IDF artillery question

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I keep seeing pictures of those huge IDF mobile assault guns on the Lebanese border. Can anyone tell me what that is and is there a kit? Thanks, Eric

2

I believe its a version of the (U.S.) M109.

3

Yes, they are US 155 SP howitzers, M109A2/A3s, with Israeli modifications. Italeri makes a model of the basic M109A2/A3 and there are a few companies that make Israeli conversion kits.

4

Thanks guys…I sure would hate to be on the recieving end of those rounds. Gino, is there a conversion kit on the market to make it into an IDF M109?

5

Yes, I believe Verlinden has one, as well as AEF Designs, about 3/4 way down the page.

6

WOW, excellent resource…Thanks again! Eric

7

If you check out the couple of IDF referrence pages I think you’ld find it is a fairly easy model to scratchbuild the changes.
Check Out:
Israeli Weapons
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/index.html
IDF Modelling
http://idfmodelling.free.fr/index.html

There have been a couple of series of M109’s in the IDF - the changes have been incremental and it isn’t unusal to have a vehicle that is partially updgraded.

Good Luck
Mike

8

Azimut AKA Best value models has an M109 Doher that is currently in use in the current conflict. It is Revell’s M109 A2 kit with a new resin turret and all IDF necessities. It builds up into a great IDF Doher and has been fun to build. DON"T BUY AEF DESIGNS STUFF!!!

9

Mike, thanks for the excellent websites. James, you’ve had problems with AEF products/service? Eric

10

who in the IDF modelling world hasn’t? His molds are horrible and rife with air bubbles, the detail isn’t crisp as other companies and his idea of scale is more than interesting. What he does is cast a kit for you when you order it, and he rushes the production leaving a less than pleasing kit comming to you after ten years of waiting and emailing him about what’s taking so long. He does take his time with some people, and he doesn’t with others. In regards to emailing him, he responded the same day, however, it took three weeks of blasting him to get the missing parts from the kit I needed. That’s another thing with AEF, missing parts! Ask anyone who has built AEF, they’ll all say, “yep he’s cheaper, but the quality is even more cheap!” Go with the Best Value models, but if you can’t get it, then use AEF as a last resort, but be prepared for headaches!

11

I’ll echo the problematic quality control at AEF Designs.
Some stuff is really nice - like his IDF halftrack mods and M113 stuff. It is the larger stuff that gets weird. I have the L33 howitzer kit and it is one the quality end of a 1980’s vac form. It is basically OK but it has been a real pain to build.
Not sure what’s going on recently - I’ve been trying to order something but I’ve gotten no response
The Best Value kit is really great - if pricey. And it is pretty much up-to-date; always a problem with IDF stuff which always seems to be about 2 years too late.

Mike

12

Okay, I get the picture on AEF Designs. That being said I found this kit at Great Models:

http://www.kitlink.com/Products/images/Bestvalue/bvm35033.JPG for $89.95, which, if its loaded with the realism I think it is, seems like a fair price. Right?

Here’s my next questions and I’ll put them to you, James, since you’ve got one in progress: What’s meant by the term “Doher”? Is that the name of the person resonsible for the modifications? How’s it different from the basic M109?

Thanks again,

Eric

13

excellent, you found the Best Value models kit!!! I suggest you get it if you desire a great kit. As for the word Doher, I’ll have to get that in my references, later on, I just got home from work. I do believe it is just a name given like the Merkava, Magach etc. As for differences. There are few external differences such as the anti personell weaps on there, sensors and optics. Other than that, there is very little. Oh, let’s not forget the very typical IDF stowage bins. I will get back to you with more specifics, that’s what’s on the top of my head.

14

Doher is Hebrew for “Galloper”

15

looks like shaun beat me to it!Galloper it is!

16

With this recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon, IDF equipment will become frequent discussion topic. I’m going to get myself some IDF armor kits just to say I have them on my shelves. [:D]

17

OK, Doher is “Galloper”,
Merkava is “Chariot”,
What is Magach?

-60

18

It is an abbreviated form of Merkevet Giborey Chayil, which means Chariot of War Heroes.

19

Thanks, MM. Been wondering about that for awhile.

-60

20

I’ll let you know when I figure out where the A’s came from.[:)]