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Armor/AFV: IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]
Armor and AFVs of the IDF army from 1947-today.
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Best Merkava IV kit?
HermannB
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
Armorama: 4,067 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2014 - 03:06 AM UTC
Hi Guys,
which of the two Merkava IV kits is better? Academy or HobbyBoss?
Thanks
H.-H.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2014 - 03:10 AM UTC
Hobbyboss has a accuracy issue with the lower hull road arms--they are offset instead of directly across from each other. I have built the Academy one...it's pretty good as far as fit. Details seem a little softer than the Hobbyboss one but not bad. The original Academy one needs the anti-slip. The LIC one has it molded in as does the HB one.
system
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: November 24, 2008
KitMaker: 364 posts
Armorama: 363 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2014 - 05:51 AM UTC
To my eye, the HobbyBoss kit is a mess accuracy-wise. Not just the staggered suspension, but the ride height, road wheel spacing, turret shape all look off, plus a whole bunch of detail issues (e.g. sprockets with too many lightening holes and too many teeth). I'd go with Academy's LIC - it's missing a few details, but basically very nice.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2014 - 05:58 AM UTC
Sounds like the HB Merkava IIID- that one's turret shape is all out of whack too
trakpin
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Nova Scotia, Canada
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
Armorama: 639 posts
Posted: Friday, August 01, 2014 - 11:23 PM UTC
go with the academy. it has parts for a non-LIC version. not sure what the part # is, but it replaces LIC part #F4 for the loaders hatch. for it to fit, tho, you'll have to do a bit of minor surgery to remove the molded on locating bits. loaders hatch parts F12, 14 and 20 are also not used for a non-LIC
retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Friday, August 01, 2014 - 11:28 PM UTC
I know nothing about Merkavas, but it sounds like you could kit bash the HB lower hull with the Academy kit.?
system
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: November 24, 2008
KitMaker: 364 posts
Armorama: 363 posts
Posted: Friday, August 01, 2014 - 11:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I know nothing about Merkavas, but it sounds like you could kit bash the HB lower hull with the Academy kit.?


I don't think that would improve matters - the HB lower hull is a lot of the problem.

I bought the HB kit when it first came out thinking the suspension goof was the only problem. A couple of depressing hours with Michael Mass's excellent Merkava 4 book later made it clear that far from being a one-off mistake, the whole kit was riddled with both dimensional and detail issues. That said, it has some nice details and certainly looks like a Merkava.
tanknick22
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United States
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Friday, August 01, 2014 - 11:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hobbyboss has a accuracy issue with the lower hull road arms--they are offset instead of directly across from each other. I have built the Academy one...it's pretty good as far as fit. Details seem a little softer than the Hobbyboss one but not bad. The original Academy one needs the anti-slip. The LIC one has it molded in as does the HB one.


Road wheel arms are supposed to be offest because the the torison bar is anchored on the opposite side
rob_pollock
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: September 18, 2012
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 49 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2014 - 12:18 AM UTC
I built the Academy IV LIC two months ago, with a Voyager upgrade set. I hadn't compared it to the HB version directly, only read a few reviews and went with Academy. It turned out really well, I think, but as you know it's a complex build anyway so expect to be pushed through your paces.

The Desert Eagle Publishing book on the 'Siman 4' was more help than anything, considering I too knew little about the tank beforehand.
hugohuertas
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Joined: January 26, 2007
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
Armorama: 1,013 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2014 - 01:10 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Hobbyboss has a accuracy issue with the lower hull road arms--they are offset instead of directly across from each other. I have built the Academy one...it's pretty good as far as fit. Details seem a little softer than the Hobbyboss one but not bad. The original Academy one needs the anti-slip. The LIC one has it molded in as does the HB one.


Road wheel arms are supposed to be offest because the the torison bar is anchored on the opposite side


No, they are not in this case
Merkava IV does not have torsion bars, that's why the staggered suspension is a mistake
zorrolobo
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Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2014 - 06:20 AM UTC
I also built Academy´s last year with a legend upgrade and loved it:



Here is the link to the build thread on Armorama:
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/212816#1787977

Link to finished pictures:
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/213516#1794030
system
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: November 24, 2008
KitMaker: 364 posts
Armorama: 363 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2014 - 07:46 AM UTC
Nice build! I missed that first time around.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2014 - 10:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I also built Academy´s last year with a legend upgrade and loved it:



Here is the link to the build thread on Armorama:
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/212816#1787977

Link to finished pictures:
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/213516#1794030

That's really nice!
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