Hi to everyone,
this is my first build review/log here. I am interested on all IDF subjects and modern tanks and wheeled vehicles.
This is my test-build before i get into the IDF universe. To get warm with some new stuff like photo etch and scratching and almost everything, i started with the old Tamya kit, eduard photo etch set and Panzer Art wheels to build a Merkava I. The model isn`t 100% correct, my focus was to use the etch set and scratch some parts. Also to get some experience with the IDF colors.
Some general impressions from the build process.





Used some of the photo etch parts and some missing things where scratch made

This picture inspired me to attach a Cal.50 with scratch mount.

Here the base color is applied and detail painting started.





I haven`t planned to do a build log, so there are no step by step pics.

Nice work!

Begin of the weathering process.
Started with the tracks

First pin wash on the hull, i started carefully because i don`t have that much experience.

Then i started to use some techniques i read about in books and magazines. With trying out all this new stuff the fun started. It toked very long to get to this point, because i do everything real carefully and slow. That is the look at the moment, i am happy with it. Remarks and comments are welcome.






It is still along way to go, but it is nice to see the progress and tryout a lot of things.
Cheers Christoph

Looks really good Lazarus. The chipping and weathering are really well done. Subtle but not too subtle. Cant wait to see how it progresses. Cheers.

Nice work Christpoh you CAN be happy with it so far.

Keep on the good job,
Olivier

Thanks for the kind words guys. I am very keen(?) myself how it goes on.

Cheers

Very nice. I really like the color. Kudos for drilling out all those lightening holes in the idler. I know from experience how tedious that is. Or dd you "borrow" them from another kit? I agre about te weathering - just right.

What colours and from which company did you use to paint it?

Hi,try to answer the questions.
@Robert, i did not drill out by myself, i used this set.
Panzer Art, RE35-011 Wheels for Izraeli MBT Tank Merkava I
You get correct resin replacement wheels, all wheels.


@IronWarriorsVorax, colors i have used:
Acrylic colors were used to paint the tank.
Enamel products for weathering.
Games Workshop/Citadel Black primer.
Base color applied with airbrush,IDF Sandgrey 1. After it was dried it looked not correct,more like an American tank in desert color. I painted over with Israeli Sandgrey 1982. When the color is on and dried it looks still a little bit bright, but i thought it`s ok, will get darker with the washings.Then i painted some areas in different colors, have used the paints on picture.

All Lifecolor, the pot on the left is a single one, the other 3 you get in set with 3 different pots of pigments.

For the washing and weathering i used AK Interactive enamel products. Was not sure which washing looks good.
I used these:
AK 121 OIF&OEF wash
AK 066 DAK vehicles wash
AK 045 dark brown wash
My favourite is the OIF wash.

For detail painting different Acrylic paints, Citadel and Vallejo. Red, black, green, metallic nothing special.

For the scratches a bright sand color, applied first by brush or sponge(used both techniques), and then painted by brush Vallejo 70.995 German Grey into the bright sand.

AK streaking effects for rust and dirt.

Thats it so far.
Hope i answered your questions.

Cheers Christoph

Thank you for that detailed list.
Was there any particular place you bought the products from?

I will be sure to post up a new thread of my one.

No problem
Citadel products i get from the local Games Workshop store. In England you have a lot of them. The other products i bought in several web shops, i have no big hobby store close to the area i live. I can`t remember what i bought where, but mostly i order in Germany at this shop:
http://www.dersockelshop.de/
They are pretty fast and i never had problems with something.
Would be nice to see your project soon.

Cheers Christoph

Thanks for the link.
I am hoping to have my Merkava done by the beginning of January.

I will be happy when i finish mine before 2015:)

But it will look awesome when it is.
Would you suggest I buy the metal replacement tracks for the Merkava?

I hope so. About the tracks, the rubber tracks who comes with the kit looks good. Perhaps i made some beginner mistakes with the handling. Painted them not attached, when i put them on, on some places the paint drops off. Was not really happy with that.
I decided to use the metal tracks of two reasons.
1) Never used before, i wanted to try.
2) Handling and painting is really easy.
It is not necessary to buy the Friul tracks.Same with the wheels, you can use the the kit wheels with some corrections. On the idler wheels you have to drill some holes, at the sprockets you have to cut out these triangular "holes". The road wheels looking correct with the 3 small holes. I am not a rivet counter, if i can do something to make it look correct i try to do it. if my skills are not good enough, i leave it or buy it if possible. Blitzkrieg has a corrected wheels set too, i am not sure if there is only the corrected sprocket or it comes with corrected idlers too. You have to check if you are interested on.

Cheers

For my first one I think I will stick with the rubber tracks but on later ones I might switch to the metal ones.

You are making this look a 'Real Mean'machine, well done...cheers....Kenny

Coming along very nicely!

Hope everybody had a good start into the new year.
Thanks for the kind words guys, try to make some progress and post asap.
Happy new year to everyone, cheers Christoph

Doesn't Merkava Mk 1 use the same tracks as Centurion?

No, but Centurion based vehicles started using Merkava components.