The Hybrid also has smoke grenade launchers and antiskid surfaces. Also the mounting points of the side skirts were similar to the MkII, not the simple ones of the MkI.

Great news indeed!

Takom have THE BEST box art.

Could have been me at least, must have kit. Now what to do with the several Tamiya kits in the stash?

Maybe now, my Tamiya Merkava I can be my 'painting test bed', if I ever get around to building it. Guess for that purpose, I don't need to put all the details on, maybe just the main hull and turrets parts, with road wheels for more weathering experience.

Sprue shots of the hybrid are up at PMMS LINK

Interesting. The Meng III kit is awesome.

Agreed, Bill. My Meng Merkava 3D (Early) has most of the hull completed, and the wheels and Friul tracks are in place. I ran into a bit of difficulty when I put the hull top deck in place (the top sort of 'cracked' where the exhaust opening is), and I've just not had had the heart to go on with it. I will, eventually. It was my first Meng kit (that I've built, even partly). I had Meng send me 2 additional hull tops, eventually, to buy another 3D (possibly the LIC version) but I had purchased a great deal of photo etch for the tank, but when the build sort of stalled, I decided to hold onto the PE, and use it on the next build. I wanted the extra tops in case I mess up while cutting openings where the screens on the hull top go, as I want to give the sense of depth which won't work if leaving the plastic in place under the screens. I have the Voyager set that includes the metal springs for the suspension. I agree, though with the exception of the problem I had, the tank went together very well, and has lots of details. And yours is fantastic, in terms of build and weathering. Good going, sir!

Thank you, Curt, it was all in using a good kit. Sounds like the Meng factory had a run of bad styrene. [auto-censored] happens but you clearly got help from Meng and that's the way it should be. Looking forward to seeing your finished job.