1808.


1809.


1810.


1811.



That looks like an experimental remote controlled M-113.
1812.


1813.


1814.


1815.


1816.

1817.


1818.

Nice Mk.4M walkaround:

1819.


1820.


1821.


1822.


1823.


1824.


1825.


1826.


1827.

1828.


1829.


1830.


1831.

#1762, #1768 (and some other ones too) - looks like an assembled cleaning rod attached to the left sponson; I see this feature a lot in recent photos of Mk.4s around Gaza.

That sits for the Merkava MBT series (at least for now). Let's continue with some of its derivatives, starting with the Ofek HAPC. The initial example(s) were based on the Mk.2 (can be seen on page #10), however, production series seem to be based on the Mk.3.

1832.


1833.


1834.


1835.


1836.


1837.

Hi ReluctantRenegade

and first of all Thanx for providing all the pic. They are a wealth of reverence and information. Invaluable. Your effort is highly appreciated.

I have the Trumpeters Merkava III-Model in scale 1:72 and the only pic of the Merkava III without additional turret armour I have seen is pic 1397. Rare seem to be as well turret variants where the side armour of the turret is screwed/riveted (with dots) instead of the smooth welded (?) appearance of almost all IIIs.
Do you know whether the III was used as well without upper turret armour for some time?

Cheers Michael

That looks like the very first Merkava Mk.3 variant called 'Ramach' (after the FCS installed in it). I'm not sure though whether this was the official designation when entering service or started to be called so later when the 'Baz' FCS equipped variant came out to differentiate it from the latter.

The variant with the additional armor on the turret-top called Mk.3B by some sources.
I believe all Mk.3 'Baz' variants (entered service in 1996) had them.




Indeed. The 188th (the one and only regular brigade ever equipped with Mk.3s) received them in 1989-1990 just like that.

Thanx a lot for the on spot information.

Merkava 3 versions have been puzzling me for quite soem time now. This is an answer I got from mr Mass on FB:

"So, there were 3 types only:
Mk. 3 Ramach, or Ramaqh - depends how you wish to pronounce it. It is translation of "Electric mirror head"/
Mk. 3BAZ -the first to have BAZ FCS, Commander's panoramic sight, round loader's hatch and new engine deck.
Mk. 3D - same as 3Baz but with D armor."

Now to the turret roof armor issue, the first Mk3s that entered service were without roof Armor.The turret roof armor was added sometime before the Baz upgrade as photos posted bellow indicate. Other changes included the add on armor on the engine deck and some details on it (I have spotted 3 different engine deck configurations).

Also a comment about the Lantrun Merkava 3, do nto use it as reference, it is one of the first vehicles with added details later from what I understand and also some details have been removed/ are missing.

The easiest way to tell a Ramach from a Baz is the shape of the Gunner's sight housing.

MErkava III Ramach (reposting some photos already posted here)

There's also a Trophy equipped Mk.3D based (sub)variant (Mk.3M?).

1838.

M1 alongside a Merk? What's the story behind that?

Joint IDF/USMC exercise in southern Israel in 1996.This is not the first time for the Abrams in Israel though: in the early '90s the IDF's trial unit evaluated the M1's performance both in the Negev Desert and on the Golan Heights.

Speaking of Mk.3s, here's a real oddball: an early example with Trophy and LIC package. My guess this is a demo vehicle of the Ordnance Corps.

1839.


1840.


1841.


1842.

Can I throw in how fabulous all these images are, and how helpful? A big thank you from me, a self-confessed IDF nut.

Thanks Russ, much appreciated!

I wanted to finish with the Merkavas a while ago but interesting new photos are keep finding their way to my screen...
... this time of a Mk.2B with an unknown device (to me at least) on the turret sides.

1843.

Looks like some Mk.3Ds also have them... https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/260992&ord=&page=11

...as well as some Mk.2Ds (#1718): https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/260992&ord=&page=15

It's ALWACS softkill APS

https://below-the-turret-ring.blogspot.com/2017/06/

Thanks. I guess the Droid was an answer to the gaps of this device in terms of area covered.

Thanks for sharing these pictures. I have lately developed interest in IDF armor during 1982 Lebanon war. I´am currently building AFV-Clubs Centurion and next kit in my workbench will be Takom´s Merkava Mk.I. I have a question about the "ball and Chain" armour in Merkava Mk. I´s. Was it used in 1982 war and if yes,was it used from the beginning?

Not from the very beginning but at least some of tanks did receive them during the war.

Thanks! I planned to leave them off and now I know its historically accurate.

ddd

I never understood the role of "the droid". I get that it was apparently a laser warning (and possible jammer) system but it always seemed to be issued on a very restricted basis. In every pic I've seen of tanks in the field, at best only 1 out of every 5 or so had this installed. Not sure if this unit was able to provide protection for the entire unit or the IDF just never got around to fielding it widespread?

Is the droid still in service? Is it mounted on Mk4's or did the Trophy system alleviate the need for it?

I only see 'Droids' on non-Trophy equipped vehicles (including Mk.4s). The Trophy, being a hard-kill system, is apparently able to detect and intercept a wider variety of AT weapons hence alleviates the need for it.