Nice! I'm digging it! The guys with Galil SARs look like dismounted armor crew.

What "scale" are the figures?

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Hi,

it is 20 mm or 1/72 scale.

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

After, I have been focused on some other subject for quite some time, I thought I could post a little update here.

This time, it is the work in progress of an israeli Merkava III tank, which I modified in order to display this grain surface on the tanks main body and turret.

After I was satisfied with the outcome, I send it to a friend, who has an air brush. So - this is the tank as it has been painted so far, but it is still not finished.

So stay tuned. More to come.

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

Looks sweet! My machine!

I suppose it's a MK.I kit with a modification to MK.III?

Some differences to note if one is striving for accuracy:

The main gun looks like 105mm and should be 120mm. The 0.5 mount is also different (probably goes with the gun).

Loaders hatch should be round, has a cover.

The main gun sights are not there.

The shovel is mounted on the hull rear beneath the turret basket.

Tracks have uniform wheels. I think that's a MK.I experimental extra hardy first wheel for better sustainability that went out of style.

The immediate smoke - white phosphor launchers are at too flat an angle. Should be turned up a bit. <-- this I think you can change if you wanted.

The texture looks nice. I can give you a little tip that'll help enhance it, I think. Around handles that swivel, like the headlights release, engine cover and the equipment compartments the surface remains smooth in an arc to accommodate the motion of the handle. It also sometimes flakes off after a while in areas with wear and tear and comes off in big slates that leave behind a raised edge of sorts.

I hate to bust your chops, it's a good looking job. I thought you might like the advice.

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Hi,

for sure I do like the advice.

Just to answer on a few of those remarks.

It was a Revell of Germany model kit, so all of the weapons were part of the kit. I did not modify the weapons or the chassis, nor the turret.

Here is a picture of how someone else build the tank:



As one can see: Most of the equipment already is mounted on the unit, as is the loaders hatch. I also was very suprised to see, that the loaders hatch has the shape of a half moon. But well - can't be helped. It is the only model of the Merkava III in (1/72), currently available (as far as I was able to find).

So I accepted this inaccuracy.

Same with those wheels. I was not sure about the wheels for a long time, but figured, that even some 1/35 producers like academy use this kind of wheels.



Smoke launchers did not fit another way.

Concerning the surface - okay, got that. I will remember this when working on my other three.

Thanks for the advice! As far as I am able to implement some improvements on the tanks, I will do.

Alles Vale

Ghostleader

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

Cool. Yeah, I've seen that build. I don't know what the reference on this was but they'd probably cut your head off if you did your tactical markings up like that with the company's name. Some are missing on this one you show.

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That's a solid copy.

I'll try to make the units markings as accurate as possible.

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

I've looked around at some of the 1:72 models that are available and it seems like there isn't available an accurate one so good job with what you made there. My guess is they're all modeled after the same one which in turn is a modified MK. I.

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Hi,

thanks :-D I appriciate that. If there is a Merkava IV available someday, I guess I'll get it. Hopefully it is much more accurate.

But until then ... some progress on the Mk. III has been made.

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

Looking good!

One small thing (let me know if this is annoying) on the rear mud flaps the rubber part is only the first articulation (the lower one) and the piece above that is already steel again. The front one you got just right.

The weathering is looking good, I like it. The exhaust vent looks good.

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So, finally!

We finally finished the first of four Merkavas. I tried to make the model as accurate as possible and I think, my buddy did a great job with the painting.

As it is not very easy to get the right marking sheets for an 1/72 Merkava, he decided to draw those markings himself. (except those arrows.) I think, he did a really good job on that too.

Hope, you enjoy.

all the best

Ghostleader

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

Nice! The markings look sweet. Just like the real thing!
I can tell you it's missing a stripe on the top of the barrel and turret basket signs but aside from that it looks really great.

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I know.

Basket signs and top barrell stripe - I wasn't really sure what they mean, so I didn't bother him with those details. In fact he was a little pissed of, when I explained to him, how those markings are working. (Which I had to find out myself first). He did not get it in the first time. (normally does WWII Germans and modern russians)

Basket markings and barrell stripe will follow on the next tanks! I promise ;-D

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

As I am currently really busy with my job, I am just getting forward model by model. A long and slow process. Sorry for that.

In the meantime, my Merkava arrived, so I shot some pictures with the Infantry and the tank. Enjoy;-D

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D

Hi,

so, here are some new IDF Soldiers. Now, my Group is 8 men strong. More to come.

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Stargazers Elysium - Israeli Defense Forces Wargaming, Imperial Guard Wargaming and more ... ;-D