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Post by rbaer on Jan 8, 2015 13:51:06 GMT -5
A while ago I saw a CG image of something I thought was pretty neat, so when a "Fantasy MBT" GB started up on another forum, this was my subject. It's a blend of spare parts, to depict a Merkava turret on a Magach hull. I haven't been able to find the original pic that got me started, but how much do I really need?  So. Academy Merk2 turret and Italeri M60 hull, Merk wheels, Merk tracks, and lots of Evergreen and Plastruct. So far I have the hull in good shape, belly armor done, Merkava wheels modified enough that they're not instantly recognizable, bow armor done and on, and the engine access doors changed up enough to look "modern". Pics so far: Below, rear engine area, belly armor and mounts, slightly improved final drives:  Here is the side view, showing the Academy Merk wheels, different "styles", and idler. Drive sprocket is also Academy Merk, with clearance holes added by me:  Next, side-loading air cleaners with armor:  Here is a shot of the front of the belly armor, and simple bolted mounts:  And finally, a shot of the added bow armor:  I have an ET Model "droid" ordered, figured it would be appropriate on something as spacey-looking as this. I also plan on doing side skirts and just replenished my stock of Evergreen and Plastruct white stuff. I also have enough left-over Friul Merk1 and -2 track, from three previous builds, to do this one, probably- if not, I have a couple sets in the stash. That's the beauty of doing Magachs on Merkava track, there's always a lot of left-over links since Merkavas use around 15 more links per side than Magachs. Anyway, so far the only thing I've bought specifically for this build is the droid, for all of $8. Otherwise, it's all from spare parts, what I call a "stash depleter".... |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jan 8, 2015 15:09:40 GMT -5
WHOA! That's a lot of scratching!!! Dig the additional armor at the bottom too!
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Post by TRM on Jan 8, 2015 15:30:41 GMT -5
I can see that happening!! LOL!! Nice one Russ!! Count me in!! You seem to be well on your way too!! Great scratchin'!!
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Post by Leon on Jan 8, 2015 16:52:56 GMT -5
WOW!!! That is awesome scratch work Russ  .I'll be following along.  |
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Post by dupes on Jan 8, 2015 23:07:29 GMT -5
I'm just trying to picture the endless bin of Academy/Italeri/ERTL/Tamiya IDF parts you draw from to whip all of this stuff up. Impressive!
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Post by rbaer on Jan 9, 2015 11:31:54 GMT -5
Thank, Gents! I do have a plethora of spares, no doubt about it. Leon, your -A2 got me thinking..... Dupes, I've got some LoModel stuff (remember those old M48/60 "conversion" kits?) that will probably find it's way into this thing too. Here's a shot of the whole belly, probably a little more armor than realistic, but hey, I'll pullin' all of this out of my nether regions anyway..... So last night was a chicks' night, and I now have side skirt mounts almost finished:    I'm leaning towards skirts with the same kind of modular armor as what I've made up for the hull front, hung from the top and supported on the bottom by stand-offs attached to the mid-lower hull, just like the Gal-batash. Should be simple and basic. I also can see that I'll need to considerable bulk up the turret, which should be fun. I actually have two ETModel droids ordered, we'll see how long it takes to import a couple of R2D2's from HK.... |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jan 9, 2015 15:21:24 GMT -5
Oh man, you are really kicking a$$ on this... looking lovely already!!!
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Post by Leon on Jan 9, 2015 16:05:26 GMT -5
WOW!!!!!! Russ glad the A2 got you thinking,this is looking awesome so far  .I was thinking of adding side skirts to the A2 but wasn't sure how to do it so I'll be following yours closely. |
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Post by rbaer on Jan 9, 2015 16:29:02 GMT -5
Thanks, Andy, Leon.
Leon, I debated doing them, but thought that it would be appropriate, given what I'm trying to model here.
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Post by Leon on Jan 9, 2015 17:54:16 GMT -5
Russ! I have to agree with you .Model on bro. |
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Post by rbaer on Jan 12, 2015 11:57:56 GMT -5
So I went with modular-looking side skirts, four pieces per side, and two hangers on the one large piece. Hangers are made from Academy MErk2 hangers, faster and easier than scratching something up.....  I also ginned up the beginnings of turret roof armor, same look:   And since this thing is supposed to be for LIC-type operations, an infantry-to-tank phone was essential:  The phone box is a resin item, origin unknown. ETModel droid kit(s) on the way.... |
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Post by mrt51 on Jan 12, 2015 12:21:08 GMT -5
This is very cool!
Terry
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Post by deafpanzer on Jan 12, 2015 14:49:22 GMT -5
Lovely work on the add on armors!!! Keep it coming buddy...
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Post by rbaer on Jan 12, 2015 18:34:16 GMT -5
Thanks, gentlemen.
I think I may thin the roof armor modules, make it look more like the same stuff on the turret sides, mostly for "artistic continuity"..... or something like that.
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Post by Leon on Jan 12, 2015 19:12:01 GMT -5
Russ! That is some awesome scratch work on the armor. |
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Post by rbaer on Jan 13, 2015 11:31:04 GMT -5
Thanks, Leon! Okay, here's the roof armor after about 30 minutes work this morning:    I popped off the three pieces I did the other night, thinned them bu a tic more than a half-mil, then whipped up a fourth piece to finish covering the turret nose. I also cut out the loader's periscope since it was too low to be of any use. I'll probably cover the hole and move it to the loader's hatch, planning something pretty wild for the loader's close-in armament anyway. |
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Post by TRM on Jan 13, 2015 23:38:55 GMT -5
WOW Russ!! Truly a great build you have going on! Turret roof is looking rather sweet as are the skirts!! Fantastic work my friend!! |
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Post by rbaer on Jan 14, 2015 12:49:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Todd.
It's kind of liberating, modeling without having to be terribly concerned with "accuracy". More soon!
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Post by Deano on Jan 14, 2015 15:10:07 GMT -5
Hi Russ we seem to be jumping on the 'what if' section at the moment , great concept and execution buddy!
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Post by rbaer on Jan 14, 2015 15:48:34 GMT -5
Thaks, Deano.
What-ifs are kind of like being able to do something outlandish in public, but anonymously..... I'm having a blast.
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Post by Leon on Jan 14, 2015 16:21:47 GMT -5
Great work on thinning the roof armor Russ. |
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Post by rbaer on Jan 15, 2015 12:23:38 GMT -5
Thanks, Leon.
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danb.
Reviews member 
March 2013 MoM Winner
Member since: November 2011
Posts: 2,808
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
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Post by danb. on Jan 17, 2015 17:46:55 GMT -5
WOW LOVE IT Dan B |
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Post by dupes on Jan 17, 2015 21:11:48 GMT -5
Looking good to me, Russ!
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Post by rbaer on Jan 20, 2015 13:04:21 GMT -5
Thanks, guys! Commander's LIC-style cupola in progress:  And an idea of where I'm going:   Droids showed up today, thought I had the AFV Club RWS in the stash, but nope, so time to go shopping. |
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Post by TRM on Jan 20, 2015 13:06:20 GMT -5
Keeps getting better and better!! |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jan 20, 2015 13:14:42 GMT -5
I think I am starting to like you very much! LOL Man, this is going to be one of your best builds I can smell it from here...
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Post by rbaer on Jan 20, 2015 14:51:11 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Gotta do all the fun stuff, it's almost time to play ball.....
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Post by wbill76 on Jan 20, 2015 17:10:30 GMT -5
Starting to take on a mean and beefed-up look now Russ, nice!
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Post by Leon on Jan 20, 2015 17:53:52 GMT -5
Rolling right along Russ!Really like the new cupola. |
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.I'll be following along. 
.I was thinking of adding side skirts to the A2 but wasn't sure how to do it so I'll be following yours closely. 
