Is the mark III kit, as detailed above,used by the IDF in the current dispute.

Cookie

The kit was based on an earlier prototype so its not exact but i do think its still a good enough kit to represent a Merkava.

If accuracy if your cup of tea then you might be interested in the conversion set by Legend.

Legend Productions: Merkava MK.IIID Conversion Set

I do intend to get this Academy kit as well so let us know how you go with yours.

If you have an interest in the tanks of the Tsahal, i heartily recommend this book

http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=MODSPECIAL1

I got my copy on Monday and was amazed at the quality of the production, never mind the price. A book/magazine of this quality usually retails for a lot more than the £10 that this one costs. Go buy it, if you can, you will not be disappointed.

Regards from the Swamp

Hawkeye

Academy's kit is a prototype MK III, I believe based on a Latrun example. For an up to date MK III you will either need Legends MKIII conversion set, but most tanks we are seeing now are MK IIID's some have urban warfare upgrades added such as commander cupola vison and armoured air inlets. Maybe one of the IDF experts can give a bit more info.

I have the Academy kit. For myself, the most bothersome aspect of the kit is the profile of the turret nose.
When you look at the model kit part from the front, it looks like a compressed pyramid. But the actual part should really look sort of like a compressed diamond. Academy made the bottom of the turret nose flat, which is not right. If you own the old Concord booklet on the Merkava, there are at least two head on photos of the vehicle nicknamed "Mahatz" and you'll see what I mean.

I am trying to decide between two Legend conversion sets for the Academy kit.
The Merkava III block III converion and the later Merkava IIIC conversion.

Does anyone know which version of the vehicle is "more common"

Tony

What about the IIID? It seems to be the most commonly seen of all the III variants in recent events. Also Merkava IIB, IID and IV's in the news.


Jim

Hi Jim

Oh, I intend to buy the Legend Merkava 3D conversion.
The Legend Merkava 4 and Merkava 2D kits are in transit to me.

I also want to build an early Merkava 3 later on, so my question is between the two early variants, the "Block III" and the "C", I wonder which one was produced in larger numbers?
My own guess is the Merkava 3C is likely to be more numerous compared to the earlier Block III version because the turret is more similar to the IIID version since it has the round gunner's hatch and the independent commander's sight.

Since you mentioned the Merkava 2B, how good is the Legend Merkava 2B/C kit?