Merkava MK II: Getting my feet wet!!

[TRM]

Hello all,

As the title suggests, "getting my feet wet", I am coming out of the gate building my 1st Modern IDF!! So, please be gentle!!! LOL!!! I will of course I will have to rely on what I see in pictures, DickyF for his knowledge of modern AFV's and Jaymes Crowther in the world of IDF. Jaymes has been nice enough to push...err, point me in the right direction!! ;D

In all all seriousness, this is a new path for me and I am willing to take on the challenge and learn what I can from you guys that are more versed in the modern world, along the way. I was going to wait on the construction of this, but could not control myself last night and started to clean and add some suspension parts. I will have some pics on that soon.

For now, this is what I am working with.....




This is my kit. Not sure how old this is, but assuming a couple years anyway. I could not pass up this, as with everything seen her in the picture was $40USD at the last AMPS show I attended.



Eduard PE



Cast resin wheels



Fruils...of course I spent some time a couple weeks back assembling 80% of both tracks to not be bogged down in the build with this. I stopped well before the amount needed to complete these....was unclear on the amount of links needed yet!



And of course this had a separate cast turret which, as you can see, has a tremendous amount of more detail added. From what I gathered already from some helpful folks, that this resin turret looks to be a MK II 2B conversion.



I have plans on purchasing an IDF Merkava MKII Turret Basket and Ball Armor set....thinking one from Legend for the moment, since the kit does not come with the ball armor that I wish to add....thes modern girls need their jewerly! Please, if there is another, better option I should be considering, speak up!!! LOL!!

What I guess I will try an accomplish will be to build her up and have a bunch of fun painting and weathering (which I love the most)...chipping, scratches, dirt dust and so on. Like I said, I don't know S**T about these things but willing to learn.

Heading back to the bench to work on the suspension a little more tonight!!



Thank for stopping by!!!

[406 Silverado]

Well it's about time T. I was wondering when you'd start this one. After this build you'll be ready to wreck something again bro. Tracks look great and good idea to bang them out first.

[bigjohn]

Only 40 bucks? The tracks are 40 bucks just by them selves!!!!

One question? where you gonna put the tree? ;D

I'l be following this one buddy!

[TRM]

Thanks Rob!! LOL...oh I thought about killing this one too!!! I am liking the battle beat dirty girl approach too much on these!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Thanks for dropping in!!! The cost of the Fruit-loops did cross my mind when I seen it...added with the look of these....had to grab it!!

[406 Silverado]

You can't beat that deal T. I will be on the look out this Sunday at the show. I need a couple of things but doubt I will find them at an IPMS show.

[deafpanzer]

Overloaded with aftermarkets... this is my kind of build! LOL Count me in of course!

[eastrock]

oh where is the Tiger?!!!! LOL its pack with details buds!!! looking forward with your virgin hands on the modern tank!!!

[brembo]

looks great!...I have a tamiya merkava Mk1 built but not yet painted so willl be keen to see how this comes out.

lookin forward to it.

[wouter]

Nice one T!!! Should be a beauty when finished. About the Legend update set...dunno if it's any good, but the Legend one I used on my Merkava wasn't great, I only used limited parts of it (small PE parts and the barrel). As far as I know Voyager Models do Merkava turret baskets and B'n'C's...you should check out if it's any good for the MkII...I just love Voyager stuff! ;D

Cheers

[bullardino]

Nov 1, 2012 20:23:34 GMT -5 @chriss said:

Not my fault ;D

Neither mine, I must say

It must be Nemo's, as it's modern armor

[TRM]

LOL....I blame Dicky this time....sounds goo to me!! ;D

Worked a little more on the suspension last night...slowed up be a couple seam lines and some filling here and there. Heck, I'm in no rush!! LOL!!

Thanks for the input Wouts!! The Legend Set is just the Basket and B&C's. I will have a peek at the Voyager set today!

With any luck I will have the lower section in good shape over the weekend so I can size the tracks and then hit some masking on the hull deck and turret to prepare for some anti-skit applications!!!

[wbill76]

Nice way to stretch your legs and try out something new T! Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one.

[Deleted]

40 bucks.. bargain or what
Looking forward to this one T

[TRM]

Thanks Bill!!! Know what you mean!! Makes it a bit more fun I think!!

Thanks Steve!! Yeah, all day long you can't leave that on the shelf!!

[danb]

Nice kit there T im on the look out for a Merk i will be keeping an eye on this one build away my freind

Dan B

[spud]

oh Very Cool T, there is a Merk in this Edition of the AK mag. looks over done to me but still awesome.

[406 Silverado]

What, no more pics................LOLOLOL.......I'll get my hat.

[tonylee]

Modern
BAAA HUM BUG

Tony

[TRM]

Dan - Thanks for swinging by!! Hope not to disappoint on this then...count me in when you get the MKI!!!!

Spud - Glad you could make it!! I am niot sure I have seen the "overdone" one yet. I have found some outstanding pics with multi-layer chipping on the turret and tons of dirt and dust!!! Still on the fence where I am going a little but it will be dusty for starters!!! ;D

Nice Rob!! LOL...that was for picking on you about the Pv's wasn't it? LOL!!!

jackwagon - Nice of you to take the blame!! LOL!! The turret on these things is the major building point for me!!! Crazy!!

Tony - LOL...thanks for stopping by just the same!!! Just a little curve!!! Pssst....keep your eyes open though....I have a Pz. IV L/70 on my bench for review right now!!! building soon after!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

OK finally getting to slow down tonight enough to work on something. Moving forward on the suspension and hope to get some pics up tomorrow!!

[spud]

lol. i did say it was still awesome looking forward to yer dusty one

[TRM]

LOL....I like the overdone ones too!!! Still looking through pics on these...WOW, the IDF uses the crap out of their tanks!!! So much weathering to choose from I be getting light headed!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[bbd468]

SHAWEEET!!!! This is gonna be great! Im ready T.- bring it on!!!

Gary

[dupes]

Man, that was a STEAL! See what happens when I skip out on a show one year?? :0

[TRM]

Glad to have you along Gary!!!

LOL...took advantage of that fact this time DUpes!!! The member table AMPS is where it's at!! Got a nice JS152 with the works too!!

[jackh]

Looking good count me in.

[TRM]

Thanks for joining in Jack!!

OK, a small update. I managed to get the suspension figured out along with filling some sinky things along the way. One of the bigger ones you can see here on the front lower plate. The hull identification numbers are placed here. The part given was thick and fit not so good in the hole. I filled the hole and have thinned the number plate down and will glue this on later!



I was just about to add the rear plate and I found some things that needed some attention. The worst of which was the flaps on the fenders. The one on the right, I began to replace with some brass shim stock. These are rubbery and grey/black when painted, but, if you look at the one on the right, it's not hare to see why I had to chop.



Also, I chose to fill in the pre-molded hole for the handle placement. After looking at the pieces I added the clean up factor, due to the mold seams with the chunkiness of the parts and I will replace these with some wire stock.

More to come soon. Tomorrow I am off to IMPS BayCon Show here in MA. and will be hanging with some good friends talking shop!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

[deafpanzer]

Looking real good! Hope you didn't join Dupes' shopping spree?

[TRM]

LOL..."selective" is the word I would say when it comes to buying. Even Dupes is selective. But like he mentioned, you just can;t leave some stuff on the table when the price is right!!! ;D

[406 Silverado]

Sweeeeet. Really nice to see you doing this one T. After talking with you on the drive and at the show I knew you were itching to dig into this one. Added details look great btw.

[bigjohn]

Nice progress T, keep it moving buddy!