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REVIEW
Meng Merkava Mk.3D Early
c5flies
Joined: October 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,684 posts
Armorama: 2,938 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 01:05 PM UTC
Damon Burke takes a look inside the box of the Merkava Mk.3D Early, a new release from Meng Models.
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If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
Link to Item
If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 06:58 PM UTC
Many thanks for the incredibly exhausting review Damon.
I bought this kit about 3 weeks ago. At a first glance, It looks quite impressive
I think you're right about the gun. No matter if it's made in plastic, the problem is that there are too many pieces. That could create some aligment problems.
Regarding the anti slip surfaces, I think that is far more realistic reproducing them with baking soda and Mr surfacer rather than having some rough raised details on the kit. I might be wrong, but I suspect that plastic technology doesn't allow yet to have a good reproduction of them.
Yes, probably a PE fret isn't indispensable but considering that the kit is quite expensive, it would have been nice to have some finer details provided as an alternative to plastic parts.
Anyway it looks like a top notch kit. Now I can't wait for their T-90 family
cheers
I bought this kit about 3 weeks ago. At a first glance, It looks quite impressive
I think you're right about the gun. No matter if it's made in plastic, the problem is that there are too many pieces. That could create some aligment problems.
Regarding the anti slip surfaces, I think that is far more realistic reproducing them with baking soda and Mr surfacer rather than having some rough raised details on the kit. I might be wrong, but I suspect that plastic technology doesn't allow yet to have a good reproduction of them.
Yes, probably a PE fret isn't indispensable but considering that the kit is quite expensive, it would have been nice to have some finer details provided as an alternative to plastic parts.
Anyway it looks like a top notch kit. Now I can't wait for their T-90 family
cheers
Maki
Senior Editor
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 07:22 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Regarding the anti slip surfaces, I think that is far more realistic reproducing them with baking soda and Mr surfacer rather than having some rough raised details on the kit.
I absolutely agree with you. Far more realistic results with adding anti-slip on IDF vehicles yourself... the texture grain is not as fine and uniform as with US vehicles, so it is very hard to reproduce it in plastic.
I'm wondering about the plastic ball and chain. It is supposed to save quite a lot of nerves of an average modeler, but in my opinion, it still looks a bit artificial .
Mario
cagkancakir
Joined: April 28, 2011
KitMaker: 434 posts
Armorama: 409 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 07:50 PM UTC
Thanks for the review Damon, it's very detailed.
I have the kit and I completely agree with you, Mauro and Mario..
It is a GREAT kit and only has two issues I think, first is the main gun and the second is the ball & chain. The kit has too many parts for the main gun, this could be very problematic, I'm thinking to use an aftermarket aluminium barrel (someone will release anyway) or a resin one (I have one already). For the ball & chain, I agree with Mario, despite the quality, molded ball & chain will look very artificial, Voyager has released an aftermarket upgrade already for this kit and it looks quite good.
I will add anti-slip with hairspray & fine sand & primer trio...
CC
I have the kit and I completely agree with you, Mauro and Mario..
It is a GREAT kit and only has two issues I think, first is the main gun and the second is the ball & chain. The kit has too many parts for the main gun, this could be very problematic, I'm thinking to use an aftermarket aluminium barrel (someone will release anyway) or a resin one (I have one already). For the ball & chain, I agree with Mario, despite the quality, molded ball & chain will look very artificial, Voyager has released an aftermarket upgrade already for this kit and it looks quite good.
I will add anti-slip with hairspray & fine sand & primer trio...
CC
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 07:51 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm wondering about the plastic ball and chain. It is supposed to save quite a lot of nerves of an average modeler, but in my opinion, it still looks a bit artificial .
Yes,I agree, chains look too thick, but I suspect that it couldn't be reproduced in a better way.
Regarding the surfaces, that's a problem which companies seem not to understand. Not having a detail is better than having an ugly one raised on the kit. So for example in softskin models, it' s better not having any windscreen wipers rather than having them molded on the screen. A hole on an engine deck is better than a solid molded grill, especially if the grill isn't fine enough
(Hi Cagkan...what about your T-80?
)cagkancakir
Joined: April 28, 2011
KitMaker: 434 posts
Armorama: 409 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 08:15 PM UTC
Quoted Text
(Hi Cagkan...what about your T-80?
Hi Mauro, I'm back in business, I posted something yesterday and I will post an update in a few days
..How will you add an anti-slip to Merkavas? I am kinda obsessed anti-slip methods, trying to find best one
...CC
Maki
Senior EditorJoined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 08:34 PM UTC
Quoted Text
How will you add an anti-slip to Merkavas? I am kinda obsessed anti-slip methods, trying to find best one
I like the results Ryan got on his Puma. Here is what he uses: link
Mario
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 08:47 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
(Hi Cagkan...what about your T-80?
Hi Mauro, I'm back in business, I posted something yesterday and I will post an update in a few days
How will you add an anti-slip to Merkavas? I am kinda obsessed anti-slip methods, trying to find best one
CC
I've missed your update!
For the anti slip I haven't decided yet but I tink I'll use baking soda and maybe a thin coat of Mr surfacer.
Anyway I've read about some other interesting techniques
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/193678&page=1
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/137727
I've also found out that Polyfilla Flexible Gap Filler grips on plastic surfaces and leave on them a rough layer which looks quite close to the effect which I'd like to achieve.
I'll have to make some trials before
Mario, many thanks for the link
cagkancakir
Joined: April 28, 2011
KitMaker: 434 posts
Armorama: 409 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 09:00 PM UTC
In my opinion, Guido Adorno's method is the best and correct scaled one, I will try to do something like that..
And I have to admit that we are lucky, because Meng and Michael Mass chose to not include an anti-slip surface on this great kit, it would be very artificial. Merkava's surface is very uneven as Mario pointed.
CC
And I have to admit that we are lucky, because Meng and Michael Mass chose to not include an anti-slip surface on this great kit, it would be very artificial. Merkava's surface is very uneven as Mario pointed.
CC
seb43
Joined: August 30, 2005
KitMaker: 2,315 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 12:10 AM UTC
Cool review Damon
I like the style and really appreciate your comments on the kit.
So this kit will be an All-Star ????:D
Cheers
Seb
I like the style and really appreciate your comments on the kit.
So this kit will be an All-Star ????:D
Cheers
Seb
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 06:09 AM UTC
Excellent review, Damon.
Actually, it looks to my eyes as though it's Chinese, English and Japanese (in that order), but I can't tell precisely from the photo.
Quoted Text
The instructions are written in English and what I assume is Chinese.
Actually, it looks to my eyes as though it's Chinese, English and Japanese (in that order), but I can't tell precisely from the photo.
PantherF
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
Armorama: 5,960 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 09:50 AM UTC
Yes, excellent review. This along with the "Cracking the Box" video review tells you everything you need to know about this release!
And the sprue shots are very nice too.
Thanks!
~ Jeff
And the sprue shots are very nice too.
Thanks!
~ Jeff
arpikaszabo
Joined: February 13, 2006
KitMaker: 674 posts
Armorama: 637 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 11:18 AM UTC
This is definitely one of the best modern armor kits on the market. I might buy another one.
didgeboy
Joined: September 21, 2010
KitMaker: 1,846 posts
Armorama: 1,509 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 03:45 PM UTC
It was loads of fun to review! Thanks to everyone at Armorama and Meng for the chance to do it. Thank you all for the kind comments.
ejasonk
Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 314 posts
Armorama: 226 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 06:44 PM UTC
Looks good.
And now it's time for the T-90 from Meng
And now it's time for the T-90 from Meng
Bearwoods
Joined: June 29, 2012
KitMaker: 3 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 05:42 PM UTC
I have one, more than 700 kits, looks nice and glossy, and the introduction is clear and definite, not so hard to build up 
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 05:52 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextRegarding the anti slip surfaces, I think that is far more realistic reproducing them with baking soda and Mr surfacer rather than having some rough raised details on the kit.
I absolutely agree with you. Far more realistic results with adding anti-slip on IDF vehicles yourself... the texture grain is not as fine and uniform as with US vehicles, so it is very hard to reproduce it in plastic.
I'm wondering about the plastic ball and chain. It is supposed to save quite a lot of nerves of an average modeler, but in my opinion, it still looks a bit artificial .
Mario
On the subject of anti slip coating I am not to bothered about why it is not replicated but if it should be there I feel a few drawings showing the correct pattern would be a big plus.
Maki
Senior EditorJoined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 08:26 PM UTC
Quoted Text
On the subject of anti slip coating I am not to bothered about why it is not replicated but if it should be there I feel a few drawings showing the correct pattern would be a big plus.
IDF-modelling forum is currently hosting a Merkava 3D group build. People there are very helpful with providing info on IDF related questions.
Mario
ninjrk
Joined: January 26, 2006
KitMaker: 1,381 posts
Armorama: 1,347 posts
Posted: Friday, June 29, 2012 - 02:13 AM UTC
No kidding! And the tortoise come to that. . .
Matt
Matt
CrazyDavid
Joined: May 29, 2012
KitMaker: 7 posts
Armorama: 6 posts
Posted: Monday, July 02, 2012 - 07:15 PM UTC
The languages are respectively Traditional Chinese, English and Japanese。
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