Last year while searching for sci fi what if ideas, I found a sci fi artist's image of either a Merkava Mk.I or Mk.II that had a lot of add on parts and I really wanted to try to make something similar. I didn't have a Mk.I or Mk.II at the time so one of my good friends kindly donated an Academy Mk.III.
I switched out the kit 120mm barrel for a 105mm. For the 105mm barrel and add on armor blocks I used parts from the ESCI 1/35 M60A1 Blazer kit that someone else kindly donated. I also added a Black Dog resin RWS with a Live Resin .50cal.
Here is the image I found online. I can't read the signature so I can't give proper credit to the artist.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNc9KVpY.jpg&hash=b9156ee16d39ae42c4cfafb1c182a0226bb665ef) (https://imgur.com/Nc9KVpY)
This is the Academy kit I used.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnfpSLVV.jpg&hash=69fdd2c6695d351dab19cdac8944432a7cec8c57) (https://imgur.com/nfpSLVV)
Here is where I am at so far. I filled in the rear turret basket buy cutting up a trashed Academy M1A2 upper hull. Still a lot more to do. I plan to add a couple DUKE antennas and a Windbreaker APS.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6bTh1QQ.jpg&hash=20c7e3b407075e139e9d14036bc1e6ed4c78caaa) (https://imgur.com/6bTh1QQ)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FfVTL9EL.jpg&hash=e99dca7801cc050915228f96d0264ddc822622e3) (https://imgur.com/fVTL9EL)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Ffm6AWQc.jpg&hash=c898d2d39fb7b59f6f19869efefb18e1623e48e8) (https://imgur.com/fm6AWQc)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FFPA2LOF.jpg&hash=e3c7863b474c76439aaf77ed74b965ba89a8efd9) (https://imgur.com/FPA2LOF)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJ6mIYaT.jpg&hash=b9cede37d6786d55e38b1ac84dd9a9e14727136a) (https://imgur.com/J6mIYaT)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNaAeoCl.jpg&hash=57d43321f6dbe9a4374d63b3a09f07567330c905) (https://imgur.com/NaAeoCl)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FLiexlXI.jpg&hash=fec204aab21abc3ac4a21b23584a81bed52b00a0) (https://imgur.com/LiexlXI)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FpyTXRR4.jpg&hash=765ef07ff40fc63cef251a0d461d53d76691d2a6) (https://imgur.com/pyTXRR4)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9JxndEX.jpg&hash=39a0410b52902fe422e7a4ee2379e4e3622c50be) (https://imgur.com/9JxndEX)
One does seriously look forward to seeing the finished model. :thumbsup:
Ambitious & really cool! :thumbsup:
Just wondering what you're going to do about the too-vertical-for-a-Merkava bow plate, or are you just going to quietly let that bit slide by & ignore it? :wacko: ;)
I searched 'Merkava tanks' on Deviant Art and found that picture. The artist's DA name is "Darkki1", aka
[Tomi Väisänen
Male/Finland]
He's got some interesting stuff in his gallery - a grav-train engine; walking armor; weaponry; drones. It's only a single page, so it doesn't take too long to scan through.
I'll be interested to see what you make of his drawing and that model. :)
Nice work so far. The picture does look pretty mean. Looks like a fun build.
that will be a very cool subject! I love the Merkava's lines - it's just so sleek and mean.
Looking at this reminds me I need to finish mine off :rolleyes:
Thanks for the comments!
Got a little more done. Added the front ERA and the smoke dischargers. I moved the tow hooks out further to fit the ERA between them. The white plastic is because I cut the top of the mantlet cover down. It stuck up pretty high so I trimmed it down and will add a .50cal there.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrPt3kF9.jpg&hash=40c3ea15dda2466894cff3bd2149cf6d682672c0) (https://imgur.com/rPt3kF9)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYy09XcH.jpg&hash=b8c44865afa60c1165d216b858438a23d1311af2) (https://imgur.com/Yy09XcH)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F01emkUN.jpg&hash=885b242ae4aec935550f3f3dac802d0101e8c050) (https://imgur.com/01emkUN)
Test fitting the Windbreaker APS and DUKE antenna. Only one DUKE antenna shown but there will be two when done.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fy2mXWX1.jpg&hash=f0a948f4d867389e751332b2c12748a0b8399101) (https://imgur.com/y2mXWX1)
:thumbsup: