Hi,
Here are a few pics of what I've started in Feb 2010 and is finally completed. Out of box build with some minor details added and non slip texture made from beach sand from Zanzibar Am think of making a street base for it if I am in the mood.
Cheers
Lee

They look great Lee !!
The last pic has a 2nd tank, also from Academy ?

Do you have some in progress pics too ?

Real nice builds you have there !!

Hi John,
Thanks. The other is an Acedemy Merk 3 which was posted quite sometime back at https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/132823#1103828. Just installed the antennas on it together with the Merk 4.
Will organise some prog pics & post them later.
Cheers
Lee

HI there.

Your Merk is very nice...

Hope to be able to meet you one day and learn from you.

Cheers!!

Lee,

Those Merks look really good. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

John

Great job there!!!

Very impressive. Having built the tank myself I especially admire your antislip coating (would love to see some details on how you did that) and the ball and chain.
Also: where is the figure from?

Congratulations on an oustanding build.

Hello TLee,

This is a beautiful and looks like a real model.
You managed to bring the model's finish to the degree of the exact look ..

Two monor remarks that are not lowering the degree of your finish:
1. There is no Uzi sub-machine gun in service for so many years. AR15 or M4 flat top are better...
2. There are 3 types of markings that are a no-go one with the other.

20 Gimel cannot go with the Chevron and the 3Alef.
You'll better replace the 20Gimel with a large 3Alef

with best regards
Michael Mass

Great technique for making no-slip surface. I have heard that the ball&chain are dificult pieces to assemble and attach. Excellent finish!

Hi Micheal,

Thanks for the feedback. I assume the 20 Gimel are the 3 "boards" on the turret basket. Can you show me how does a "3 Alef" looks like?

Cheers
Lee

Wow! I that has to be the best Merk iv'e seen in some time. Top Job!

T Lee,

The insignia is a mix.

If left front fender shows the number 1, it means the tank belongs to the 1st Battalion, so it cannot have three straps on the barrel, indicating it is belonging to the 3rd battalion.
If it is marked 20Gimel on the basket, it cannot have a Chevron, and cannot have 1Alef on front right fender.

What I recommend:

- Leave the 3 straps on the gun barrel.
- Add the number 3 to the center of rectangular on front left fender.
- Change the markings on the 3 sides of turret's basket to same like front right fender, 1 Alef.

Your model is beautiful without these corrections any how.

Michael Mass

Thanks to Micheal, some corrections were made & here r a few close-up pics. In fact I've a book on IDF markings but did not refer to it & simply follow the Academy markings which seems to be guess works.



Will compile some in progress pics next.
Thanks for all your kind comments.
Cheers
Lee

Greetings from Tanzania again,
Here’s what I’ve done.
1 Anti Slip coating (done panel by panel)
a. Model primed to assist in white glue bonding
b. White glue heavily diluted with water n brushed onto surfaces.
c. Fine beach sand sprinkled on surface held vertically.
d. If sand does not bond evenly, leave it alone until white glue dry first n then touch up. If not, it will be disastrous. But can be washed off before white glue dry.
e. Prime the anti slip surface again n the paint will bond it permanently.
However, I did not border to use any masking for the above which I am sure will enhance the anti slip.

2 The TC is from Dragon’s IDF tank crew with his head sourced from Dragon’s modern US tank crew. Crew cut done by dabbing bald head with Mr Hobby surfacer.
3 Academy method of constructing the balls n chains is crazy. Instead, I trim the flat round end into thin strips to super glue them into the holes of the key chain metal balls.
4 Here's the in progress painting steps. The pics' colour seems to be affected by the lighting conditions n the white balance setting of my camera.


Cheers
Lee

[quote]
2 The TC is from Dragon’s IDF tank crew with his head sourced from Dragon’s modern US tank crew. Crew cut done by dabbing bald head with Mr Hobby surfacer.

Opps!The TC is actually from Academy IDF Tank Crew