IDF GB 4/20/08 - 4/20/09

My raw materiels. 

I'm glad you got your stuff in I think it's going to come out grate. Here's some resin figures I was talking about. http://squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=WA35340&Submit3=Go

Hi all,

Good to see some action here! I've been devoting time to the Hunters, Big Cats and Official F4U Corsair GBs, and rather lost track of this one. Besides the Merkava, I've also received my Ti-67, which builds the Tiran-4 or -5. The -4 in cammo for Lebanon '82 is pretty good-looking. Given that this is a year-long build I hope to perhaps do Merkava and Tiran-4 both. Heck, I might even find a Dragon Isherman too.

Optimistic,

TB379

I was planning on posting some pics when I got back, (which was last night), however I got home and found something disturbing.  My mostly built lower hull was not where I had left it which was on top of the hutch on my computer desk.  It was OVER the 6 inch tall ledge somehow, and behind it, on the other side of my comptuer, upside down on the floor underneath a few movies, BROKEN!  I left my mother here, who insists she didn't touch a thing on my desk.  Even though EVERYTHING has been moved around on it.  I can't leave town and come back without something being broken or completely decimated.  So I will either have to find another one of these somewhere when I can get the money, or find the money and get something else, which if that is the case will probably be a Merkava.  Which I was plannin on building one eventually, but didn't want to build a Merkava until about this time next year.  That plan however looks like it may just have to change.  My other option is, I can repair this centurian enough, but would have to put some foliage on it to cover up the obviously broken stuff.  Not sure if that would be accurate or not on these.  I would like to keep this Centurian SHOT fairly close to accurate.  Basically prototypically correct is what I am aiming for.  If adding foliage and or netting to these was ever done, some photo's would be great, as I just might be able to salvage it then.

Thankfully if I have to replace it, I can just get the regular centurian as all the SHOT parts and such have not been put on, and I can just bring the parts over to the replacement kit.  Makes me mad though, the kit I bought was part of the first run with the extra parts.

Also anyone who wants to join this build, who is not up in the list, could you please send me a PM with the kit you are building?  If you don't know which kit you want to build yet thats fine, just let me know in PM so I can add you.  It's easier for me to keep track of adding people who pm me then it is for me to go through the threads to see who has and hasn't been added.  Too confusing for me at this moment in time.  Thanks guys(and perhaps gals if we are lucky).  Speaking of gals, my wife may be building something for me to post up here as well sometime this year.  She wants to try her hand at a couple of models.

Bummer about the broken stuff. That can be more than frustrating.

I've never seen the IDF use foliage, but northern Israel can get REALLY muddy.....

Started the ISherman today. I have never built a sherman before, and the workable suspension in this kit is quite intricate. Wish me luck lol.

 I will post some pictures when I get acess to a camera, and have something more significant to display.

Hi White_R34 and all,

I pulled out my Merkava from packing case #23 of my stash to check which variant it is, and it's the Mk. 2. It looks pretty good, it's one of those Academy issues with the separately-molded vinyl tires, the date is 1992. Here she is:

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The base of the turret basket is molded as a solid piece, which is less than optimum. I've searched on accessories and found the Airwaves set from the UK, 35005, at GMW. The photo shows three frets in the pack and there is no descriptive information. I'm not real big on PE, I'm really only looking for engine grills and turret basket details. Can anyone tell me anything about this set, or recommend another set correct for the Merkava II?

Also, the colurscheme is a bit vague. The instructions offer US Armor Sand FS 30277 (easy enough, an off-the-shelf shade) or a mix of buff, grey and green which presumably will approximate Israeli sand-gray. They neglect to mention which of the two markings options which shade applies to... I'm not clued-up on Israeli markings -- can anyone suggest a good research source?

Cheers,

TB379

Michael Mass has a great book on the M60 Gal that has an explanation of the Israeli marking system, and the info applies to Merkavas as well. It won't do you any good for specific units using the Merk, however. Osprey's Merk book may be of some help also. Best would probably be the IDF modeling site, which I can't recall the web address to, but is somewhere in this thread. Ther are also some good color references in this thread, back a page or two.

On another note, I got a little work done on my M60 C (gimel), basic hull construction, of which I hope to have a pic or two up later today or tomorrow. I'm still wavering as to whether I'm going to do the Gimel, which is basically the 'A3 with Blazer packs and the Urdan cupola, or a Gal Batash. This week's trip to Kansas City will probably tell.....I'll probably be the Gimel, and a Gal Batash later.

Hi RBaer,

Thanks for the info, I'll read back and find that link/data. I'll take a close look at the kit decals and if they sem suspect in any way I'll find some AMs. I have an article or two on the Merkava but no dedicated text, I should really get one!

Cheers,

Tb379

Well the sucks and sound's like you and I have some of the same problems. ((They come in and JUST TRASH what your working on)) an don't tell you untill you find it. So I know just how you feel. To fix it I need you if you feel like it and you may can make it look like it was hit by an RPG- round but first I need to see a pic, if you don't want to post them here E-Mail them to me and I think I can get THE Awsome Doog to help you out. Have you see what that man can do the a tank in making it look bombed out. An putting foliage camouflage just may not look right in a desert region. The foliage  may not be a good Idea. It's up to you, as for me I'm getting back to work so I can get one of my builds done soon.

Ok all I'm back to work on my MUTT w/TOW Project.

I got my Figures in:

I'll start on the base once I get my mutt's done. Ok back to work on the mutt I know that I have a hard time painting the grills in on projects this small so what I did was sand off the back to my mutt's molded in grill and use some brass mesh to make a new one. I know a lot will ask why do that if your not going to put and engine in it. See I just wanted to, I used a black sharpie to color it and suprer glued it in place.

You know mabe some one will see this and make one with and engine in it as I have looked but I can't find any images of the engine to try and build one from scratch. I would if I could ever get any images of the engine. Oh I whent back and fixed the TOW mount hand grips, I used Squadron green putty to fill in the plastic hole's for the mounting of the plastic ones. This was done to help the Brass strips that I made into the hand grips hold on better. (I should have shot images befor putting on the parts sorry).

White, for Mutt engine pics, ck out the MPVA, Military Vehicle Preservation Association, headquartered in Kansas City (where I happen to be at the moment). You should find plenty of info on restored Mutts.

So, as I alluded to on one of my latter posts, I visited a hobby shop here in KC, as I do every time I visit this fair city, with the goal of picking up a set of Friul tracks, stocked at the same hobby shop I like to visit each time I visit this fair city, yada yada yada......

OK, no Merkava tracks, so no Magach Gal. Stock of Friul tracks down significantly, mainly because, according to staff at hobby shop, a couple of boxes got "walked off with" after last re-stock. I was flabbergasted, to think that someone involved in this hobby, would steal from the LHS. Is nothing sacred?

I did, however score a set of tracks for a Hellcat (in the stash) for $21.50, out the door. All is not lost. I will be out for another 7 or 8 days, then maybe post up some pics of the progress of the Meagach C that I am now (for sure) building.

Gotta get off my cousin's computer, Cya.

Thanks RBaer I found the link: http://www.flmvpa.org/articles/armymotors_gill.htm

I also found a lots of othere images of that motor to. I'll see what I can wip up. You know the motor in that mutt is of an older model but it's a good place to start.

Here's the engine of the Ford MUTT that I'm working on. http://devoskm.tripod.com/id17.html

See the older version was a flat head with the plugs on top, the version I'm working on has the plugs on it's side. Thank's for pointing me in the right direction.

russianfist wrote:

Is their time for a new guy to get in on this build?

Why yes my new friend tell us what you plan to work on. (Shalom Alekem)

Well I had an idea about a "what if" SPG built on a Merkava chasis with an AMX 30 turret assembly.

I do have a WW2 U.S half track that I was thinking about converting to IDF as well.

If I was was really brave I would get one of those AEF designs rolling block house's/engineering vehicles.

Ah, where to start?

I am in the middle of moving so it will be a couple day's before I can get started and decide what to build. 

Ok thanks for letting me in.

I will keep you posted.

I'll try and get some pics up soon.  Although I'm thinking if they have one, getting a replacement with my kicker check.  If I can find the regular release since I still haev all the IDF SHOT stuff that is undamaged.  Everything that makes it an IDF tank pretty much.  If not I might just pick up a Merkava.  Been meaning to pick one up one of these days, but I was planning on early next year, and doing a super detailed build on it.  This might update my plans.  I don't know how well I could model something that is burnt out like that.  Of course, I suppose 'tis better to attempt it and screw it up rather then just dump the whole tank to the garbage heap and parts bin.

On a high note, I was rummaging through some boxes, and turns out, the parts for my Skyline that were tossed int he garbage weren't tossed out afterall.  I've got them, and I have that R-34 well on the way to being finished.  In fact the interior is almost complete already.  I'm very stoked about it.  I can't wait to get it done.  After it's done I'm gonna put up a post over in the auto section.

Can't wate to see the work on your R-34 as well. Good luck on any work you do on the old tank. I'll have some new pix up soon I'm working on my MUTT right now.

say what do you all think about the new face of Scale Auto's site?

Just finished moving.

Looking for my project kits now

Im leaning toward doing a kitbash, I just have to locate them,LOL.

I'm wishing I had'nt built my Nagma sho't yet.

That was a fun build.

OK, back in town, had a few hours here and there to work on the M60 base kit. Pics have a lousy backdrop (cluttered) but progress is happening.

Basic lower hull, filled and textured

Same, different view. Motorization holes are a drag.

Basic hull and turret. Mantlet is Tamiya, gun (only sleeved 105 I had around is some Chinese copy) for -A3, green parts all Academy.

Barrel is lowered, headlight guards detailed up a little with missing braces and some weld beads. I plan to build an "obstacle clearing device" for the front, so tow hooks not on. Extra tow points on rear maybe not accurate, time-wise, but they came out OK. All weld beads are plastic strip, softened with Tenax and textured with a needle file tip. Wind sensor is from the same kit the barrel is from, detail is a little soft. Infantry phone on rear is spruced up a little bit, just enough to not look like a blob. All the suspension arms are "lowered" about 3 mm, and the kit T142 tracks will be used, with one link removed. I may mix up the road wheels, some steel, some aluminum. Comments welcome, sorry for the long post, haven't been around for a little while.