I haven't even looked at the Takom 2b kit barrel yet.

Hey all,

While Eric did a fine job with his texture application (and I have the same product that he used, by the way), I just wanted to report to anyone interested that I JUST tried another kind of texture that I bought years back but never tried. It's called Hull Tex, and it comes in 2 bottles, one an adhesive and the other, the actual texture. I had been afraid of trying it, as it's not cheap (about $9 for a set that I'm guessing would be enough for 2 tanks with a lot of anti skid area). The adhesive is where you'll run out first, again, my guess. If you look up their videos on YouTube, it works EXACTLY like they show. And, you can collect the excess texture, pry open the texture bottle top, and put the extra back in the bottle for another use. The Meng kit has molded-in anti-skid, but I admit it's a bit 'delicate'. The Hull Tex works great, and I'm certainly going to use it on my Takom Merkava Mark I Hybrid that has NO anti-skid.

My apologies, like Israel, to Eric for hijacking his very nice thread...

where did you get it Curt?
Dan

Curt: Sounds like you could be a candidate for trying my route...!

It's a LOT cheaper and it actually goes on and works the same way as Hull-Tex or any other brush-on-adhesive - apply grit process...

Just a suggestion!

Cheers! Bob

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I haven't even looked at the Takom 2b kit barrel yet.

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While the kit as a whole is pretty good, the barrel is wrong for a Mk.2: there are only five brackets holding the thermal sleeve in place forward the bore-evacuator when in reality there are six. I guess they just carried the sprue over from their Mk.1 kit (which indeed only had five)...

I have to agree with Curt on this. I've tried a few methods, but the Hull Tex has been the best (although a bit messy) way to go when doing your anti-skid. I now have three Merks with this method...……..with a few more pending.

I started working on the Meng resin turret basket and after about 2 and half hours of pure frustration I moving this project to my SoS (Shelf-of-Shame).

Just an update...

I started working on the Meng resin turret basket and after about 2 and half hours of pure frustration I moving this project to my SoS (Shelf-of-Shame). For whatever reasons this kit had fought me the entire time to the point that there is just zero fun left in it...and it a hobby after all.

I'll leave off here with a couple of thoughts...

A. This is a great kit that really out of Box except for the tracks. It does not need any AM items other than a new set of tracks. I mentioned earlier the tracks are the worst part of this kit as the design and engineering just plan...sux.

B. I need to take more time in making proper choices of what AM products to use and when. And realistically understand my skill level.

I feel I can save this project and before an doing anything that can't be reversed it is going on the SoS and hopefully I'll come back to it movitied and able to enjoy it once again.

Thanks for following along everyone.

...

By the way, I’ve now gotten to see, for the first time, what the Hull Tex product, under primer and paint, actually looks like. It is interesting. There is absolutely no way to miss where the texture has been placed. I used it at the 4 corners, on the horizontal parts, of the hull. I would say it is very effective, and REALLY easy to notice, as it creates almost a ‘black hole’ with respect to reflection of light (or rather, absorption). It definitely makes the molded in/on anti-skid look like there is nothing there, in comparison. It is very uniform, and I will, absolutely, be using this product on my Takom Merkava I Hybrid, which does not have any anti skid at all in the molding.

Hello Everyone!

It has been several years since I last posted a build here so I felt it was time to do so again.

Here is a photo of the base kit and some extra goodies I plan to include for this build.




First order of business for me is to assemble the major hull and turret components and identify any fit issues. Of course being a fairly new kit there were no issues.





After the major component assemblies checked out I then mounted them to their respective building boards, one for hull and one for the turret. The building boards help minimize direct handling and facilitate safe storage and transporting while this kit is being built.



THANKS for stopping in for a look and as always comments are welcome.

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Hello Everyone!

It has been several years since I last posted a build here so I felt it was time to do so again.

Here is a photo of the base kit and some extra goodies I plan to include for this build.




First order of business for me is to assemble the major hull and turret components and identify any fit issues. Of course being a fairly new kit there were no issues.





After the major component assemblies checked out I then mounted them to their respective building boards, one for hull and one for the turret. The building boards help minimize direct handling and facilitate safe storage and transporting while this kit is being built.



THANKS for stopping in for a look and as always comments are welcome.

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Well Eric, I pretty much have all the aftermarket I can stand now to compliment my Merk IV. I even bought aftermarket whether they are meant for Hobbyboss or Academy kits (I manipulate other proprietary aftermarket all the time to fit what I want it too). Still watching your thread as well. Now, all I have to do, is find/get the time to build my Merk IV!!