Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If

[Ramba]

Last year while searching for sci fi what if ideas, I found a sci fi artist's image of either a Merkava Mk.I or Mk.II that had a lot of add on parts and I really wanted to try to make something similar. I didn't have a Mk.I or Mk.II at the time so one of my good friends kindly donated an Academy Mk.III.

I switched out the kit 120mm barrel for a 105mm. For the 105mm barrel and add on armor blocks I used parts from the ESCI 1/35 M60A1 Blazer kit that someone else kindly donated. I also added a Black Dog resin RWS with a Live Resin .50cal.

Here is the image I found online. I can't read the signature so I can't give proper credit to the artist.


This is the Academy kit I used.


Here is where I am at so far. I filled in the rear turret basket buy cutting up a trashed Academy M1A2 upper hull. Still a lot more to do. I plan to add a couple DUKE antennas and a Windbreaker APS.

[JayBee]

One does seriously look forward to seeing the finished model. 

[Old Wombat]

Ambitious & really cool!

Just wondering what you're going to do about the too-vertical-for-a-Merkava bow plate, or are you just going to quietly let that bit slide by & ignore it?

[Scotaidh]

I searched 'Merkava tanks' on Deviant Art and found that picture.  The artist's DA name is "Darkki1", aka

[Tomi Väisänen
   Male/Finland]

He's got some interesting stuff in his gallery - a grav-train engine; walking armor; weaponry; drones.  It's only a single page, so it doesn't take too long to scan through.

I'll be interested to see what you make of his drawing and that model. 

[Captain Canada]

Nice work so far. The picture does look pretty mean. Looks like a fun build.

[sykotik]

that will be a very cool subject! I love the Merkava's lines - it's just so sleek and mean.
Looking at this reminds me I need to finish mine off 

[Ramba]

Thanks for the comments!

Got a little more done. Added the front ERA and the smoke dischargers. I moved the tow hooks out further to fit the ERA between them. The white plastic is because I cut the top of the mantlet cover down. It stuck up pretty high so I trimmed it down and will add a .50cal there.




Test fitting the Windbreaker APS and DUKE antenna. Only one DUKE antenna shown but there will be two when done.

[Old Wombat]