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.

[LemonJello]

Looking forward to future updates on this one.  It's going to be a beast!

[Brian da Basher]

I really like the extra armor plates.

Brian da Basher

[Gingie]

Like where you are going with this!

[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?


PS: Darkk1 on DeviantArt https://www.deviantart.com/darkki1/art/Middle-East-Express-408290579

[Ramba]

Thanks all!

No plans to fix the bow plate. I still have to add some armor blocks to it so it will change the look but with this being a what if anyway I will just ignore it.

[Old Wombat]

No plans to fix the bow plate. I still have to add some armor blocks to it so it will change the look but with this being a what if anyway I will just ignore it.

Fair call, I wouldn't either.

[Ramba]

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]

 

[gogs007]

Any update on this, it looks great.

[Ramba]

Any update on this, it looks great.

Thanks! I haven't really worked on this at all since February. My goal was to try to finish it this year but that won't happen. About the only thing I added was the .50cal on the mantlet. I stopped work on it mostly because my airbrush broke last year. I got a new one a few months ago but haven't even used it yet. Hoping for next summer.

[Kerick]

We'll be waiting to see the finished beast!

[Old Wombat]

We'll be waiting to see the finished beast!

Yup!

[elmayerle]

We'll be waiting to see the finished beast!

Yup!

What they said.

[apophenia]

What they said.

And again 

[Ramba]

Thanks everyone! Hoping to get back to it one day.

[gogs007]

I look forward to seeing the finished beast