Is the canvas used on IDF tanks the same color as the tank generally or is it a different shade of Sanai sand. Asking to see what I need to paint the mantlet cover and rear storage canvas on Takom's Merkava I hybrid. Thanks

Tamiya instructions say Buff for the canvas.

Do they call out a different color for the tank itself?

Jason, I have the new Desert Eagle Merkava I book, and it has many really good (and large) color photos on both the Mk. 1 and Mk. 1 Hybrid tanks. The canvas mantlet, such as it is, and the few photos of the fabric color on the rear turret basket show them in colors that are as close to exactly the same as can be. I would just paint those parts the same color as the tank, and you'll be 100% accurate!

P.S. I have the Takom Merkava I kit on order (the 'other' Takom Merkava) and will be using the book to detail that tank, when I get it. If you plan to do another Merkava I at some point, I would REALLY recommend this book. I made a post in the thread about the Desert Eagle book, and I wrote there that the picture quality (size, color and sharpness) is the best of any of the several Desert Eagle books that I have (I have the Merkava 3D and Merkava 4 books), and the Sabingamartin IDF Shot Centurion and Shot Kal books, and this Merkava I is the best of any of these, purely in image quality (and all of those are great books, too, no slam against any of them).

Thanks...I have the Merkava I kit, as well

Great! I hope you'll post some build pictures of that one also (in particular, in case of any difficulties). I'll look to you for help when I start putting mine together. Maybe by then there will be some aftermarket things available for those kits (besides tracks, which already exist).

Very similar, maybe slightly darker and a bit browner. Under a layer of dust looks pretty much the same. I would paint it using a darker shade of the main color just to generate more interest.

That is clearly wrong.

i use tamiya kahki drab for my Israli armor for all the canvas parts

Me too.

Unless the canvas was replaced, it would be painted when the tank was painted with the same color. Any tonal differences would be caused by a texture difference between canvas and metal.

Thanks guys. I went with same as the base, but didn't lighten it like the rest of the vehicle.