After almost 40 years, the IDF is phasing out its remaining Mk.2s. Since the 7th Armored Brigade completed transitioning to Mk.4Ms in 2016, the type only remained in service in reserve units.
As a former tanker of the 7th, I'm sad to see them go, although I'm pretty confident some of them will reincarnate as heavy APCs and will see many more years of service.
I'm sorry, I only have the article in Hebrew (it has some nice footage though) : https://mobile.mako.co.il/pzm-magazine/Article-da2daac905b7371027.htm
Hosted by Darren Baker
Bye-bye, Merkava Mk.2
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
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Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2020 - 11:05 PM UTC
panamadan
Joined: July 20, 2004
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 01:46 AM UTC
I kind of felt like this in ‘87 when we turned our old M60A3s for brand new M1A1s. We really busted our asses keeping those things going and they were fine tanks.
Dan
Dan
trakpin
Joined: November 03, 2012
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 04:01 AM UTC
if this'll help, it lives on in war thunder. I have this and the Mk1. maybe some'll be placed in reserve
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 04:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
maybe some'll be placed in reserve
They were in reserve since 2016, now they're being phased out from those units as well.
Removed by original poster on 07/25/20 - 20:06:52 (GMT).
knewton
Joined: June 19, 2013
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 06:24 PM UTC
An Ofek conversion would be welcome, Legends? Failing that, there’s several images out there of the sides, none of the roof... for a scratch build project.
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 07:37 PM UTC
Quoted Text
An Ofek conversion would be welcome
The initial example(s) of the Ofek were indeed Mk.2 based, but the wheel spacing and the sponsons of later examples indicate that those were converted from Mk.3s. Seems like an interesting decision given all those Mk.2s laying around while the Mk.3 is still being used by both regular and reserve units. I guess simplifying logistics was the main consideration here: a Mk.3 based Ofek means there would be only two types of Merkava chassis and power trains utilized by IDF MBTs and HAPCs instead of three (the Namer/a is either Mk.3 or Mk.4 based).
knewton
Joined: June 19, 2013
KitMaker: 1,217 posts
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 09:25 PM UTC
Hello Reluctant Renegade,
There is a good Mk 3 kit out there, so maybe not a conversion but a new kit? I’m in for one. To go with the Eitan. And Namer. Or Perah.
There is a good Mk 3 kit out there, so maybe not a conversion but a new kit? I’m in for one. To go with the Eitan. And Namer. Or Perah.
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 09:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hello Reluctant Renegade,
There is a good Mk 3 kit out there, so maybe not a conversion but a new kit? I’m in for one. To go with the Eitan. And Namer. Or Perah.
I would expect the Namer/a first, followed by the Pereh. Those two together with the Eitan and perhaps the Nakpadon too would really round off the otherwise very well represented IDF heavies in 1/35. Softskins is a different story though...
trakpin
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
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Posted: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 11:47 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Textmaybe some'll be placed in reserve
They were in reserve since 2016, now they're being phased out from those units as well.
hmmm, maybe some sort of mitzvah could be held for the last one to be retireed
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
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Posted: Saturday, July 25, 2020 - 07:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
hmmm, maybe some sort of mitzvah could be held for the last one to be retireed
This is sort of a tradition in the IDF. In 2014, when the Magach was finally phased out from the last reserve unit, a single tank, commanded by a Brigadier General in reserve and driven by an active Major General (the loader was an ex-Magach crewman, the gunner a female instructor in reserve) performed the final exercise of the type as a farewell.
The same was done when the Sho't left in 2002 and I'm sure something similar will mark the departure of the Mk.2 too.
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 25, 2020 - 11:11 PM UTC
On a side note, the departure of the Merkava Mk.2 also marks the end of an era: the Mk.2 was the last IDF tank still utilizing a 105mm gun (M64 L71).
trakpin
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
Armorama: 639 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 26, 2020 - 05:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Texthmmm, maybe some sort of mitzvah could be held for the last one to be retireed
This is sort of a tradition in the IDF. In 2014, when the Magach was finally phased out from the last reserve unit, a single tank, commanded by a Brigadier General in reserve and driven by an active Major General (the loader was an ex-Magach crewman, the gunner a female instructor in reserve) performed the final exercise of the type as a farewell.
The same was done when the Sho't left in 2002 and I'm sure something similar will mark the departure of the Mk.2 too.
all the more reason too, being the last of the 105s. wish I could see that. got a certain affinity/love for Israel
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