I have been thinking about a IDF dio and I wasn't sure what the Main Battle tank was I think it's the Macerak " ? " version something.

I seen a lot of figures for the IDF when I searched for IDF info for resin figures. I know they used the M151 mutt and a lot of M113's and humvee's.

Is there any PLO or arbic figures that would fit into a modern IDF dio. I used to hear a lot of stuff while arafat was alive but since OIF started and he died there hasn't been any news info on.

Happy Modeling
(++) 1:35

PS; would the tamiya M113's work for any of the IDF conversions or it's mostly Academey M113's

I can't say that I'm an expert on IDF armor but as far as I know the Merkava is the current IDF tank. As for the M113 that should work also.

The Merkava IV is the newest one followed by the Merkava III which s probably most common. Academy makes a Merkava III and AEF Designs makes the update conversion.

Academy makes a fairly current IDF M113.

Would the tamiya Merkava work with a legend productions conversion would that work well or should I just buy the academy kit. I can get the legend productions stuff real cheap.

They have a lot of IDF stuff and I was wondering which legend productions conversion would look good for the Merkava III conversion because tamiya has the older one.

Happy Modeling
(++) 1:35

None of Tamiya stuff would work b/c they are all outdated. Their Merkava was only used up until the early 80's. Even their newest M113 is based on the Vietnam era version. M115 A2 Ford Mutt has not been used since the late 90's. Academy Merkava III is problematic because it is based on a prototype rather than the actual production type. Besides, Merkava III's have disappeared from the current IDF and they're using Merkava IV nowadays. I don't know Legend Production's conversions can convert III to IV so can't comment on that. Academy Zeldas will most likely work since they are still used but they can still probably use conversions also- to make it into Machbet or Kasman. (Legend Productions sell many IDF conversions I noticed!) Blast models sell IDF conversions for M113 also.
Another current main battle tank for IDF is Magach7C I think. You may find more info from old posts here under the IDF section because there are Israeli folks who truly know their stuff.

Tom,

The IDF's main tank is the Merkava. They started with the I series in the early 80s and are now up to the IV series. Each series has its own upgrades, so you will see IIB, IIC, IIIC, IIID, etc. They usually involve adding different armor packages.

The Magach tanks are modified M-60 tanks. The most common ones these days are the 7A and 7C. The hulls have added armor and side skirts. The turrets look completely different, with new armor sections added to the turret.

The M-113 is still used, in many versions. APC upgrades include the Zelda and Nagman.

The IDF also uses an APC called the Achzarit, which uses a T-55 hull and new armored top section.

The Tamiya kit is fine for the Merkava I. Academy makes a good Merkava II. Academy's Merkava III is based on the prototype and is not accurate. Legends makes great conversions for the Academy kit, they have a IIIC and IIID conversion.

Legend also makes conversions for the Magach 7A and 7C. I believe you can use any of the M-60 models for the conversions.

The best M-113s are the Academy series. Blast models (http://www.blast-models.com/) makes conversions for the Nagman APC, and Legends makes conversions for the Zelda and other series.

Legend also makes an Achzarit conversion for the T-55 model.

You can see photos of these at http://www.waronline.org/IDF/photodir_en.php?dir=Army.
Osprey has a great book that explains all the conversions the IDF has done in the last 20 years.
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=S5791~ser=NVG~per=6

Hope it helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

How can you get Legends stuff so cheaply?

Dave

The IDF's M151s aren't really used anymore, replaced by the Humvee. A few M151s may be used for shuttle missions however.

Hi Tom

To do a Merkava MKIV (the Latest Version of the Merkava Family) you would need the AEF Designs conversion kits for the Academy MKIII Base kit.

For the Merk MKIIIB/c, Block III, and MKIIID.
Merk MKII, MKII B/C, and soon to be released the MKIID. you woul;d be better to use the Legends kits.
the Namer you could use the Legends kits.

The Legends Acharitz is a full kit and not a conversion set.

you can Vitis my website ([email protected]) for the full legends kit list and a link to their own website.

Cheers

Ian Hanratty

with all due respect sir what you are saying is totally wrong.

Merkava III Baz is still in use and so is the Mk.II and both will be in service for many years to come.
for security reasons I wont go into details but they both hold their own respectfully among modern tanks of other western designs with the Mk.III Baz probably ranking up there as one of the best MBTs together with the M1A2SEP, LEO 2A6 and Chally 2 as its a matured weapon system that has proven its survivability in South Lebanon in many occasions and is constantly being updated.

regarding the Magachs, they have been phased out of active service recently.

the M-151 and the Merkava Mk.I are still being used by reserve units but still the stock kits will need some extra work to look like current models.

besides, who said you have to model current vehicles?
I think the Yom Kippur war and operation Shlom HaGalil (the Lebanon war) are much more intresting and provide much more possobilities for intresting dioramas.

Thanks for the corrections. I had a wrong information indeed.

P2G

Pettition2God,

no probs man, I'm glad to help where I can (within security limits) as much as I'm glad to get answers from the knowledgable people in here whenever I have a question.