Thanks. It was truly too much fun.

Love the idea you had for making this. It came together great and looks like a beast.

Thanks!

That turned out great! Fantastic job Russ!!!

Thanks! It looks good in the case, the Slammer2 on one side of it, a "real" Merk3 on the other.

That is one cool, nasty looking track! Great job!

Calling it done:

IMG_2629 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2632 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2633 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2634 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2635 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Next!

Pawel-  I just trim all the visible clear backing off and use Walther's setting solution to make them conform. I finish with a quick shot of clear flat enamel, then on to weathering.

If I'm using decals that I can't trim, I'll apply localized clear gloss, then the decals, Walther's and flat.

OK, Russ, thanks for the info... One more question, if I may - how do you go about applying markings given you have that flat finish? Some decals would silver really bad on something like that.

Thanks in advance for the info, have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks all.

Pawel, I use Krylon or Rustoleum rattle cans, some variant on ten or khaki for my IDF models, sold as "camo" colors. I think they were originally marketed to hunters but the available colors are pretty useful in modeling. They go on thin, dry quickly and dead flat and are tough, perfect for standing up to weathering. They cost about $6/can and I can spray several models with one can.

Looks awesome! I'm digging the dry dusty look, looks like a real desert warrior. 

   That is really cool, if I were a jet jokey my pucker would be puckered. Ya never know someday they may actually produce the real thing.

The Hutzpah is really comin' along very nice!

Can you write what basic colour you are using for your IDF vehicles?

Good luck with the last details and have a nice day

Paweł

Just needs a few detail bits added and some detail painting, really starting to look like a "real thing".....

IMG_2625 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2622 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2620 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2623 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Tow cables are a must, just haven't figured  out where to stow them, but that's about it. I would have loved to have a bunch of stowage on it but there's just no place to hang anything, so it's nekkid.

Oh cool! 

I almost had an aw, slip moment.... I was just starting to spray the hull when it hit me: No anti-slip! So an hour or so with some Mig anti slip paste and voila!

IMG_2618 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I did the turret horozontyal surfaces too, next pics will be with the base coat on the a wash.

I did a Merkava 2 turret on an M60 hull a while ago, kind of fun, still have stuff to do a Merk 3 turret on one, in the pipeline now. And then there's the Takom Marksman turret I have.....

I put an AMX 13 turret on an M4... real thing.

BC

Many years ago (at least 20), I put the Sgt York turret on an M1 Abrams hull and called it a what if Sgt. Major York.

Yeah, with the sleek Mekava hull she does have a very SF looking vibe going on. 

I've got the one gun nearly finished, other just the basics, and the radar assemblies. It's starting to look kind of neat.....

IMG_2577 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2576 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2575 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Guns and radar array are both movable, very sci-fi looking. I think once it's painted it will be hard to tell it's a "what-if".

Gino: I only mentioned the Marksman turret in the buildup to my reasoning. I'm using the Japanese Type 87 turret, but I did snag a Takom Chieftain Marksman, more on that later.

Given the fact that the IDF used the M163 in a variety of roles, I figured I had some "justification" for this, if that's the right word. Anyway, it's fun to build, and a welcome relief after literally counting rivets (or bolt heads) on my last build. I keep telling myself I could build one of the car kits in the stash for the same reason, but gloss paint gives me the creeps.

Might not be the most practical thing but it's really cool looking! Like how she's coming!

Looks pretty good, but one point of order.  The turret is a German Flakpanzer Gepard turret, not British Marksman.  They are similar, but not the same.

M. Brindos

I'm a fan of "what-ifs" and I'm a fan of your work, Russ.

Not only does this seem plausible, but it looks like a " why wasn't it?"

That is because the SPAAG was proven ineffective and most were retired by the early '90s.  They couldn't keep up with and engage fast moving jets and the latest generation of faster helicopters.  Most army's ADA moved to missiles over guns in the mid-'90s

Lurkers welcome!

So I'm back in town and work is slow again, lucky me. Hull detailing is nearly done, I think anti-slip is next, and I've started building the turret: lots of tiny parts and a fair amount of flash but good detail. Should bulk up nicely with the guns and radar.

IMG_2566 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2567 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I added some imagined detail to what would have to be a large turret ring adaptor, given the dimensional difference between the two turrets and hulls for that matter.

IMG_2568 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I also added the "engineering" bosses to the front of the hull, ala Merk 2, figuring the IDF would have done the same, and for visual interest.

I'm a fan of "what-ifs" and I'm a fan of your work, Russ.

Not only does this seem plausible, but it looks like a " why wasn't it?"

I'll definitely be lurking.

Pull up a chair and grab the poopcorn. 

Today was just doing detail stuff to the hull, bringing the old Tamiya kit closer to modern standards, nothing exciting. I'm up in KC for a while, should have some more bench time late this month. In the meantime, Merry Christmas y'all.

Count me in with the not-a-fan-of-what-ifs club, but your builds are always fascinating, so I'm looking forward to what you come up with here.

I know what that means Pawel, that's funny right there. 

Bar armor? My eyes hurt already, but good idea.....