Hey all, looking at having one built soon. But before I go ahead with the commission I'm just wondering how accurate are the kits. Specifically the IV LIC version.

The only real after market parts I'm after are the Friul tracks, as I like the added weight and feel. But I've seen there are a fair few kits available and I'm at a loss to which will be needed and etc.

Any Help and responses are appreciated.

Thanks for looking,
Chris.

I believe the Academy 1/35 Mk IV is supposed to be the good one.
Legend makes a lot of update and conversion sets for the Merkava series, but I don't know anything about their accuracy.

I know you have to replicate your own anti slip coating on the Merkava, I have been informed it is not that hard to do but I have my doubts about just how easy it is supposed to be. By that I mean while putting a sand like texture on a model may be easy, getting it to look in scale and in the correct places and density sure does not sound or look easy to me.

What I gathered is that Academy used the same information as Legend used for the Merkava Mk4.

I did the Academy Merkava with the LIC set for SMMI a while ago and it does need a bit of tweaking but I find the quality consistency of a styrene model way better that that of a resin kit (have a few of Legend's kits).

As for the anti-sip coating, this is easy to do. Using embossing powder and hairspray you can get a good scale anti-sip coating.

One of the after market sets I would recommend is the covered-up baskets from legend. Almost all the photos of Merkavas I have seen have them covered.

And the ball and chains are also best replaced. They are supplied in the kit but the chain is PE and the balls are two half balls that have to be super glued to the PE. The Legend set is a good substitute for that.

But those are my two cents.

Cheers

Jan-Willem

Hmm, I think the question I should have asked would be:

Which of the two manufacturers are the best value for detail provided and etc, Academy or Legends?

And, Am I too assume the Legends Resin Bustle, LIC and ball and chain kits will work with the Academy kit?

The resin Bustle, LIC and ball and chain sets will fit the Academy Merkava. Only thing is that the side skirts from the LIC set need reworking to make them fit the Academy hull.

I personally would choose the Academy kit for best value for detail provided and etc.

But if you can wait, Hobby Boss should be releasing their Merkava any time now. From the few tests shots I saw it could be even better then the Academy one.

JW

Ah ha, exactly what I was after. Well, I wouldn't be commissioning the build until at least October. So heres, hoping its out before then. If not, Academy with upgrades should work out cheaper then a resin in the long run. Labor wise at least.

Thanks Jan

Hi Chris,

Until someone qualified does a comparison review we won't know for sure which of the 2 kits are more accurate. What I do know is that Legend gets much or all of their info from Michael Mass - Lt Colonel Israeli Armored Corps Reserve Forces, Curator for the Museum in Latrun,etc..as well as behind the IDF armor series books. And.....Academy gets their IDF info from Legend.

I read that HB's Mk IV will arrive at Creative Models UK end 2010
Pics of their Mk IV https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/154904#1298244
I do not like the rubber though..

As for anti-slip texture, it can be created realistically enough by using the cast-a-coat system.. as on my MK IIB.
For whatever reason manufacturers leave out that surface detail..it's for the best IMHO..since the texture is indeed random and because it is DIY it allows us to depict the wearing-off the texture as on the real tanks as well.

Texture worn off..etc :
http://i36.tinypic.com/j5xpfm.jpg

Close up shot of texture :
http://data.primeportal.net/tanks/andre_patschke/merkava_mkiii/merkava_mkiii_13_of_37.JPG