Major pain in the posterior

[wjkunert]

I just received a Meng 1/35 Merkava Mk4M with Trophy System. There are over 1,000 parts but about 800 are track parts. They are workable track but you must be careful with glue. The are also very difficult to assemble. Now I remember why I don't build many tracked vehicles. Aside from the tracks the fit is, so far, very good. Should make a nice looking tank. One strange thing Israel did with the Mekava series was to put the engine in front. The Trophy System is deigned to intercept incoming RPGs and such weapons..

[mostrich]

There is a good video about the Merkava form the British Tank Museum on YT. They decided to put the engine on front to be able to exchange the crew and refill the ammo racks through the back door while the vehicle stays in combat.

[Stikpusher]

Try a Tamiya Merkava Mk.1 for a sweet build. Besides, it’s the only version of the family that has gone head to head with other tanks in battle, and not just been used as fire support for the Infantry.

As far as the design goes, it was based upon the battle experience of 1973. Most particularly, the Golan Heights battles were a major influence. Out of the trio of tank design requirements, protection/crew survivability was the top priority, followed by firepower, and then mobility. All subsequent Marks have improved the first two areas, primarily the first after the Merkava was upgunned in the Mk.3.

[Duke Maddog]

The latest marks of the Merkava increased the defense of the rear of the tank since experiences in Lebanon showed how vulnerable the rear hatch was to RPGs. The Merkavas also are able to carry four additional troops allowing them to carry their tank support troops into battle with them.


But yeah; your experience with those indy link racks always make me glad that I only build 1/72 scale armor!

[Tojo72]

You should enjoy it,I did their T-90 it was very impressive,went together great,even survived the tracks including the parade ground pads,but they look great.

[wjkunert]

I'm giving up on the Meng tracks and ordering a set of Friulmodel tracks. Should help with my sanity. The stock tracks are too fiddely.