Thread: Merkeva MBT?

Hi Theuns

This is a review for the Academy kit no. 13213 - I don't know if thats the one you're thinking of but it's all quite positive:

Academy has now released a new kit of the Merkava Mark IV; since they also had a Mark III (which I have not seen) I cannot comment on whether or not this kit is based on the earlier one. But from what I can tell this appears to be a “ground-up” new mold kit using slide molding and other state of the air techniques.

The kit is very conventional in general layout, but shows its motorized origins with the now standard three holes in the belly of the hull for the motor mounts and remote control wire access. A plug is provided for the central cable hole, but not for the two motor mount holes up front. Also, while many of the smaller details are provided for the lower hull, the access hatch at the rear is a “false front” and cannot be displayed open without a lot of work in creating a interior and an inner face to the hatch.

Given that, the rest of the kit is nicely done and very straightforward. The road wheel bogies are one massive unit with a rocker assembly that is attached but as they are springs will need careful cleanup. The road wheel pairs consist of four parts: rear wheel, vinyl keeper, front wheel, and separate rim with tire for definition; happily, the rims and tires are styrene and not vinyl so painting is not a problem.

Modelers will be happy that Academy includes “link and length” tracks with the kit (curiously referred to as “semi-connecting tracks” on the box ends!) The main runs have no ejection pin marks but the “wrap” sections do, so a bit of cleanup or filling (modeler’s choice) will be needed on those. The track runs therefore comprise but 27 parts each.

The turret is approximately 60% the size of the hull, and most of the detailing parts are used on it. The commander’s hatch may be positioned opened or closed, as can the gunner’s primary day/night sight doors. There are several antennas (parts B31) which I assume from what I know of the vehicle to be part of its battlefield control system interface (these are something new many countries are using such as the US system for brigade and below automated command and control). There are also several regular antennas plus a meteorological sensor mast and the turret basket. The coaxial .50 caliber has a slide molded bore and comes in a total of 14 parts including its mount, 17 if you count the ammo feed.

The main gun comes with a number of add-on bits for lifting eyes and other fittings. The side skirts come with separate top-mounted hinges and edges so this is a nice bit of detail usually left to the modeler. The engine exhaust grille is formed from separate “V” shaped parts, but the large mesh cover is not provided as part of the etched brass fret. (This was the only major part that I noted missing when compared with photos of current Merkavas in service.)

The etched brass includes the vehicle serial number plates (so in theory only one tank can be built from the kit) as well as end pates for the hull stowage bins, the floor of the bustle basket and most importantly, the chain armor around the lower edge of the rear of the turret. This protection, which received the somewhat flippant nicknames “Dingle Balls” or “Chi-Chi Balls” after their appearance being similar to “Low Riders” favorite fringe window trim for their cars, has been a royal pain ever since the IDF added to their tanks some years ago. (NOTE: the model on the box art is apparently a pre-production kit and does NOT show the etched brass, but it is inside the kit!)

Academy’s solution has been to make them as etched brass frets with the round portion attached from separately provided half sections (molded on the D sprue edges in what is now Academy’s standard style for small supplemental parts) for the modeler to attach with super glue. They provide 184 sections for 66 balls; as each ball takes two sections, they provide at least 50 extras as “sacrifices to the carpet monster!” I suggest added them BEFORE removing the ball sections (five to eight in a group) for attachment to the turret.

A small section of decals is included, but as Academy notes you will have to add the canvas removable tactical panels from tissue with a soaking in either white glue or “soup” made of glue and plastic.

Overall this is an outstanding effort and one which should be well received by IDF fans.

Hope it helps
Patrick

Originally Posted by T. van Vuuren

I have posted this question before but without any luck

Has anyone had any experience building the Academy series of tanks?They have a nice 1/35 Israeli Merkeva that I would like to try my hand at, but don't want to have a difficult kit to build as it is my first armour project.

They do nice fitting planes though.
Any imput please.

Ta
Theuns

Although I have not built the Merkeva, I have built a few 1/35 Academy tanks....3 Tiger 1's ,a Stug and others and I have had no problems with any. The detail and fit is up there with the best.
Hope this helps Theuns.
Ron