Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Old Wombat on May 22, 2023, 04:13:02 PM
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I started this build some time ago (last year, so not as long ago as some (Kerick ;) )) with the intention of making it a Royal Australian Marines vehicle but I also have the much nicer, if more intricate, Meng Merk IV.
So, recent events & an image posted by Greg over in the More Challenger 2s for Ukraine? thread (below) warped my thoughts on this &, therefore, the Meng kit will be the RAMs tank & this Academy build will become the Ukrainian build.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/e68/GTwiner/Image_30-4-2023_at_6.13_am.jpeg)
The build is already at the painting stage &, despite my memory thinking it had indy tracks, it comes with link-&-length tracks (Thank the Gods! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza: ); So progress from here should be relatively straight forward & quick (he types, touching everything wood within arms reach, including his head).
I'll post pictures of the kit as-is tomorrow sometime, as I won't be starting it for a few days, at least.
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:smiley:
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I started this build some time ago (last year, so not as long ago as some (Kerick ;) ))
I heard that…… ;)
I hope to see more pics soon. It looks very interesting!
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Photo's of the current state of play:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-vBnFfgS/0/e90095f3/XL/DSCN8400-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-tgQTG2J/0/94f9c436/XL/DSCN8401-XL.jpg)
Because of a couple of changes to how I want the Ukrainian tank to be fitted out there will be a small amount of styrene work before I progress with painting.
Still a lot of tidying to do (the first photo shows the only real cleared area on the entire desk).
So, a couple of days & I may get a few bits done, but then I'll be away for a few days going over to the Eyre Peninsula to visit the grandson & bring my wife back from helping out #1 daughter for a few months.
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Me being me, the tidy up has gone on hold & I've started doing the styrene mod's to make this a Ukrainian tank. ::) :D
Going well, so far. :smiley: [Touch wood .... LOTS of wood!]
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Me being me, the tidy up has gone on hold :D
Good ! I hate it when mess gets in the way of creativeness. Wondering what will be added >:D
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Not a lot, really. It already had a mod or two planned for when it was going to be a RAM's tank & there's, really, only one other mod .
I want to put a Legend Productions IDF Droid ATMD on her*, but they're not available & I don't have one.
So, I'll build her as per the plan & when/if the Droid systems become available I'll get one & add it then.
[*: Largely because I don't want to go to the effort of putting on a Trophy system, & there doesn't seem to be one for the Academy kit, anyway.]
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Can't wait to see this finished. The Legend IDF DROID is a great piece. You can always add it later.
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Thanks, mate! :smiley:
A few days away from home, now. So I'll get back to her when I return.
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If you can't get the Legends one why not build your own whif "Ukrainian" version ?
I made this one up out of warhammer bases, M-60 track pads & a few other bits.
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A green Merkava (even in bits) looks weird! :-\
I've used SMS paint PL82 Protective Green (for WW2 Russian AFV's) for the base colour.
Still a few more parts to do in this colour, then I'll work on the "big digital" camouflage markings.
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A green Merkava (even in bits) looks weird! :-\
I've used SMS paint PL82 Protective Green (for WW2 Russian AFV's) for the base colour.
Still a few more parts to do in this colour, then I'll work on the "big digital" camouflage markings.
Ukraine is using different greens other than that dark green. Here is an M2A2 in a new digital camo with different greens.
(http://i.imgur.com/ivJh2cV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ivJh2cV)
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The Bradleys seem to have a 3-colour scheme (two greens & a sand - possibly a Spring scheme?), which seems to be the norm for Ukrainian vehicles.
The PL82 looks fairly close to the dark green on the Bradleys but I also have a similar light green, a red-brown & a vaguely similar sand colour for the digital colours.
I may stick with the most common 3-colour scheme that I've seen for the Merkava (dark green/brown/sand - Autumn?), or I may go 4 colours (dark green/light green/brown/sand), plus a partial over-wash of white (Yes, it'll be a Winter scheme).
PS: Nice photo, by the way, it may influence the final scheme quite a bit. :smiley:
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Primary painting completed! :smiley:
I'm going to start work on weathering & assembling some of it over the next couple of days (mostly the undersides) & then I'll work on the camo scheme.
Going to have to find a commander figure, too. Pretty sure I've got a few lying around ... somewhere. ;)
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Currently waiting for the "mud" to dry on the Merkava's underside & track run. ;)
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Be a nice take on a Merkava. Interested to see how it looks
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Thanks, BT! :smiley:
I'll be interested to she how she turns out, too. ;)
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Ukraine mechanics might be using house paint just to get them out to the field quicker! I wouldn’t worry too much about colors. I’m sure they are using whatever shows up at the depot.
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I'm not worried about the colours, I've got them sorted. I'm thinking more about the scheme, &, the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards a 4-colour scheme in a pattern similar to that of the Bradley's over-painted with irregular strips/bands of white.
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Ukraine mechanics might be using house paint just to get them out to the field quicker! I wouldn’t worry too much about colors. I’m sure they are using whatever shows up at the depot.
When I suggested this scenario for a 1945 Panzer whif I was yelled down from all fronts !! ;D
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Waiting for "mud" to dry is something like watching grass grow. :-\
I've put two over-washes of a mix of two SMS oil washes (dark brown:brown, 1:3) onto the "mud" as it was a bit on the light side.
This has soaked into the "mud" mix & the colour is much better, now. :smiley:
Once this is dry, I'll gloss clear coat it, give it a light touch of white oil wash, then matt clear coat.
After that, I'll fit it together & put in the (link-&-length) tracks. The off-ground tracks will then be "muddied", so I can fit the armoured skirts.
This will, finally, get me to where I can do the paint scheme ... Before dirtying that up a bit.
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Gloss coat done.
With luck I'll get to do the white wash tonight.
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(http://i.imgur.com/5YxyVES.gif) (https://imgur.com/5YxyVES)
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Coming from the bloke who can take over a year to build a model ... ;D
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Coming from the bloke who can take over a year to build a model ... ;D
A year? You are being generous. It is more like two to three years, sometimes longer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :o :o :o :o
I don't have the luxury of being able to paint indoors so I am weather dependent. The weather has actually been beautiful but the pollen has been horrible.
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White oil wash is done.
I'm going to wait until the matt coat is on but I think there's something missing from the effect, it doesn't sparkle like ice should.
I have an idea to fix that but it may take a couple of days to acquire the appropriate effects paint.
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Matt coat is on & drying. ???
Which is not normal, it's usually dried before I finish the next part, but it's so bleeding cold here right now I should feel myself lucky it's drying at all. :icon_crap:
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Right, the "ice" effect has been trialled & found to be fairly reasonable. So I finished the undersides with that. 8)
I won't say that anyone more familiar with icing in deeply sub-zero temperatures will think it's any good but I, as a warm temperature native, think it looks OK. ;)
The technique is very simple; I washed on some very thinned SMS White Pearl (PL28) paint over the "muddy" areas (& some not so muddy areas).
I'll try to get some photo's up over the next few days but I'm not confident that it will show in digital images.
Point is: I'm happy with it & that's what really counts. :D
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Ok, sounds like progress.
Will wait for the big "Ta Daaaaa" moment
Keep it going
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Thanks, BT! :smiley:
It's moving, but slowly (RW getting in the way a bit).
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OK, missed a few steps here but currently;
Top run, bottom run & front run of tracks done. A bit messy on the indy link front run but a bit of "mud" will hide the worst of it.
A couple of coffee stirrers per side & the weight of the hull are holding the top & bottom lengths onto the return rollers & road wheels, respectively, while the glue dries to hold them in place.
Hopefully get the rear run of tracks done tonight, after work, & get some photos up tomorrow ... Hopefully! :icon_meditation:
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OK, well, life has gotten in the way & will be having an impact for a while to come as I clear out my garage so repair works can commence after we copped a pounding from a hail storm on Wednesday, last week.
I haven't quite finished the tracks, although they are sitting while glue dries & are not far from done.
In the meantime I thought I'd post the photo's of the "mud"-works.
12 photo's, some are a bit repetitive but you're all grown up enough to sort out what you think's important. ;)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-NqVF2Z3/0/eb00ac92/X3/DSCN8406-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-2xPKWrq/0/956ae772/X3/DSCN8408-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-tB3hNcg/0/51b85c75/X3/DSCN8420-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-hxgFg7P/0/e73bbad5/X3/DSCN8421-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-nwhSWTK/0/526f5bb1/X3/DSCN8411-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-chN7tJR/0/25c3fc63/X3/DSCN8413-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-S76PZvC/0/4643fe01/X3/DSCN8418-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-KLVgmK2/0/2a268164/X3/DSCN8419-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-BSZmVpD/0/cbff5bf7/X3/DSCN8407-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-BBxmkjh/0/14e263fc/X3/DSCN8415-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-PHsDhW7/0/3ca44d80/X3/DSCN8417-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-6zXDGjM/0/b135649e/X3/DSCN8416-X3.jpg)
If you want a bigger image click on it, then click on it again to make it smaller. :smiley:
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Looking good!
The Merkava in Ukraine might not be a what if anymore.
According to this Reuters article, Israel and the US approved sales of older Merkava Mk.2 and Mk. 3 tanks to be sold to two foreign countries and one is in Europe.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israel-plans-first-sale-merkava-tank-european-country-2023-06-15/ (https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israel-plans-first-sale-merkava-tank-european-country-2023-06-15/)
Here is another article in Hebrew but you can copy and paste in Google translate to read it. This article is more detailed.
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/skugq500p2 (https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/skugq500p2)
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... The Merkava in Ukraine might not be a what if anymore.
Excellent news! :smiley:
... Here is another article in Hebrew but you can copy and paste in Google translate to read it...
Main bits ...
... The US Department of Defense should soon approve to Israel the sale of hundreds of Merkava Mark 2 and 3 tanks that were manufactured in Israel in the 1980s and 1990s and have been decommissioned in recent years to two foreign countries, one of them in Europe, against the background of the war in Ukraine and the refinement to which classic armored war vehicles are being re-acquired. This is the first time that Merkava tanks will be sold to a European country.
The Ministry of Defence does not specify the names of the two countries that agreed on the purchase of more than 200 used Israeli tanks in light of the sensitivity of the process, but the deal is on the verge of a final signature and is expected to mature for relatively immediate execution, within about three months. Officials at the Ministry of Defence told Ynet that since certain mechanical parts in these tanks are American-made, especially the engine, approval from the Department of Defense in Washington is required to carry out the transaction.
... more than 200 orphaned tanks remain in the IDF's maintenance depots [...] Initial interest in used tanks began already in the middle of last year and the Ministry of Defence rushed to check the condition of the old tanks, and found that they were serviceable enough to be sold...
It should be noted that in the IDF's warehouses there are still hundreds of M113 APCs that are also going out of use ...
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Fingers crossed!!! And if they are considering Merkavas to Ukraine, throw in some Namers as well.
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Seeing as they're talking about older vehicles, specifically Merkava 2's & 3's, I doubt Namers would be on the cards. However, that still leaves the possibility of Israeli upgraded M113s, Achzarits, NagmaSho'ts & Nakpadons (with US agreement).
Interestingly, this leaves open the question of what has happened to the Israeli Ofek APC conversion program (based on Merkava 2 & 3 hulls).
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Looking good!
The Merkava in Ukraine might not be a what if anymore.
Thanks, Ramba! :smiley:
This version of Merkava, I think, given the article as mentioned above, will be a whif for quite some time, though. ;)
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All these different vehicles in Ukraine will be a logistics challenge. Especially parts to keep things running!
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That's assuming that the Merkavas are going to Ukraine, they may be going to a European country that has donated its tanks*: Czech Republic (Czechia), Slovakia, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands or even the UK.
My laugh-out-loud moment came when my mind flickered across the idea that Australia was the non-European recipient country, so we could make our Abrams tanks available for Ukraine! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
[*: This is not an exhaustive list of tank-supplying nations & other European countries are possible recipients.]
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So, we now enter the realm of more bits being chucked together for a quick photo shoot before I start designing the masks for the digi-cam.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-sSMS7Tt/0/eb84a7fe/X3/DSCN8422-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-tSKNnRz/0/139faa7b/X3/DSCN8423-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-Pzs7kDF/0/3a08f3ef/X3/DSCN8424-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-CgB7cPV/0/9946254f/X3/DSCN8425-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-p4Bf8n6/0/5f6ac4e3/X3/DSCN8427-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-BSb9kc8/0/ffc55858/X3/DSCN8426-X3.jpg)
The skirts need a few squirts of paint to fix a few issues that occurred during the fixing of fit issues ... Ain't that always the way! ::)
And the Merkava really does look odd in green! :-\
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That looks good! In green, the Merkava looks like the well endowed close cousin of the Marder
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Thanks, Frank! :icon_alabanza:
Just wait 'til she's digi-cam'ed! ;)
About 20% of the way there in the design phase. :smiley:
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Seeing as they're talking about older vehicles, specifically Merkava 2's & 3's, I doubt Namers would be on the cards. However, that still leaves the possibility of Israeli upgraded M113s, Achzarits, NagmaSho'ts & Nakpadons (with US agreement).
One can hope...
Interestingly, this leaves open the question of what has happened to the Israeli Ofek APC conversion program (based on Merkava 2 & 3 hulls).
Yeah, not sure about the Ofek (example below). Though from what I understand it is more of a Command and Control vehicle rather than a pure APC:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DlsTbbSU8AE2DJu?format=jpg&name=large)
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All these different vehicles in Ukraine will be a logistics challenge. Especially parts to keep things running!
Ukraine already has that challenge but I believe it is a case of use whatever one can now to win the war and drive the Orcs out. After that they will narrow down to something far more sustainable.
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That's assuming that the Merkavas are going to Ukraine, they may be going to a European country that has donated its tanks*: Czech Republic (Czechia), Slovakia, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands or even the UK.
More speculation here: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/israeli-merkava-tank-has-possible-export-customer-in-europe (https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/israeli-merkava-tank-has-possible-export-customer-in-europe)
My laugh-out-loud moment came when my mind flickered across the idea that Australia was the non-European recipient country, so we could make our Abrams tanks available for Ukraine! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Err...no. Australia's new M1A2 SEPv3s start arriving next year having survived (for now) the DSR. What is interesting though is the speculation that the older M1A1s might find their way to Ukraine. Fingers crossed. Speaking of which:
https://twitter.com/defenceu/status/1664060450772865026?s=66&t=HVAXXZJIMBzelxWw3RruNQ (https://twitter.com/defenceu/status/1664060450772865026?s=66&t=HVAXXZJIMBzelxWw3RruNQ)
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Well, I did say it was a fleeting though & a laugh-out-loud moment. ;)
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Work is still under weigh on planning the digi-cam.
However, when it may be done is up in the air, as my painting desk is now in storage while we wait for repairs to the garage to commence (time-frame unknown at this stage).
I may grab one of the folding tables (that I used to paint on) back out of storage, so I can do some painting until the builders come to do the work - at least a folding table can be stored in the shed while the garage is out of bounds.
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Work is still under weigh on planning the digi-cam...
Looking forward to this! You're right about the Merk looking a bit odd in green ... and digi-cam is an excellent solution (no pun intended) :smiley:
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Thanks, mate! :smiley:
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About 50% of the way through the design phase of the digi-cam. :smiley:
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Well, Well, it's seens that a Ukrainian Merkava MIGHT not be a whatif anymore ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms3nCVT3Vgo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms3nCVT3Vgo)
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This has already been discussed (previous page) & the talk is regarding Merkava 2s & 3s, not 4s, going to an unnamed European country.
That country could be any of a number that have supported Ukraine, or others which haven't, or even Ukraine itself.
However, I'd be less inclined to think it's Ukraine because Israel has gone out of its way not to antagonise Russia, at the moment, because of its close ties with the current ruling regime in Syria.
Still, from my perspective, no matter which way it goes, a Ukrainian Merkava IV is still a whif! :smiley:
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Digi-cam design completed! :D
Now all I have to do is make a dozen or so copies & make them into painting masks. :smiley:
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Still, from my perspective, no matter which way it goes, a Ukrainian Merkava IV is still a whif! :smiley:
:smiley:
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Good stuff Guy, you will get there.
Liking the mud work at the moment.. it will start to live more once all is in place.
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No Merkavas for Ukraine. They are going to Cyprus.
https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672102658830655488
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Application of the digi-cam has commenced! :D
Photo's of what I've done today may appear later tonight. ;)
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Photo's! :D
Not quite as good as I'd have liked but good enough for Invasion Emergency work. ;)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-j3tXjpR/0/e2104fed/X3/DSCN8433-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-tTpFr6w/0/6d926a83/X3/DSCN8432-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-sq3mbJH/0/58a47ec7/X3/DSCN8428-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-7Kz7qKq/0/09ac74a0/X3/DSCN8430-X3.jpg)
Haven't done the front or the turret, yet, but they can wait for another day. :smiley:
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That looks great! Ae you going to blend in/weather it some more?
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Thanks, Frank! :smiley:
Once the camo, including a partial &/or degrading Winter white wash, is done there will be some more mud (mostly on the tracks but some on the skirts) plus some light hull & turret weathering.
I want it to look slightly used coming to the end of a Ukrainian Winter.
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Looking Good
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Very nice!
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Thank you, gentlemen! :smiley: :smiley:
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That is looking tasty! Looking forward to the post-Winter wash :smiley:
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Looking good! :smiley:
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And "Thank you!", also, gent's! :icon_alabanza:
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Hull digi-cam is completed. Next is the turret! :smiley:
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Turret digi-cam, therefore all of the digi-cam, is DONE! :D
Not a bad job, if I do say so myself, but the Merkava looks so-o weird in multi-coloured camouflage! :-\ ;D
I'm leaving it looking fairly rough (field applied with disposable quality masks) but, despite that, there are some touch-ups required.
Photo's sometime over the next few days, when/if I get time.
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OK, photo's have arrived now because I have to go to work shortly but I have a double shift tomorrow.
Here they are:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-7jf2Tmz/0/025e1282/X3/DSCN8438-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-J5L3bHB/0/197e0f02/X3/DSCN8437-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-S6W9KqD/0/410a0643/X3/DSCN8436-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-TZKdBpG/0/3cda9cc1/X3/DSCN8434-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-wLqDsKB/0/ff8b3544/X3/DSCN8443-X3.jpg)
As I said, a few touch-ups (& fixes) required but, overall, I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out. :smiley:
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:smiley:
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Terrific job! I think it looks great in the digi cam.
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Great job and looking forward to how this one turns out! :smiley:
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Terrific job! I think it looks great in the digi cam.
Yup. Nailed it. Very much looks the part :smiley:
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Wow! That really looks good! The Russians are claiming to have destroyed 20 Merkavas just like this one...
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That works ! :smiley: :smiley:
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Thank you very much, gentlemen! Really appreciated! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
The paint job has its faults, but they're faults which I think add a bit of character to it.
Of course the Russians claim to have destroyed 20 Merkava IVs, just like they claim to have shot down a couple of dozen F-35s. ::) ;D
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Wow! That really looks good! The Russians are claiming to have destroyed 20 Merkavas just like this one...
;D
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Yup, that's a winner for sure. Digicam will always get my approval.
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Thanks, LJ! :smiley:
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Well, the Russians claim to have invented me at one point, so...
Beautiful work as always, and less a whif than an 'oughta be', but I agree with your earlier assertion re" Israeli assistance to Ukraine.
Unfortunate, as they could probably make good use of the Iron Dome system as well.
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Thank you very much, Doc! :icon_alabanza:
... they could probably make good use of the Iron Dome system as well.
Absolutely! :smiley: :icon_crap:
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OK, she's had her base weathering done (a bit heavy handed on the washes but I didn't realise how much the textured surfaces would retain & resist removal).
Here she is, ready for masking prior to her penultimate paint session;
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-KDcHM6t/0/5d58fe48/X3/DSCN8448-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-rLjnP3n/0/1bce437b/X3/DSCN8445-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-LbvpsWN/0/3e36e4c1/X3/DSCN8446-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-CRS2L5p/0/acec34d2/X3/DSCN8447-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-7p5tpnd/0/79039d53/X3/DSCN8449-X3.jpg)
Next up is some hairspray, salt, & the white Winter scheme.
After which will be the Winter weathering, followed by the final matt coat.
And somewhere in amongst that lot will be some dry-brushing to bring out some highlights.
Getting there! :smiley:
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Looks really cool! Looking forward to the weathering.
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Thanks, Ramba! :smiley:
Here's hoping things live up to expectations! :icon_meditation:
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Nice, have just been using C-in-C House Command’s hairspray to do a winter scheme too - first time I have tried it… Looking forward to seeing you results! :smiley:
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Thanks, mate! I'll let you know how it goes. :smiley:
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The Merkava's sitting in the modelling room covered in hairspray, salt & tape, waiting for some white paint ... :-\ ... That just sounds weird!
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White paint has been applied. :smiley:
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The paint scheme looks really good already, I'm hoping you haven't covered it all up with white wash :icon_surprised:
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Really interested how this goes. My attempts with hairspray have been mixed with the lower end of mixed prevailing.
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Yeah, can't say my couple of previous attempts have been spectacular successes, either, but I'm a touch hopeful, as I've used SMS lacquers underneath & an SMS water-based acrylic over the top.
Find out tomorrow or Monday night, depending on how work & life pan out. ;)
PS: The acrylic seems to work well with both water & IPA, which I'll experiment with a bit further at some time to ensure my observations are correct.
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Weathered down the white tonight ... Didn't go quite to plan. ::)
The white, it turns out, is, if not a latex-based paint then, very similar to a latex-based paint &, when I was trying to take off chips, either rolled back, or came off in sheets.
I've fixed it fairly well, I think, but only time, & a bit more weathering, will tell.
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Hope it all works out. :o
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Now, a few pic's to keep you all posted on where I'm at (Here's your chance to see if the fix was successful, mate! ;) ):
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-hZM48TV/0/88ba1fd9/X3/DSCN8453-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-Qg3MP8q/0/703d1eb7/X3/DSCN8452-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-sZgqcxn/0/a0094107/X3/DSCN8451-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-qQ8bPHx/0/c32fdf62/X3/DSCN8454-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-tZ6654r/0/39f80d58/X3/DSCN8457-X3.jpg)
The TC is added to show where he's at, too, as I'm waiting for Ukrainian BDU digi-cam decals to arrive from Ukraine to finish him off.
I used 3mm Tamiya tape to create some visible marks in the white paint equivalent to 100mm/4" masking tape the crew used to mask over the identifying markings.
The tank has had a coat of matt over the white & the panel line pin washes I did last night. A little bit a weathering, a touch of dry-brushing & lots more MUD! (Glorious MUD!) to finish her off.
Anyway, as usual all comments & constructive criticisms welcome. :smiley:
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Looks good, I was worried you'd cover up all your previous hard work but the white isn't to over powering & looks like another natural layer of camouflage :smiley:
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Looks great with the white wash. Can't wait to see the dio base it will sit on.
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Thanks, guys! :icon_alabanza:
Happily, & coincidently, the Ukrainian digi-cam decals from Ukraine arrived in the mail today, so I can start finishing the TC. :smiley:
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The paint job and white wash look great! Are you going to muddy the tracks when you weather it?
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It all works :smiley: :smiley:
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:smiley: :smiley: 8)
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Thank you very much, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
Frank, from the 2nd-last line of the post with the photo's:
A little bit a weathering, a touch of dry-brushing & lots more MUD! (Glorious MUD!) to finish her off.
;)
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Camo'ed the TC's tanker coveralls from the bottom of the body armour down - because it won't be seen & is, therefore, the perfect practice area. ;)
I'm glad I paid attention to the tips that Ramba gave out about putting camo decals on figures because, even though I did, I still had some small(ish) issues. ::)
Still, I've learned a bit - mostly relating to how stiff & fragile the Breeze Decals are until they've soaked up a LOT of Micro Sol. :-\
Overall, though, still quite happy with this first effort. Hopefully the important upper parts will go a bit better. :smiley:
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Camo decals are a slow process, in that I have to do one patch then let it settle & dry before doing the next - & it can take a few hours for all the Micro Sol to dry.
Having been looking at the tank, itself, I think the weathering is done as is, any more would be too much.
So, next will be "mudding" &, maybe, the base/dio, but that will need me to be able to sit down at it for several hours uninterrupted, which may not happen for a little while.
In the meantime, onwards & upwards with the TC! :smiley:
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Hmmm, I’ve never tried camo decals before (or even heard of them) so will be very interested to see and hear how it all goes. :smiley:
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At the moment all I can say for how it's going is "I'm glad I'm using a digi-cam, where most of my faults are camouflaged by the camouflage!" :-\
This is, obviously, primarily a side-effect of my inexperience using the things but may, also, be something to do with this brand of decal; the body armour decals may indicate if this is so, as they're a different brand (but are also Ukrainian),
Time will tell! ;)
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A quick photo of where the TC is at, right now:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-f9wQrhL/0/abc17694/X3/IMG_2660-X3.jpg)
Click For Bigger View (CFBV)
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The camo looks great! That's the saving grace of most of these camo decals. Yes, they're all stiff and take forever to conform to the figure, even with decal softener. But with a little care, they look the part!
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Well, it turns out that's the easier sheet to deal with (Breeze Decals).
The Print Scale decals are even thinner, & more fragile, & take longer to come off the backing, although it appears that if I use Humbrol DecalFix to start with, then use the Microscale products it seems to hold together a little better.
With a larger pattern I think it would be much more difficult to hide the errors that I've made but the biggest difference comes from the printers & how they've printed the decals, & (I assume) with what type of ink.
Still, even with the stuff-ups, looked at from 12" to 8" away the decals still look good; it's only at 4" with a magnifier that you can see most of the repairs, & even some of those you need to know where they are & really look for them.
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The TC looks great! What a revelation - decals for 1/35 scale figures… who woulda thought!! :smiley:
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I'm finding them finicky but, mostly, worth the effort.
Anyway, more photo's of the TC;
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-FdgjtZb/0/6202bf83/X3/IMG_2668-X3.jpg) (https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-TQXrTHL/0/b0cb3c16/X3/IMG_2673-X3.jpg)
CFBV
He'll be getting a thin gloss coat tonight &, probably, some oil washes.
Then tomorrow I'll hit him with a matt coat & some dry brushing, followed by fitting the final pieces (mic & binoculars) & another matt coat.
After that he should be done!
Then it's back to the main event! ;)
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Glues are drying on the turret! :smiley:
However, I forgot that I'd still have to paint the antenna farm at the back of the turret once I'd fitted the wire for the antennae. :-\
But, still, nearly there! ;)
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For those of you who prefer pictures to words (&, let's face it, who doesn't?), I give you photo's of where I'm at, now;
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-frFR8mr/0/e9e57eb7/X3/DSCN8459-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-KCXvzj4/0/eb8d2e80/X3/DSCN8460-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-mhx68Wm/0/23c33afe/X3/DSCN8461-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-QVzQn48/0/b96c6fdf/X3/DSCN8462-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-r7gqxbS/0/8c1a6a07/X3/DSCN8463-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-c9HZZSg/0/15a5987c/X3/DSCN8466-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-5WCRCkK/0/79162797/X3/DSCN8464-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ukrainian-Merkava-IV-135-Academy/i-X29N7qW/0/c3401e0b/X3/DSCN8465-X3.jpg)
CFBV
The turret is as finished as it's going to get, there are faults but ones I can live with & still be happy with the result.
Next is "mudding" ..... &, maybe, the base.
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Wow, that looks fantastic - the painting looks scale realistic; you could fool people into believing it's a 1:1 scale tank if you photograph it outside with some trees in focus in the background. Maybe add an AK-47 or AT-4 lying on the turret; I've seen pictures of tankers with AT-4 tubes next to them. The Ukrainians seem to love plinking Orks with them.
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Awesome! Loving the paint job!! :-* :smiley:
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Thank you very much, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
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Dang that looks good :-* Nice work OW :smiley:
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Have to say, that is really, really good.
Interested in the decals for the camo, but at the same time, not interested. Sound too much like lots of effort for a good result, that probably can be achieved almost as effectively with paint.
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Thank you, both, very much! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
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That is just the right amount of dirty, snowy and digital camo for me!
"Gunner. Target T-72 direct front!"
"Up!"
"On the waaaaayyyyyy!"
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Thanks, LJ! :icon_alabanza:
Similar to my thoughts. ;)
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Recent events and suspicions as to who is behind it and benefiting from the distraction caused suggests that there will be a lot of Israeli gear headed to Ukraine soon.
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Yes, may not be that much of a whif shortly. ;)
Should try to get the base & final "mudding" done before that happens! ;D
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Recent events and suspicions as to who is behind it and benefiting from the distraction caused suggests that there will be a lot of Israeli gear headed to Ukraine soon.
While I believe that there is a Russian hand (via Iran) behind the recent events, I would not expect anything to go from Israel to Ukraine until Netanyahu is no longer part of the picture.
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Recent events and suspicions as to who is behind it and benefiting from the distraction caused suggests that there will be a lot of Israeli gear headed to Ukraine soon.
While I believe that there is a Russian hand (via Iran) behind the recent events, I would not expect anything to go from Israel to Ukraine until Netanyahu is no longer part of the picture.
Sadly, I have to agree with that assessment.
That said, it is a great looking build, and an excellent notion.
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Thanks, Doc! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza: :smiley: