Hey All,

I have the Academy Merkava IV LIC (13227). I want to know how much different this kit is from the regular Merkava IV (13213). I also have the Hobby Boss Merkava IV, for which I bought all the aftermarket photo etch stuff, before I realized all the accuracy issues there are with the HB kit. I want to build a 'regular' Merkava IV (non-LIC) but it seems like the 13213 kit is almost impossible to find at the moment. So, a few questions.

* Is 13213 out of production?
* If I get all the photo etch goodies for the 13213 kit, will they fit on the 13227?
* Can I build a non-LIC version out of the 13227 kit?
* If so, what will I need to do?

The 13213 is difficult to find and i suppose that Academy stopped it's production because basically is the same kit with the 13227 (LIC). The LIC version has the exact same sprues with the basic version plus sprue F and some further PE parts for the LIC parts. So a non-LIC version from the 13227 is easy to made. For further help see the following links with the instructions and parts of the two versions:
http://www.model-making.eu/products/Merkava-Mk.-IV.html
http://www.model-making.eu/products/MERKAVA-Mk.IV-LIC.html

i have the 13213 kit in my stash and will be glad to swap it for the LIC version. PM me if interested...

Given what Aristeidis said, I'd stick with LIC version and build a regular out of it. Also IIRC, the LIC Mk. IV has molded on anti-slip coating whereas regular version does not have it.

Cheers,
Greg

Thanks, guys. Cool answers...I wasn't sure if I would be able to use the LIC to 'back-build' into the 'regular' IV. But looks like I can, and have the built-in anti-slip, too. Many thanks!