Armor/AFV: IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]
Armor and AFVs of the IDF army from 1947-today.
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IDF Light/Heavy Metal
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Monday, July 01, 2019 - 01:14 AM UTC
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That looks like an experimental remote controlled M-113.
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ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Tuesday, July 02, 2019 - 12:42 AM UTC
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ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 12:47 AM UTC
Nice Mk.4M walkaround:

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ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2019 - 07:28 PM UTC
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ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2019 - 08:53 PM UTC
#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.



ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Friday, November 01, 2019 - 09:54 PM UTC
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.

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panorama
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Posted: Thursday, November 28, 2019 - 10:34 PM UTC
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
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Friday, November 29, 2019 - 01:58 AM UTC

Quoted Text

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.



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.


Quoted Text

Do you know whether the III was used as well without upper turret armour for some time?



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

panorama
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Posted: Friday, November 29, 2019 - 03:54 AM UTC
Thanx a lot for the on spot information.
GTDeath13
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Posted: Friday, November 29, 2019 - 04:11 AM UTC
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)













ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Friday, November 29, 2019 - 05:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text

"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."



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

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exgrunt
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Posted: Friday, November 29, 2019 - 09:32 AM UTC
M1 alongside a Merk? What's the story behind that?
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Friday, November 29, 2019 - 07:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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.
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Monday, December 02, 2019 - 06:28 AM UTC
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.

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rfbaer
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Posted: Wednesday, December 04, 2019 - 02:13 AM UTC
Can I throw in how fabulous all these images are, and how helpful? A big thank you from me, a self-confessed IDF nut.
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Wednesday, December 04, 2019 - 06:38 AM UTC
Thanks Russ, much appreciated!
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Friday, December 27, 2019 - 03:16 AM UTC
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.

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ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 04:23 AM UTC
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
Barthass
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Posted: Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 05:52 AM UTC
It's ALWACS softkill APS

https://below-the-turret-ring.blogspot.com/2017/06/
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 06:09 AM UTC
Thanks. I guess the Droid was an answer to the gaps of this device in terms of area covered.
VelluS
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Posted: Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 09:25 AM UTC
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?
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 07:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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.

VelluS
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Posted: Sunday, December 29, 2019 - 02:16 AM UTC
Thanks! I planned to leave them off and now I know its historically accurate.
exgrunt
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Posted: Sunday, December 29, 2019 - 04:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

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

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?
ReluctantRenegade
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Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 11:54 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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.