Yeah, looks cool. The ERA bricks always give a tank a completely different look than without them. 

Thanks Mike. Wait till you see it with the mantlet armor on, it has a definite "samurai" look, just like the USMC ERA set, just a little "different".

That is really beginning to take some heavy duty shape, Russ. 

This is going to be one, sweet looking oddball.

Some more. Right side essentially finished, left side well on the way:

IMG_6812 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Smoke dischargers are from a Meng Merk3.

Other side:

IMG_6811 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And the top, showing the mounting parts, right done, left not yet started, waiting for the glue to set up on the interior mounts:

IMG_6813 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Okay: first step was to put a backing layer on all the ERA modules, since I plan a larger standoff distance:

IMG_6809 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Then I got to work, basically like doing a jigsaw puzzle, fitting and trimming, wanting to get the look of the IDF Blazer modules, but more modern. Here's the right mid and rear of the turret, front not done yet:

IMG_6810 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I also used the hull modules almost as they came, but I've got more to do there.

Thanks all. I started the ERA yesterday afternoon, may have some time today as well. I'm using the ERA in the Tamiya and Academy kits, mostly Tamiya as it is quite a bit better. The big challenge is to differentiate my layout from the standard USMC setup. Pics soon.

Looks good! Again, the additions are sharp!

That looks sweet, even without the added armor.

I'll put you in my will....  lol.

So speaking of playing around, some more details on the turret, like the internal mortar (cage to come), range finders on extensions to clear the soon to come turret armor, and relocated radio antenna pots. And imagine my surprise when I turned the turret over and the loader's hatch fell open. Pic is with both hatches open...

IMG_6746 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Russ, if you don't make it, remember I take donations lol!

This weird tank is making me drool with anticipation. I need to get my A-24 going again. Then I can play around with more armour. Decisions....

Oops, forgot something:

IMG_6745 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

This is my last ESCI hull, converting it to a "slick" M60, YKW period. What better way to use the Academy Magach7 turret? I will surely start a separate thread on this one, once I get the other two further along.

Sure I will. And then there's the two Takom Brave Tigers in the stash (somebody had a sale) and the M60A1 Rise/Passive w/ERA, also Takom, also "on sale", that are all waiting patiently.

I should live so long.

Keeps me goin'.....

And the two crew hatches:

IMG_6744 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Piece by piece this is getting more interesting.

And there ya go!

And here's some cupola action:

IMG_6740 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Hatch, with vision device, will come from the Merkava3.

RBaer

Good stuff! Gonna do a "what-if" or a gen-you-wine Magach? The Goffey kit is mis-labeled, but from what I've heard, a good casting. The ESCI kit is the same mix of parts as the Academy kit, but basically good stuff too, if rather simplified. I'm anxious to see what you do with it all.

 

 

Oh, totally a what-if. Some oddball surplus junkers cobbled together for some backwater. I have no idea what it will end up as lol. But I'm going to enjoy the everlovin' smack out of it!

I may even have a spare 120mm in the spares somewhere.

Good stuff! Gonna do a "what-if" or a gen-you-wine Magach? The Goffey kit is mis-labeled, but from what I've heard, a good casting. The ESCI kit is the same mix of parts as the Academy kit, but basically good stuff too, if rather simplified. I'm anxious to see what you do with it all.

Hey, Russ. I've gathered a few bits and pieces together. Looks like this lot will get me a good start for my frankentank.

Look what you've inspired lol.

Looks good to me. 

I went with the Leo tube, after adding a collar on the mantlet, partly for visual interest and partly because I thought something would have to be done to adapt the 120mm tube. Mounted:

IMG_6677 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And while I'm still diddling around on what commancer's cupola to use, I did add a skate ring for the loader's MG, out of the Takom Brave Tiger kit:

IMG_6678 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I was looking through the stash, thinking about supplemental armor, and I realized I have a considerable amount of the ERA tiles from the Academy and Tamiya M60A1 Rise/Passive kits, got me to thinkin'......

Okay. I'm off to glamp for a few days, got time to ponder. I my self kind of like the shorter of the two Abrams tubes, only because I did a nice job (I think) on the bellows extension, but the Leo tube is a strong second, with its irregular bellows. I chucked the tube up in my cordless drill and used a #11 blade as a bit, and it worked, looking more realistic then the others. Okay, off to the RV park for me!

I dunno! I like 'em all!!!

I like the Leopard tube. It just looks like it belongs more than the Abrams gun tubes. It looks a bit more rough and I think that lends itself to the build.

T'anks!

So, here's a question: which of the three following gun tubes look like they belong? Each is a 120mm tube, two from an Abrams, one from a Leo2, main differences being the length and composition of the bellows/dust cover. The Leo tube has my attempt at duplication the rough finish of the fiberglass cover on the evacuator, other two are pretty much straight out of the Trump box, except for the bellows and different additional dust cover. Let 'er rip!

IMG_6673 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_6674 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_6675 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Remember, I'm asking for opinions, no logic or reason needed. Of course, I'd like to know any reasons for a particular opinion, but it's not required. So cast your chicken bones and post up.

Ohhhhhh, bustle rack and mantlet cover look good!!!

I know it's Russian, but it's big and long and it's your build. I just figured, why not? Lol

M. Brindos

What about a 125mm gun tube? Eh? Nudge, nudge.

 

Well, to pick the nit, 125 is a Russian gun. I am however in the process of adapting a 120mm gun (from a Trumpeter Abrams) to this one, reason being the Merkava 3 and 4 both use it, so ammunition would be shared. I think it'll work.

What about a 125mm gun tube? Eh? Nudge, nudge.

Mantlet dust cover details done, now to decide which type of add'tl armor to use:

IMG_6670 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And while I was playing with putty, I worked on the engine cover some:

IMG_6671 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I'm pretty sure (random thought here) that I'm going to skip side skirts/armor, mostly because I spent as much time as I did on the suspension.

The 105mm gun tube is just to see what it looks like. I'm digging around for a 120mm gun, go big or go home.

More on what I guess I'll call a Magach6D Gal. On the turret, I hogged out enough plastic to fit the Academy gunner's sight, from the batash kit, got the AFV Club mantlet on and started the IDF-specific cover. On the nose, I have the access poet for the Gal FCS started, For the hull, I've got the fender extensions and brackets on (Dragon parts, tow lugs (DEF) and cleaned up some unnecessary holes.

IMG_6573 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Lower hull/suspension is closer, final drives done and sprockets ready. I'm using old Tamiya T-62 sprockets and Friul Merkava4 tracks, which fit perfectly. Also on are bump stops from a Dragon M48.

IMG_6572 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Too much fun!

G- It's a little over-scale, but very easy to use, doesn't come apart like nylon mesh and is flexible.

Mike- It's my favorite kind of modeling, can't really say why.