Merkava IIID (Academy kit + Legends Conversion)

Dear Antonio
Really love it nice model
and good luck for tomorrow :-) :-)
Seb

Thanks Sebastien. Let's hope for the best!!!
Not being a soccer fan I find myself eating my nails with every game (I didn't know I had it in me ) :-) :-)

Gday Antonio
Don't know Jack about modern armour... but this is the Israeli main battlle tank yeah? It really looks fantastic, although I cannot question the accuracy... What are the ball and chains on the turret rear for? RPG protection? And the .50cal at the turret front; is it remote control or is that a hatch behind it?
Best of luck with the competition
Cheers
Brad

Great build Antonio! Good luck with the contest.
Btw nice pics.

Hi Bradley,

Yep, it's the 3rd variant of the Merkava Israeli Tank.
Revolutionary design (front engine, back door and capacity to accomodate infantary soldiers at the expense of paletized gun rounds)
It was a program initiated by Israel after the 68 and 73 wars when the suppliers of Israel let them down.
Being the kings of adaptation and ingenuity, they created the ball and chain armor. It is intended to detonate RPG's before they hit the turret base (apparently the most vulnerable part of the tank). It has proven effective against Sagger missiles too.
From what I could find the front .50 is now operated remotely, but it used to be operated by a guy lying over the turret (??).
The turret also has a mortar that can be fired from the inside witout exposing the crew.

sweet build Antoni. I like the paint and weathering youve done. Im not technically educated on this tank, but it looks great to me. Good Luck to you!