Hi All,

I have a bunch of IDF vehicles that I've either started on or have yet to build, an Academy Merkava IV LIC, a Hobby Boss Merkava IV (which I probably own't use in a diorama due to the road wheel alignment problem), a Meng Merkava 3D, a Tamiya Merkava I, an AFV Club 1967 Shot Centurion, and an Academy Magach 6B Gal Batash. I would like to try my hand at my first diorama, using some of these vehicles. Any ideas, using one of several of these tanks together? I'm sure i could pick some form the many books I have, but wondering if anyone has a particularly interesting locale with these vehicles that might be worth pursuing.

THe only setting that I can think of that might have this combination of vehicles would be the museum at Latrun.

A Merk I, Shot and a Magach, they've all been retired, I believe

IIID's and IV's are serving together since the latter entered service (2004).
The IIID and the 6B could be displayed together too, as the former entered service in '90, and latter left in 2004.
The Merkava I could only be displayed together with a Shot Kal Gimel (during the '82 Lebanon War for example), not with an early Shot Meteor.
Another (rather interesting) option is displaying the 6B and the IV (not the LIC version though) together during the transition ceremony of the 401st Brigade in 2004.
The Merkava I as monument or '67 Shot as a monument/wreck can be combined with any of the above.

A Shot't wreck on the Golan Heights. I've passed by it many times with tank, car, quad, and even on foot...



Here's another one at the "Valley of Tears", Golan Heights.





And yet another...



...and more and more...









A Sho't as a gate guard at Shizafon Armor School...



...and as a monument.



All these are later Sho'ts, but you know...I'm sure there are quite many Sho't wrecks of all variants scattered all around Israel, especially on the Golan Heights and in the Negev Desert...
Hope that helped,
Israel

Did I mention there are more...?

Yet another one as a gate guard (monument?).

Wow...those photos are all great! Thank you so much! I now have a large number of pictures to use as guidance in case I want to do a destroyed IDF tank diorama. That would, absolutely, challenge my limited skills!

However, and I should have made myself clearer, was that I was thinking about a diorama of one or two of the tanks in my original post, with both of the tanks in an active, operational role, in my diorama. To Israel, you did provide me several options for that, and I am thankful!

However, I found your comment about "the transition ceremony of the 401st Brigade in 2004" interesting. I made an attempt to find some images of that transition, and was unsuccessful. I don't expect you to do all my work for me , but wondering if you would point me to more information about this transition. I like the idea of 6B and the IV together, given the wide disparity in technology. Are we talking about these tanks side by side on an asphalt or concrete roadway, such as in a parade, or other situation? Again, any pointers to photos would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. As for now I don't have any pictures, but I'll try to dig up some. Knowing IDF customs, I'm sure that during the final transition ceremony both tanks were displayed, probably side by side, or one in front of the other. In that case, you can keep the weathering to minimum; I'm sure both vehicles were in mint condition.

Ah, I see. I'm sure I can make up something, but if you can find any photos, that would be fantastic. Thank you again for the idea!

Here you'll find some (quiet old) pictures featuring the Magach 6, including a few shots at a ceremony. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%97/interesting/

Three different kind of IDF hardware in the same picture during a ceremony: a Magach 6B in the foreground followed by a Magach 7, and a Merkava II in the background.

During Independence Day, many bases open their gates to the public, displaying their stuff. You could easily couple up a 6B and a III, or a III and a IV in such scenario. This picture was taken during Independence Day in the Armored Corps museum in Latrun. You get the picture...Just make sure you use plenty of flags.



A Merkava IV during an open day.

Israel: Thanks a bunch! Those are great pictures! I wanted to see what condition those tanks were in when on display. I figured them to be in really good shape, so now I'll have the challenge of building the tanks for the diorama with no sloppy techniques, knowing I won't get to cover up any errors with weathering Seriously, though, thank you so much for these images. It gives me something to go on, from reality!

No problem. Let me know if you need further help.