II has the ball & chain around the turret bustle. I know the white metal parts come with the Merkava 3, and I'm smart enough to figure out that it would be an easy upgrade for the actual vehicles, but are these dingle-dangles available separately for me to add to my Merk II? I just think it looks neat.

And am I reading right in that a KMT-4 mine roller can be added to the Merk II?

TIA

Rob, here is a link that references the KMT-4 roller and Merk II as a kit. Hope this helps.

http://sahobby.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SAHSI&Product_Code=ACY1359

Anthony

OK, Thank you Anthony.

Next question, I just won the KMT-4 mine roller (Academy sprues from some IDF kit), does anyone have a copy of the instructions to the roller that they could scan and e-mail, photocopy and mail or fax?

Rob, since I'm throwing out links, here's one more with the mine roller installed.

http://www.academyhobby.com/afv/ta975/ta975e.html

Anthony

Yes there are two sets of Ball & Chains for the Merkava that you can buy seperately. Royal Model set #053 and Airwaves set #3507. Both sets supposedly work for the Merkava I and II.

HTH

Jack--I am game for it. How do you make non skid paint?
thanks
DJ

You Know a few week ago I was looking at the pictures on the IDF Modeling site and saw something unusual concerning the Merk-IIIB with what appeared to be a bent barrel. And when I inquired about it. I never did receive a proper answer concerning it. Rob, You said that you saw them back in 85 up close. Have you ever seen one with it's barrel bent down at an odd angle sort of like a bent elbow?? In a few minutes I am going back to the IDF site mentioned above and take another look. From what I remember it was in the second group of pictures down, Center picture. Will let you know what I find after I go back and take another look at those pic's

DAGGER: WHEN SCIENCE FAILS BRUTE FORCE WIN'S

OKAY; Here's the update: the picture is on the idfmodeling free.site Vehicle Reference Section, Merkava-III A middle picture by Thomas Antonsen. Does the barrel look bent to you??

DAGGER: "WHEN SCIENCE FAILS, BRUTE FORCE WINS"

Yes, but I think that it is a trick of the angle. I have a feeling that what looks like the gun barrel right behind the bore evacuator is actually part of the turret. What do you think of this hypothesis???

Dagger, If the picture you are refering to is the one with the crane in the back holding the engine, then this tank has the turret to the side and the main gun depressed below 0 degrees elevation usually for cleaning(punching) the main gun. Most tanks are capable of this for us short folk :-) .

Anthony

Sorry Dagger, Did not mean to insult you. I was looking at the wrong picture. I think there is something on the side of the turret that is giving that look.

Anthony

No, The tank is sitting in the middle of a street. As if it is waiting to move into another fighting position. I think there is someone standing in front of it.

DAGGER: WHEN SCIENCE FAILS, BRUTE FORCE WINS

No problem Relic Hunter no insult taken: I just never seen anything like that on a tank. And perhaps it is just a camera trick. It just looked odd to me and wanted to see if I was the only one to notice it.

DAGGER :" WHEN SCIENCE FAILS, BRUTE FORCE WINS"

I look at that same picture earlier this morning and never noticed it. Good eye!

OKAY upon closer look it appears to be on display at a armor show, I would guess some where in it's home country.

DAGGER-1

No, I saw the kit first in 1985, I haven't seen the photo you mention. Got a link?

Sorry Rob: Go back to page one 4th post down: Second site listed i.e. IDF Free modeling.

DAGGER-1 : "WHEN SCIENCE FAILS, BRUTE FORCE WINS"

Rob--I just sent Jim a copy of a Merkava I think you might interesting for a diorama setting. He should post it shortly.
DJ

Folks--Jim kindly posted the photo I have of a Merkava. It's in the reference photo section under Israeli. After viewing it, you might pose the question, "boy, am I glad I am not doing the report of survey on that hummer."
Enjoy.
DJ

Anyone know where to get the ball & chain armor? I couldn't find it in my travels this weekend.

If it is that photo of the tank standing on its nose, I think they are extremely lucky that it didn't land on the turret roof. Just as easily could be a M1 or Brad at NTC!

BTW in the photo of the tank on the Jeep, you probably know my old battalion commander who did something similar to an OC's Hummer at Hohenfels.