Yes I would participate, but unfortunately not until after first of the year. Benchtime has been at a premium since Fall, and the rest of the year looks about the same. Best of luck getting your GB off the ground; there are plenty of unique and interesting subjects.
Just a heads up, I am in South Africa, about 8 hour or so ahead of US eastern seabord so my responces might seem to be late to you guys, its 20h23 here now
Had sometime to night so cracked open the Tamiya Merkava. Here is the box.
The kit first came out thirty five years ago! It’s interesting to note in the instructions on the history of the vehicle it’s stated that the Merkava did well against T-72s in the recent Lebanon conflict. Makes you realize how long ago this kit came out.
Here are the sprues. Not a lot going on with this kit when compared to kits nowadays. I believe this is a pretty recent reissue of the molds appear to be in pretty good shape still.
Like most pre 1990’s Tamiya tank models there are holes in the lower hull for a motor that will need filled. I’ve just glued some styrene on the inside and will fill the holes with some putty. Put tape around where the putty goes, no point making a mess and causing myself extra work.
The hull is lacking sponsons so you can see underneath the tank. Normally I’d fix this with styrene, however I’m using the side skirts and with the tracks installed it will hardly be noticeable if at all. I’ll make a final decision after doing a little improving on the upper and lower hull.
Did a little test fit on the turret and the kit is showing its age somewhat, nothing that can’t be fixed with a little effort.
Now from reading the Tamiya kit supposedly represents the prototype Merkava and not the MK. I and because Tamiya didn’t get full access to the tank some parts is wrong or just not there to begin with. A lot the then new MBT’s Tamiya made back then suffered the same problem. So I’m going to have some scratch building ahead of me. I’m going to see what I can do with what I have on hand versus using aftermarket. I could go crazy buying aftermarket for the kit and at that point might as well buy the more accurate Takom kit.
I can’t find it now but did come across on my online travels that supposedly Merkava prototypes did see action in Lebanon. At the very least I am going to see what I can do to make it look like a MK. I.
I am also in with Tamiya’s Merkava in 1/35. Bought it a while ago, just waited for an excuse to open it as my motivation for building has been in a doldrums lately.
Nice work sofar on that Merkava Greysnake, I have also looked at a few of the Tamiya 1/35 armour kits and might get one in the future, armour is not really my thng, I just want to try a few new weathering stuff I saw.
My build moejoe for this year has also been as low as can be but I made a start on my academy Maghac and sofar it is progressing well. I have assembled the road and drive wheels to see the track fit.
It seems the tracks are a few mm to short enev with the reat drive wheel axle moved as far forward as it can go…will have to think about this one for a bit.
The turret has the up armoured plates installed on the one side sofar, I had to wrangle it into place but I am sure it must be something I did wrong somewhere.
I had a look at some of the weathering powders and washes that one can buy but here in SA they are very expensive so I will play with oil paints and chalk pastels for now.
Academy’s Merkava is also a very tempting subject, I may lool at getting one next year to compliment the one I am doing now.
Gues here in SA we sometimes have breaks in the internet so if I am offlin for a few days please continue, I will be back
