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Post by rbaer on Mar 16, 2015 12:05:57 GMT -5
Something I've wanted to do for quite a while, Academy's Merk4LIC, with a Legends "basket and balls" kit and SpadeAce tracks. I also have a couple of Valkyrie figs and the ET Models droid, but after having done one for the Magava, I may not be up for that right now. I'll decide after I do the ball and chain armor.... Anyway, basic construction started last night, and I have two main observations: 1) This is a BIG tank. 2) The kit is typical Academy: simplified but easy to assemble, excepting the mold lines in virtually every part. So, it begins:  Above, basic hull, textured before installation of belly armor. Below, some slight enhancement of the very basic ans largely incorrect Academy idler mounts. I could get on a soap box here....  And below, progress so far, road wheels, final drives, and idlers (soap box again?) started.  More as it happens, cheers! |
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Post by wbill76 on Mar 16, 2015 13:59:39 GMT -5
Not surprising in your choice of subject Russ! Should be fun to watch this one come together.  |
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Post by TRM on Mar 16, 2015 17:10:12 GMT -5
Very nice!! Another sexy IDF girl on the bench!!  Count me in! |
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Post by dupes on Mar 16, 2015 17:26:46 GMT -5
Innnnteresting!
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Post by rbaer on Mar 17, 2015 10:39:06 GMT -5
Bill, what can I say? Todd, dupes, I'll try and keep it fun, but we'll see what happens when it's ball and chain time.  |
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Post by deafpanzer on Mar 17, 2015 18:53:43 GMT -5
Of course I knew it... another IDF!!! WHY NOT!!! You have my attention too... LOL
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Post by rbaer on Mar 18, 2015 12:00:23 GMT -5
I just can't help myself, Andy. I like IDF stuff.
Glad to have you, get comfortable, as this one will probably be pretty slow in happening.
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Post by rbaer on Mar 25, 2015 10:48:27 GMT -5
Oy, progress. Suspension arms, idlers finished up, idler mounts finished (probably) and just for grins, I put the turret halves together. Man this thing is big. I ran into a slight hiccup on the Legends turret basket: Legends would have you leave a rather large gap between the turret sides and the basket sides, when there should only be a wee tiny space in there, so I've filled it, then will scribe/cut the very slight gap back in later.    And just for kicks, shots next to a Tamiya King Tiger:   I've stood next to the Tiger2P at Bovington, (drool away) and can say from personal experience that it's BIG. Well, the Merk4 is just as big if not bigger, just lower and wider. Pow! |
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Post by deafpanzer on Mar 25, 2015 13:01:48 GMT -5
Nice comparison between the KT and Merkava... I didn't realize how huge Merkava!
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Post by rbaer on Mar 26, 2015 11:00:28 GMT -5
I didn't either, other than it being bigger that a Sherman or something. This really puts it in perspective.
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Post by wbill76 on Mar 26, 2015 14:25:01 GMT -5
Coming along nicely Russ! It's always neat to see how modern subjects stack up to the previous generations size-wise...modern stuff is pretty hefty in its own right for sure. |
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Post by Leon on Mar 26, 2015 16:24:44 GMT -5
Making good progress Russ ! I'll be following along. |
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Post by rbaer on Mar 26, 2015 17:04:10 GMT -5
Leon, Bill: thanks.
Bill, I agree with you on size vs age, seems like things are getting pretty huge. The old offense/defense/mobility thing I guess, and everything you've gotta have to cart around a 120mm gun.
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M1Carbine
Senior Member
Member since: November 2012
Posts: 1,630
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
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Post by M1Carbine on Mar 26, 2015 23:10:51 GMT -5
Russ - im in for this. I enjoyed building mine and looking forward to see how you tackle this beast.
Bob
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Post by rbaer on Mar 27, 2015 11:18:53 GMT -5
Thanks, Bob. I followed yours and will be peeking back at it occasionally, as this progresses. I've also get the MMiR issue that has two of them built, one with the Legends LIC upgrade. Should be a good comparison between the Academy and Legends LI-specific parts. So far, Acad has done pretty good. So, pics of last nights work:  After (are you ready, sitting down?) counting rivets on the exhaust vanes, I'm nearly blind, so all I did was cut out the putty I put in the turret/basket gap and re-do it with styrene strip. Much better, but now I can't see....  So... next was using a piece of wire in a hot-knife to make about 32 holes in each idler and enlarge them to the proper size wit ha handfull of new #11 blades.  I had done this already (yes, this is the second set of idlers I've done for this thing) but made the holes too big. In fact, this set has some of the holes plugged with rod stock, sanded flat and re-done. I'm ready for the rubber room now. |
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Post by mrt51 on Mar 27, 2015 13:31:34 GMT -5
Looking great!
Terry
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Post by rbaer on Mar 30, 2015 14:05:27 GMT -5
Thanks, Terry. Not much to show, weather's been too nice here, but I did poke around a bit last night, firstly covering up the unholy sponson bottoms. There's just enough visible through the last skirt on each side, and it's the right thing to do.  and then, since I'd pretty much shot the evening, I figured I'd do the back door and rear baskets:  The baskets actually fit nicely, rear door okay. |
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Post by wbill76 on Mar 31, 2015 16:33:37 GMT -5
Ah the distractions of spring time weather!  Progress is good Russ and the baskets look right at home. |
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Post by rbaer on Apr 1, 2015 10:04:21 GMT -5
Thanks, Bill.
Yep, the back porch is lovely this time of year, and it's just cool enough at night for a nice little fire in the pit.
More bits last night, but still not pic-worthy. I also pulled the rear parts of the sponson covers and did some more bracing in the upper hull to correct the warp I only saw when I looked at the above pic. Cool beans.
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M1Carbine
Senior Member
Member since: November 2012
Posts: 1,630
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
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Post by M1Carbine on Apr 2, 2015 0:30:52 GMT -5
Russ - looking real nice buddy!
Bob
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Post by rbaer on Apr 2, 2015 10:25:09 GMT -5
Thanks, Bob. I attempted to do some strainghtening of the rear upper hull area, and got closer by popping the rear parts of the psonson covers off and adding more shim to what I already had in there, and now the rear crew hatch looks like it's crooked. I may pop that off and see what can be done, but it's parallel to the sides of the rear hull overhang/fuel cells, so I dunno..... See what I mean?  Some of that is due to the angle I took the pic at, but the bottom of the hatch needs to be parallel to the hull bottom. Head scratching.... Luke, the warpage is strong...... I have the gun tube together, cleaned up and primed, still needs the small parts added, and I've got the T/C's hatch done. The pad/seal is added by me, and you may notice one of the linkage rods visible is white. One for the floor monster.  And the T/C hatch area on the turret is getting some parts. Areas that will be hard to paint once assemble is done are getting a shot of Humbrol #29, a dead ringer for the base coat I'll be using.  More later, me hopes. |
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Post by deafpanzer on Apr 2, 2015 21:11:58 GMT -5
Catching up... it is starting to look pretty sexy now!
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Post by rbaer on Apr 3, 2015 10:39:04 GMT -5
Big and sexy, please...... Not goin' there at all, no sir. Okay, rear end tidied up:  It's still not totally square, but I think I can wiggle the port-side mid flap and fool the eye, at least mine anyway. Gun tube:  And bits and pieces:  I'm still trying to work paint into the nooks and crannies, mainly because as usual, I'll be using a rattle can to do the base coat, and I don't want to flood the model with paint trying to get into all these little hidey-holes. This tank has a LOT of them, more so then even a Magach. I'm pretty sure this will pay off later. Pic below:  Hasta next week!
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Post by wing_nut on Apr 3, 2015 10:43:21 GMT -5
Looks sweet so far. I'll try to be mature and not make jokes about "balls". Yeah, let's see how that works out |
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Post by rbaer on Apr 3, 2015 14:38:21 GMT -5
Thanks. It's usually a lost cause from the git-go...... Hidey-holes, balls, cracks.... it goes on. And on....  |
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Post by rbaer on Apr 7, 2015 10:18:10 GMT -5
A wee bit more last night:   It's kind of hard to see, but I've got the gunner's and commander's sights together and on, still need to add the etch cage to the T/C's sight, some more bits, loader's hatch, (disappointingly closed is the only option here), T/C's hatch and more pre-painting. I'm very much afraid of losing the texture of the anti-slip under paint, so I'm setting up to use as little primer and base coat as possible.... hopefully. |
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Post by Tojo72 on Apr 7, 2015 11:24:55 GMT -5
Looking good,really on an Israeli roll.
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 7, 2015 14:31:26 GMT -5
Coming along nicely Russ!
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Post by dupes on Apr 7, 2015 21:02:38 GMT -5
"IDFaholic" doesn't sound quite as good as "Shermaholic"...going to have to come up with a better name for what you are, Russ. |
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Post by TRM on Apr 8, 2015 7:19:46 GMT -5
Another awesome project unfolding!! Well done so far Russ!! Some amazing detailing as usual!! Damn these things are sexy!! |
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Count me in!
Progress is good Russ and the baskets look right at home. 
