I acquired the Tamiya Merkava in a trade. I'd like to build it as close to out of box as possible. That being said, are there any minor tweaks this kit needs to be built into an accurate Merkava? I like the clean, "sports car" look of the Tamiya Merkava (as opposed to the clunky uparmored Merkava II or III). I want to avoid making it look like a "gypsy wagon" or like a tank rolling into combat.

My Merkava references are nil, and I have seen the Eduard PE set (35574) on their site for $30. I think I'll pass that one by since I'm not looking into sinking much money into this kit.

Sabot the kit from tamiya is accurate right out of the box. Our first Merkavot were a really unfinnished project. the earliest ones had no Ball and chain or spacing on the Bazooka sheilds. May units left the shield off because of mud accumulation problems. early units only had the TC mounted MAg and not even teh >50 over the barrel. Markings swere sraight forward chevrons and id number marybe some hadBatttalion symbols . but teh first merks went to the 7th brigade.