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Merkava Mk.2D from Takom
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 12:16 AM UTC
As seen on Scalemates: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/takom-2132-merkava-2d--1248702#
vettejack
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 12:24 AM UTC
Whew...Takom. As much as I like Israeli stuff, I'm finding myself unenthused about a Takom product. After an unpleasing build experience with their M47's and AML's (fit and finish, finicky part removal, and questionable scale accuracy, just for starters), I'm gonna have to wait on a build review.
rfbaer
Joined: June 12, 2007
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,696 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 02:24 AM UTC
As good as they did with the Merk 1's, I'd jump on this one myself. Of course I have the Academy kit and some AM, and I'm sure that by the time I get around to building it (soon, I hope) the reviews on the Takom kit will show up and it'll be light years ahead of the Academy kit. Gotta love it.
Re Takom kits in general: I've built a few of the M60-based kits now, and the fit has been great, and as near as I can tell, accuracy is very good too. But: those are the only Takom kits I have experience with. Sprue attachments are big, true, but I have found the parts to be easy to remove and clean up, so six of one, half dozen of the other.
Re Takom kits in general: I've built a few of the M60-based kits now, and the fit has been great, and as near as I can tell, accuracy is very good too. But: those are the only Takom kits I have experience with. Sprue attachments are big, true, but I have found the parts to be easy to remove and clean up, so six of one, half dozen of the other.
panzerbob01
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Saturday, May 30, 2020 - 02:50 PM UTC
I built the Takom Merk 2b kit - found that it was overall a very smooth and clean build. Of course, the announced 2D, like the previous 2b kit, will need the anti-slip coating applied to be accurate, so one needs to psych oneself up for that non-trivial step in the build, and because of that needed application, probably one needs to do some thinking and planning around some of the instruction steps... specially on the turret, where the many add-on bits and details actually should follow application of non-slip material...
I like the 2D look, and already plan to get this one. If it is much like the 2b kit, it will have good fit, loads of nice detail, a few bits requiring maybe some extra thinking before doing, and (FAIK) a pretty good and fairly accurate representation of the subject will result with care and attention. Like all Merk builds, the Takom kits benefit when the builder does some type homework before building. There are lots of details and many places where Takom's pretty good detail can be well enhanced by scratch work or AM bits.
Cheers! Bob :-)
I like the 2D look, and already plan to get this one. If it is much like the 2b kit, it will have good fit, loads of nice detail, a few bits requiring maybe some extra thinking before doing, and (FAIK) a pretty good and fairly accurate representation of the subject will result with care and attention. Like all Merk builds, the Takom kits benefit when the builder does some type homework before building. There are lots of details and many places where Takom's pretty good detail can be well enhanced by scratch work or AM bits.
Cheers! Bob :-)
Violetrock
Joined: March 09, 2003
KitMaker: 831 posts
Armorama: 791 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 08:31 PM UTC
What the general concenus on the Takom Merkavas regarding measurements? When the first ones came out, a comparison showed, they are noticably longer than the Tamiya kit.
Thanks,
Thomas
Thanks,
Thomas
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 08:46 PM UTC
Hi Thomas,
You might find this discussion useful: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/282848&ord=&page=1
You might find this discussion useful: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/282848&ord=&page=1
Violetrock
Joined: March 09, 2003
KitMaker: 831 posts
Armorama: 791 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 02, 2020 - 09:45 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Thomas,
You might find this discussion useful: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/282848&ord=&page=1
Thanks! But it seems, the answer in that thread is hidden for me. May be I´m too stupid to notice.
What I learnt:
Takom Kit matches book drawings
7,60 vs. 7,45m length discussion but, which length matches the Takom kit and is it correct (and so the drawings)?
Thomas
avenue
Joined: May 25, 2013
KitMaker: 544 posts
Armorama: 542 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 02, 2020 - 04:37 PM UTC
I still waiting for namer.when will it come out?
panzerbob01
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2020 - 10:20 AM UTC
Thomas;
The Takom Mk 1 and 2x kits are apparently pretty spot on in hull and turret dimensions for those marks, based on the many pages of discussions and debates seen on Armorama and other sites. There were some moderate changes made to both turret and hull dimensions for Mk 3 and 4x Merks.
My stance, however, is to not sweat the hull and turret dimension debates... I'm much more interested in the detail features being pretty much like those seen in photos... I want my builds to look pretty accurate - where "accuracy" is defined as being stuff that I can actually see and compare to things like photos - which are the only really useful reference for assessing most "historical" models far as "accuracy" is concerned. When I view a build - mine or other's - I'm much more inclined to focus on the work done then on some aspect of geometrical accuracy which, aside from visually comparing builds of different makers side by side, I actually have no real way of detecting or assessing, short of getting out the micrometers (and why bother with doing that?)! Just my opinion and perspective, of course!
Of course, everyone's mileage may well differ. Suppose that you found Merk kits from multiple makers which appeal based on version kitted, etc. You build them and crowd them side by side on your shelf. Yes, you may well see size or dimensional differences. I've built kits of Panzer 1A from various makers - they do differ in dimensions. Which one(s) are the "correct" dimension? I have no idea! I'm much more keyed into kit details and features and paint schemes and haven't bothered looking dimensions up! Same actually for almost every kit I've ever built!
My suggestion: Want a buildable and pretty accurate Mk. 1 or 2x Merk kit? Go Takom.
Cheers! Bob
The Takom Mk 1 and 2x kits are apparently pretty spot on in hull and turret dimensions for those marks, based on the many pages of discussions and debates seen on Armorama and other sites. There were some moderate changes made to both turret and hull dimensions for Mk 3 and 4x Merks.
My stance, however, is to not sweat the hull and turret dimension debates... I'm much more interested in the detail features being pretty much like those seen in photos... I want my builds to look pretty accurate - where "accuracy" is defined as being stuff that I can actually see and compare to things like photos - which are the only really useful reference for assessing most "historical" models far as "accuracy" is concerned. When I view a build - mine or other's - I'm much more inclined to focus on the work done then on some aspect of geometrical accuracy which, aside from visually comparing builds of different makers side by side, I actually have no real way of detecting or assessing, short of getting out the micrometers (and why bother with doing that?)! Just my opinion and perspective, of course!
Of course, everyone's mileage may well differ. Suppose that you found Merk kits from multiple makers which appeal based on version kitted, etc. You build them and crowd them side by side on your shelf. Yes, you may well see size or dimensional differences. I've built kits of Panzer 1A from various makers - they do differ in dimensions. Which one(s) are the "correct" dimension? I have no idea! I'm much more keyed into kit details and features and paint schemes and haven't bothered looking dimensions up! Same actually for almost every kit I've ever built!
My suggestion: Want a buildable and pretty accurate Mk. 1 or 2x Merk kit? Go Takom.Cheers! Bob
mogdude
Joined: June 18, 2012
KitMaker: 459 posts
Armorama: 195 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2020 - 11:01 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thomas;Yeah what he said !!
The Takom Mk 1 and 2x kits are apparently pretty spot on in hull and turret dimensions for those marks, based on the many pages of discussions and debates seen on Armorama and other sites. There were some moderate changes made to both turret and hull dimensions for Mk 3 and 4x Merks.
My stance, however, is to not sweat the hull and turret dimension debates... I'm much more interested in the detail features being pretty much like those seen in photos... I want my builds to look pretty accurate - where "accuracy" is defined as being stuff that I can actually see and compare to things like photos - which are the only really useful reference for assessing most "historical" models far as "accuracy" is concerned. When I view a build - mine or other's - I'm much more inclined to focus on the work done then on some aspect of geometrical accuracy which, aside from visually comparing builds of different makers side by side, I actually have no real way of detecting or assessing, short of getting out the micrometers (and why bother with doing that?)! Just my opinion and perspective, of course!
Of course, everyone's mileage may well differ. Suppose that you found Merk kits from multiple makers which appeal based on version kitted, etc. You build them and crowd them side by side on your shelf. Yes, you may well see size or dimensional differences. I've built kits of Panzer 1A from various makers - they do differ in dimensions. Which one(s) are the "correct" dimension? I have no idea! I'm much more keyed into kit details and features and paint schemes and haven't bothered looking dimensions up! Same actually for almost every kit I've ever built!
Cheers! Bob
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2020 - 08:33 PM UTC
I've served both on the Mk.2B and D. While I can't comment on the actual accuracy of the hull size, the general proportions, shape and appearance of Takom's Mk.2B seems to be spot on.
Having built it, fit and details are good too. The biggest problem of the kit (which most likely will be carried over to the Mk. 2D) is the thermal sleeve with five clamps forward the bore evacuator instead of the improved version on the Mk. 2Bs which has six. The five clamps variant is only good if you depict one of the very first (non B) Mk.2s, but then you would also need to add three clamps on the evacuator itself, and two more on the barrel behind it. You would also need to omit some other parts specific for the B only. I guess the whole section forward the evacuator was lifted from their Mk.1 kits without concerning much about accuracy.
Just to make things even more complicated, some Mk.2Bs have six clamps forward the evacuator and none behind (like all other Mk.2Bs), but with three on the evacuator itself (like the Mk.1). Some Ds also have this arrangement. Maybe these have replacement parts from decommissioned Mk.1s...?
Anyhow, Magic Models has a correct, Mk.2/B/D specific multimedia replacement gun barrel set, but it's a bit pricey and has a daunting number of parts.
https://www.bnamodelworld.com/parts-decals-for-1:35-scale-magic-models-mag-mm35171?zenid=2e43dcaf0145df238d8fd24cc99b35be
Including covers for the hull baskets is a nice and very welcome touch, but at the same time they fail to do the same with the turret basket.
Having built it, fit and details are good too. The biggest problem of the kit (which most likely will be carried over to the Mk. 2D) is the thermal sleeve with five clamps forward the bore evacuator instead of the improved version on the Mk. 2Bs which has six. The five clamps variant is only good if you depict one of the very first (non B) Mk.2s, but then you would also need to add three clamps on the evacuator itself, and two more on the barrel behind it. You would also need to omit some other parts specific for the B only. I guess the whole section forward the evacuator was lifted from their Mk.1 kits without concerning much about accuracy.
Just to make things even more complicated, some Mk.2Bs have six clamps forward the evacuator and none behind (like all other Mk.2Bs), but with three on the evacuator itself (like the Mk.1). Some Ds also have this arrangement. Maybe these have replacement parts from decommissioned Mk.1s...?
Anyhow, Magic Models has a correct, Mk.2/B/D specific multimedia replacement gun barrel set, but it's a bit pricey and has a daunting number of parts.
https://www.bnamodelworld.com/parts-decals-for-1:35-scale-magic-models-mag-mm35171?zenid=2e43dcaf0145df238d8fd24cc99b35be
Including covers for the hull baskets is a nice and very welcome touch, but at the same time they fail to do the same with the turret basket.
panzerbob01
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Friday, June 05, 2020 - 04:55 AM UTC
Israel;
Yeah, those Takom gun barrels... The one downer of Takom's Mk.IIx kits, by me (adding the needed non-slip isn't actually a "downer" to me - DIY non-slip is both true modeling and, IMHO, comes out much better looking then does any of the molded-on stuff one can find in some kits). And yes, there is a somewhat pricey AM barrel kit to correct those sadly visible "accuracy" elements. Frustrating! I've currently elected to fix the non-slip issue and fix up various surface details, but leave the barrel as it is (blah!) on my 2b build...
Scratching the barrel (or parts of it) MAY be feasible for those both skilled and patient enough to do so. I'm considering trying to fix the distal end beyond the bore-evac to add on the missing clamp(s).... Not that I'm claiming to actually have much skill...!
Because that barrel is rather complex with clamps, evac, etc., there is probably little chance of ever getting a simple "one-piece" molded AM item that will actually look really good - making up the barrel from many parts, like the AM barrels for the modern Russian tanks, seems the best detail solution, but leads to costly and effort-rich AM parts to get the real look. The molded styrene kit barrels for many of these current MBT with their strapped-up thermal sleeves and evac units just don't do a good job of capturing the complexly detailed look - leaving the barrels as a weak point that stands out in any build where one enhances the other details with AM and / or scratch work... But hope springs eternal! 
Cheers! Bob
Yeah, those Takom gun barrels... The one downer of Takom's Mk.IIx kits, by me (adding the needed non-slip isn't actually a "downer" to me - DIY non-slip is both true modeling and, IMHO, comes out much better looking then does any of the molded-on stuff one can find in some kits). And yes, there is a somewhat pricey AM barrel kit to correct those sadly visible "accuracy" elements. Frustrating! I've currently elected to fix the non-slip issue and fix up various surface details, but leave the barrel as it is (blah!) on my 2b build...
Scratching the barrel (or parts of it) MAY be feasible for those both skilled and patient enough to do so. I'm considering trying to fix the distal end beyond the bore-evac to add on the missing clamp(s).... Not that I'm claiming to actually have much skill...!
Because that barrel is rather complex with clamps, evac, etc., there is probably little chance of ever getting a simple "one-piece" molded AM item that will actually look really good - making up the barrel from many parts, like the AM barrels for the modern Russian tanks, seems the best detail solution, but leads to costly and effort-rich AM parts to get the real look. The molded styrene kit barrels for many of these current MBT with their strapped-up thermal sleeves and evac units just don't do a good job of capturing the complexly detailed look - leaving the barrels as a weak point that stands out in any build where one enhances the other details with AM and / or scratch work... But hope springs eternal! Cheers! Bob
Violetrock
Joined: March 09, 2003
KitMaker: 831 posts
Armorama: 791 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 08:15 AM UTC
Bob,
Israel,
many thanks!Will buy the Takom 2D when it comes out!
Thomas
Israel,
many thanks!Will buy the Takom 2D when it comes out!
Thomas
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