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

Cool....

Should we move to "GB's", and just do finished models in this forum?

Nah not yet.  We haev so much in progress stuff here, and questions/answers.  When the time comes I'll make a new thread for finished builds.  Probably in another month or so.

Speaking of progress, I just pulled out my damaged centurian.  It's way too far messed up.  My best bet is to just get another AFV Club Centurrion.  Just the regular one, or if I can find it, all the parts for the lower hull and running gear, and then go from there.  The lower hull and running gear are just way too far messed up.  After I do that I can adapt all the IDF parts over, no big deal.  I just gotta get the $$ to do so as I am out of work right now.

OK.....

Good luck on the Cent.

Ok you all I'm still here sorry I have not posted any thing yet, but I have good news I have just ordered the tank I wanted to build and I'm sorry once again it's not going to be the Merkava Mk 4 It will be the Merkava Mk 3 with added turit armor,an It will look a lot like the Mk 4. I just found a link that show just what I'm going to do to my tank. The 1st front Image is of this type of (Merkava Mk 3) and the 13th and 14th images show the side of the tank. That's what I will do to my tank once it gets here. I'll have new images of my Ford MUTT up soon.

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/merkava/MerkavaMk3.html

fantacmet you need some quick $$ right? well you live in a rely wooded place right well you may want to huck up with one of those logging camps to get so quick $$. Or sale some of the trees around your home for some quick $$.

Hay you can all way donate: http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/

there are othere thing you can donate but I'm not going to say it here. (A S&@* Bank) you know you can go over to one of your local University's an sine up for one Science Experiments I'm sorry they can't pay you till they see the Experiment results. Like a new arm growing from you back how about a new eye you'll have 3. OH Goodness I have to stop now my chest hurts just can't stop

Later yall.

Factamet, good luck on finding work. Being local to some of the best micro-breweries in the country, you could always be a professional beer taster.....

I got a little done on my Magach, while waiting for paint to dry on the two models I actually FINISHED (pat on back) for the Squadron Scalefest this weekend, no pics yet, maybe tonight.

Links for the ones that are building the Mk. II

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/merkava/MerkavaMk2.html

IDF M60 MBT:

http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m60.php

http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/M60.html

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=1459

M60 Tank images only:

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor152.htm

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor162.htm

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor_04_294.htm

last image a want to be Merkava!

Some Merkava info:

http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/Mekava.htm

Merkava tank images only.

Merkava I:

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor109.htm

Merkava II:

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor111.htm

Merkava III:

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor113.htm

SPG on a Merkava body that thing look's awesome man here some from the past.

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor_04_293.htm

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor_04_213.htm

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor018.htm

And some IDF Centurion Modifed tanks are on the bottom site as well.

And a what the @%% is this:

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/IL_Armor_04_282.htm

Talking about just putting any thing together! "WEARD"

All the images come from here:

http://www.davidpride.com/Israeli_Armor/Armor_index.htm

You all see what happons when you just can't sleep some nights. Later you all I'm going back to sweep...........................................................................!

Thanks for the links White_R34, there's lots of good info there! I've bookmarked that big page on the Merk II.

Speaking of which, I'm hoping to get back to her in the not too distant future. I have my Tiger to finish for Big Cats, and the way she's moving along I'm guessing a couple of weeks should see her in the display case and a second badge on my signature line. Then I'll throttle-up on the Merkava and complete my first Israeli build.

Good stuff here, spectacular builds coming along,

Cheers,

TB379

Hello you all I have a problem with my Mk 3 turret oh and I'm sorry for spelling turret like this-(turit) any way I found the type of turret I need but It's not like I can't try and build it from scratch or buy the full turret from Legend through Sq at a cost of 76.49 I'm going to think on this issues for 2 day one night and I'll let you all know what I'm going to do about this problem.

I found some cool images of what I want to build at a 3D site look here.

http://www.precise3d.com/warehouse/idf-merkava-mkiiid-mbt-3d-model-p-35.html?products_id=35

I also found a link that shows how to mask of parts of the upper hull and turret to get that spray in bed liner look. Oh I'm sorry FSF for posting this link to a dif-forum but by the end of my build this type of info will be on FineScale and In more detail I mite add.

http://alpharettalinex.com/myPictures/Copy+of+shop+pics+05+016.jpg

http://www.militarymodelling.com/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=1269&URN=17&dt=4&srchdte=0&cp=1&v=6&sp=

Just give me 2 day and one night to think of what to do, and I'll start on this project.

A wee bit of progress on the Magach......

Lots else going on, plus a shaky hand last night- this is the best of several pics. Now on to the obstacle bar, mantlet framing for the ERA, smoke dischargers and some hull detail.

Hay (RBaer) love the your work on that turret. By the way I just got a back issue of ARMOR Mag. that Has a fully scratch built turret and lower hull interior lay out. Here's a link to that issue:

http://squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=AP99315&Submit3=Go

It's cheep.

Once I was looking through the mag, an saw the M60 build up I thought of you and your build. I think that if you ever wanted to build one some time from now that this book or mag will help out a lot.

Ok you all the answer is that I will keep doing what I do best Scratch Building.

On to me Merkava Mk. IIID Conversion:I stated on the Lower hull's exterior and then went to work on the rear hach. I filled in the open space under the top of the lower hull above the tracks., with .020 thick styrene, this type was used for the floor on the interior as well. the opening of the rear hack is from .015 thick styrene.

I have images of some of the interior that are not clear but I will make do. The rear hach or door splits up, one peace lifts up and the bottem half go's down. Once I see some more images of the right shape of the two part's I will cut my rear hach/door. [I have maked cutting lines]:

Ok now about the top of the turret I had to make up a CITV Camera pod as the old style is not used on the D version.  [It's not done yet]

I do have turret interior photos that will help me out some.

I have drawn black lines for the placement of items that I will build from scratch.

I did the same for the lower hull also. [Oh] an the lower part of the turret is not glued yet as I'm still working in it.

As for the half moon hach opening I know that on the D version it should be round and that held me up for a day. I was thinking should I even be trying this, I asked my self in my mind? The answer was yes. On day 2 today I was work on the wheels and looked up an saw a bottle cap that looked just right.

So I marked of the top of the cap and cut off just the top and placed it on the turret and made an out line around it for where I need to make the new cut's and were I need to fill space in.

The black lines on the out side of the turret are for the placement of the plate that I will make.

Ok you all I need to walk my dog I will be right back to give you the rest of the work I have bean doing for these last 2 days.

Well on to the wheels.

The big bladed roller wheels in the rear should have holes in there sides. I didn't know this till I found this pic:

So I marked were each blade is so I could pick the spots to drill at. [Wheel on the left has the holes and the one on the right has the spots marked.

I'm thinking of making the holes a bit bigger.

The next roller wheel we need to look at is the one's just passed the first drive wheel. It's a bladed type of wheel. First some info on that wheel it realy should not be on any of the Mk.III D types at all. This wheel is realy for the Mk II [Full Production an Sevice Line]. This wheel poped up on the Merkava Mk. III's Prototype or concept version. In photos of the Service versions you will only see the full steel type wheel and the wheel with rubber on them [NO bladed wheels]  Look here for images of Merkava Mk. III wheels:

http://idfmodelling.free.fr/merkava3.html

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=101396&page=5

The Wheel on the left is the bladed wheel and the wheel on the right it the right look that I will need. I cut off the back part to make the wheel flat so I can mold it and make some new resin ones, to replace the bladed ones. [Oh] an the holes are what I see in some of these type of wheels an the full steel ones to. So I maked them first, once I make some small dips in those spots an make the molds I will know where to drill on the resin one's.

If any one is going to try this you will need to do the same with the back wheels.[Hole Drill Spots Only] No need to make resin copys as the kit has all that you will need unless you want that all steel look. You can get that look two ways buy a resin kit or do the first step on the first roller wheel frount and drill out all your holes and paint the full wheel with rubber tire in place one color to look like a full steel wheel. Oh (Remeber you will need to flip the rubber tire over to the plane side then paint them.

Ok new rear hach update I have just got some new images of the rear hach tack'in from a new angel an I see what shape the lower part. An how it should look and how the two parts fit back together. The lower half is just a small ramp. HAHAHA I also got some new images of more of the turret to, "MAN" it's small in there. The driver's seat or space is so small it looks like the only way in is from above. But I will keep looking around and asking about the lower hull's interior to see if the driver can get to his seat bay coming from the rear. [It realy look like he can't] any way I do know that the rear is where they keep the Shells an 50 cal amo box's and some times they can move the amo & shells to make room for solders to seat back there like the Bradley or LAVs and some times it will dubble up as a medic unit. The reson I wanted to do some of the interior is that I see a lot of these types of IDF tanks done and unlike mini of the  U.S. versions and some of the old German Tanks have the interiors done in them, but I don't see any one doing thiese version with an interior as of yet, so I thought I should take the time an do one. So maybe one day one of these companys will come up with a resin kit for them [All the Merkava Versions]. I'll be back with more pix and work done.

Moving along very nicely, White_R34. I have some time coming up this weekend, hope to make some more progress then.

R34, Terrific work, I can really appreciate a major conversion. Your research is impressive too! Can't wait to see all this pay off at the finish line!

I've decided to order the Airwaves PE set for the Merk II, and have found an outlet for Eureka tow cables, so those are in the postage-inquiry stage. Hopefully they'll be in the mailbox in a couple of weeks, and I can get back to it. I don't want to do too much detailing at this point in case I decide to go with some of the PE details (pigs may in fact fly!) It's just the turret basket floor I'm after, but I'm curious to see what's on the other two frets.

So I'll be pursuing the Tiger for Big Cats in the meantime, and starting on my 1969 Corsair build soon too.

Cheers,

TB379

Thank's Thunder I do love the research aspect of Military Modeling. Your going to get your mail orders just give it some time. I'm going to keep the kit cabel ends an make my own cabels. As for my Mk.III turret basket, your right in your thinking the floor is a biggy. I'm go to build my turret basket  from .015 plane sheet styrene for the sides and .010 strip for the lines in the sides and rear and the floor (After thinking about it over night) it will come from .010 clear with holes drilled through it an .015 for the border parts. Well I'm going to build it here any way. So step by step your going to see how this is done. A lot of my scratch-building is an attempt at saving money. I have some more info for you all building the Merkava tank [Only] on the top of the Mk.II,III turret you should see this:

and some of you may ask what is it for?, I don't have any thing to put in the hole. HAHAHA Nothing go's in the hole it's a 60mm Mortor with a range of 2,700 meters. That range is longer with the new units like on the Late Mk.III (Version I'm Building & new Mk.IV. Oh an the new versions are controlled by a computer. The old versions by hand.

I have some more info about that cool looking Self Propelled Gun on the merkave tank chassis. I need to do a quote first.

russianfist wrote:

Thanks, It's been alot of fun so far. After some research I found that the IDF has a Howitzer build on a merk chassis that looks alot like the project I'm doing now. It's called Sholef (gunslinger or slammer) and it uses and American built 155MM gun in a Soltam built turret. So, the only logical name to give my kit is Sholef MK2 (I like gunslingerII). I have dry fit the the turret,AS-90 barrel,manlet,gun craddle. Now that I look at it, this looks alot like the original Sholef.  I need to find some external storage box's and I think I will be able to get moving on this turret.

I like the new name Sholef MK2 (I like gunslingerII). Ater going back and rereading over what you posted the only info I have to give is that, It's loged as a Heavy Artillery unit based on a Merkave Mk. II Chassis and that the old ones are called Soltam Sholef (Slammer). A 155mm Self Propelled Fast Moving Howitzer and the Merkava Slammer has a crew of 8. Here's some images of the the old "Slammer":

Good luck on getting some new decals. But once I get the tank done [Painted] I'll see what markings I have left an may be able I can help you out.

Hi R34,

OH! That's a MORTER hole! I was wondering!

Scratchbuilding a turret basket in 1:35 -- I'll be very interested to see how it goes! In my IP M1 project, converting Tamiya's early M1 to uprated standard, I had meant to scratchbuild the bustle rack, and basically I fiddled with it for years (it held up the project for a very long time), heat-forming rod around a mold (that was the easy part) for the lateral bars, and cutting and drilling plasticard as the angle brackets, aligning them over a purpose-made jig, and finally I had to admit defeat. At larger scale I might have managed it, in 1:35 I didn't have a chance, the relative error factor of my best dexterity was just too great. I gave up, bought the cheapest M1A1 I could find and raided it for the rack parts. The rest won't go to waste, one day I'll use the chassis for a scratchbuild Grizzly conversion, and the main gun will find a home somewhere too.

The Sholef is FANTASTIC!!! I can see a major conversion for my exotic armour collection happening -- resin cast (unless there's an AM?) a 155 from another kit (is it the same gun as the M109?), scratchbuild the turret and mount it on a Merk 2 chassis -- VERY NICE! It'll go with my planned M2001 Crusader and Giat GCT/Leopard combo... Any links to research data would be most appreciated!

The Merk II PE set is now on its way, next I'll chase up those tow cables.

Cheers,

TB379

Thanks White R_34 those are some good pics.

I have some more progress done and viewing the last post I see what I thought was just another view port is in fact a MORTER!!!! Wow............

I will try to post some by this weekend.......started a new position at work and Im BEAT!!!!

Beautiful work here so far, I hope you all dont mind if I barrow some idea's???

Hey Fantacmet?

 Are you a member of the IPMS club in portland and are you going to the show in september?

Just curious, I try to make it to the Goose and see the show every year (oh, and did I mention compete? LOL).

Ok Thunder & Russian the word was miss spelled by me. the words right spelling is mortar. As for that info I'll see what I can come up with. An the meaning of mortar hole if you use the right spelling is a depression formed in the ground after a mortar shell lands or hit's it's mark. An [morter] from  you question: morter hole - A thick viscous material used to hold concrete or cement together. In the future if any of you see that I have miss spelled any thing just tell me, that I've miss spelled it. Don't ask me the meaning that's just be-ing cynical. I'll look up info on thinks from time to time but if thing's like this are going to happen more frequently. I'm just NOT!!! going to post or add any thing. An YES that means no comments on some realy good work an definitely no help of any kind. just a lot of cynasism. (I wont say any thing bad just point out all the flaws).

An in reference to the word HOLE at the end or what you asked. It's to point out that at the top of that part there's a small hole in it. Look closer at the part in the image. Small Part color [BUFF]

:END of Transmission:

M2001 Crusader Information:

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Rifts/Rifts-Pre-Rifts-Vehicles/United_States/US_M2001_Crusader_Self_Propelled_Howitzer.htm

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/crusader.htm

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.blog.yahoo.co.kr/ybi/1/70/0f/sturmgechutz/folder/40/img_40_104_9%3F1201955169.jpg&imgrefurl=http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/sturmgechutz/104.html%3Fp%3D1%26t%3D3&h=1032&w=640&sz=92&hl=en&start=23&um=1&tbnid=3OTtjk2aPYZAdM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3DM2001%2BCrusader%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS268%26sa%3DN

Yes the Big gun it the same as the M109 155mm SP Howitzer. Key words :M109 155mm SP Howitzer:

The M2001 Crusader seam's to still be in it's concept stage. It would be good to see some one build it in 1/35. For now the only images are in digital format.

I only see real images of the M109 right now.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/3408/thumbs/M109-155mm-05.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/showgallery.php/cat/3408&h=98&w=100&sz=4&hl=en&start=38&um=1&tbnid=6ou5C0rF_q7m6M:&tbnh=80&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3DM2001%2BCrusader%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS268%26sa%3DN

The Giat GCT information:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Giat_155mm_GCT_(155mm_AUF1)_Self-propelled_Guns.JPEG

AMX-30 & Giat GCT side by side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DD-SD-00-00118.JPEG

The Leopard Tank information: The tank and it's history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_1

The new larger Leopard Tank is a good base to put a 155mm gun and the housing should be the one like that of Russians tank. An AMX-30 turret, for a more Aggressive looking.

http://www.enemyforces.com/tanks/leopard2a5.htm

Now I'm not putting up any images as it will not be built for this IDF build I don't think?

 Good luck with this information.

White_R34 I just have to say, I've looked around at some of your owrk and it's all been really good, but so far on this GB, your level has just jumped way beyond waht you normally do(which is like I said already really good work), and your work on this project is just phenomenal.  IT's an absolutely stellar, build.  However you are kind of shooting yourself in the proverbial foot with it.  Now that we've seen you raise the bar this far on your own work, we are going to expect this level of craftsmanship on EVERY build from here on out.  LOL.

 Seriously though great work you've been doing, and that everyone has been doing.  I've never seen such quality work coming from every single build in a GB before.  This is my first time hosting a GB, and the fact that ever participants work is of such caliber, it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.  I think what I am going to do when I get the replacement kit, is document the build with plenty of photo's and write an article around it.  So I won't realy be able to post much on it at all, and maybe only one or two photo's just to show you I've been doing it.  I will write the article around the premise of like say, "anatomy og a group build" or something to that effect.  Of course the article would include a URL to the GB thread, so everyone can see your work.  I've been wanting to write an FSM article for some time, but I'm not a sculpter, so that's out, I'm not a scratchbuilder, or a super detailer so those are out.  They don't print much auto related stuff, leaving that mostly to Scale Auto.  So I have been at a loss as to what kind of an article to write.  This is perfect.  FSM is one of the only magazines in existence that not only accepts, but encourages readers to submit articles, and then publishes alot of reader submitted articles.  Other mags just want articles by professional writers.  For now all I can say is KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK PEOPLE!

Hehehe, this will also give me an excuse to build up a semi permanant, photography spot.

OK I will keep up all this high level of work. I have bean up all night off and on working on the Merkava turret. later to day I will post some weard look upper armor plating that I have scratch built. You know the sun comes up on you fast when you not looking. I love a lot of the FSM article as well. Now that I see what your going to be up to it's ok with me if you set this build out to do your article. An I'll keep do that high level of work I've started here.

Later "yall"

White_R34 wrote:

Ok Thunder & Russian the word was miss spelled by me. the words right spelling is mortar. As for that info I'll see what I can come up with. An the meaning of mortar hole if you use the right spelling is a depression formed in the ground after a mortar shell lands or hit's it's mark. An [morter] from  you question: morter hole - A thick viscous material used to hold concrete or cement together. In the future if any of you see that I have miss spelled any thing just tell me, that I've miss spelled it. Don't ask me the meaning that's just be-ing cynical. I'll look up info on thinks from time to time but if thing's like this are going to happen more frequently. I'm just NOT!!! going to post or add any thing. An YES that means no comments on some realy good work an definitely no help of any kind. just a lot of cynasism. (I wont say any thing bad just point out all the flaws). An in reference to the word HOLE at the end or what you asked. It's to point out that at the top of that part there's a small hole in it. Look closer at the part in the image. Small Part color [BUFF] :END of Transmission:

I spelled it wrong too, I thought it was suposed to be spelled morter.

The truth is that I am a very poor speller as I have a bit of dislexia.

Mortar/Morter......LMAO........ One make's a HOLE and the other one FILL's it!!! LOLOLOLOLOL

I hope ther's no hard feeling's

Some progress on the Sholef MK2.

Im deciding to change the drivers hatch and add the proto thermal imager from the LeClerc.

Also a french .50 cal from the AMX-30 kit.

I will open the back so we can see the loading bay and I think I will put a figure on the open door.

The mortar tube will be installed by the imager as well as a hand rail/brush guard.

I put a screen in the bustle rack and i will add some tie downs next for the gear.

I will soon start the lower hull by enclosing the sponsons and adding the side armor, however I'm not real sure about putting them on yet.

I will not install the spades because I don't see them in pic's of the Sholef MK1 and they are not used on the AMX-30.

I may still put a dozer blade on still but that will require serious surgery and I don't want to over do it on this project.

A person could get carried away and get over their head pretty fast, I better stick to the basics. LOL

Russian my comment was not pointed at you my Armor Friend an like you I am dyslexic I read slow some times write my words backward. An the last Specialist told me there's a block between my brain and my hands. [It's a form of dyslexia] I think of what I want to say but to get it to come out where any one could at that time read it was where my block was. I have gone through a lot of programs to help me get past that block. Sorry you all for getting So Russ you in good company.

Ok on to the armor plate on my turret. I made some borders to hold the shape of each plate block, but I don't know if I should go on and do one of two things. First I can cut out the shapes in .015 sheet or Two fill in the spaces with putty (Like making a Concrete sidewalk). I'm going to try the first one but if it look's to thick I'll have to fall back on filling it in.

http://www.pawsativechoice.com/images/Img319.jpg

As for the new round turret I'm going to have to fill in the gaps. An then layer some rings I have cut out from that .015 sheet putting them one on one to make the new turret hach hold.

These images are a little old as right know I'm working on the side armor. The sides have a lot of angel shapes and it's going to take some time to get them to come out right. But once I get some thing that looks good I'll post the new images later tomrrow. Wish me luck. Oh I forgot I'm working on the hatch cover along with the side armor.

Oh and one last thing, I don't know if any of you are working on othere projects but I have stoped all othere projects till I get this tank and jeep done. Then I'll go back to the othere's.

Good luck on your projects guys.