Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Ramba on February 08, 2019, 11:58:21 PM

Title: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Ramba on February 08, 2019, 11:58:21 PM
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.
(http://i.imgur.com/Nc9KVpY.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Nc9KVpY)

This is the Academy kit I used.
(http://i.imgur.com/nfpSLVV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/nfpSLVV)

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.
(http://i.imgur.com/6bTh1QQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/6bTh1QQ)
(http://i.imgur.com/fVTL9EL.jpg) (https://imgur.com/fVTL9EL)
(http://i.imgur.com/fm6AWQc.jpg) (https://imgur.com/fm6AWQc)
(http://i.imgur.com/FPA2LOF.jpg) (https://imgur.com/FPA2LOF)
(http://i.imgur.com/J6mIYaT.jpg) (https://imgur.com/J6mIYaT)
(http://i.imgur.com/NaAeoCl.jpg) (https://imgur.com/NaAeoCl)
(http://i.imgur.com/LiexlXI.jpg) (https://imgur.com/LiexlXI)
(http://i.imgur.com/pyTXRR4.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pyTXRR4)
(http://i.imgur.com/9JxndEX.jpg) (https://imgur.com/9JxndEX)
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: LemonJello on February 09, 2019, 12:08:24 AM
Looking forward to future updates on this one.  It's going to be a beast!
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 09, 2019, 11:14:02 AM
I really like the extra armor plates.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Gingie on February 11, 2019, 12:32:08 AM
Like where you are going with this!
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Old Wombat on February 11, 2019, 12:52:53 AM
Ambitious & really cool! 8)

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? ;) :smiley:


PS: Darkk1 on DeviantArt https://www.deviantart.com/darkki1/art/Middle-East-Express-408290579 (https://www.deviantart.com/darkki1/art/Middle-East-Express-408290579)
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Ramba on February 11, 2019, 02:40:55 AM
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.
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Old Wombat on February 12, 2019, 08:31:02 AM
Quote from: Ramba on February 11, 2019, 02:40:55 AM
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. :smiley:
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Ramba on February 16, 2019, 07:25:53 AM
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.
(http://i.imgur.com/rPt3kF9.jpg) (https://imgur.com/rPt3kF9)
(http://i.imgur.com/Yy09XcH.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Yy09XcH)
(http://i.imgur.com/01emkUN.jpg) (https://imgur.com/01emkUN)

Test fitting the Windbreaker APS and DUKE antenna. Only one DUKE antenna shown but there will be two when done.
(http://i.imgur.com/y2mXWX1.jpg) (https://imgur.com/y2mXWX1)
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Old Wombat on February 16, 2019, 10:36:00 PM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: gogs007 on September 20, 2019, 10:47:35 AM
Any update on this, it looks great.
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Ramba on September 20, 2019, 10:26:14 PM
Quote from: gogs007 on September 20, 2019, 10:47:35 AM
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.
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Kerick on September 21, 2019, 04:12:40 AM
We'll be waiting to see the finished beast!
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Old Wombat on September 21, 2019, 07:38:45 AM
Quote from: kerick on September 21, 2019, 04:12:40 AM
We'll be waiting to see the finished beast!

Yup! :D :smiley:
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: elmayerle on September 21, 2019, 12:53:28 PM
Quote from: Old Wombat on September 21, 2019, 07:38:45 AM
Quote from: kerick on September 21, 2019, 04:12:40 AM
We'll be waiting to see the finished beast!

Yup! :D :smiley:
What they said.
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: apophenia on September 22, 2019, 04:35:47 AM
Quote from: elmayerle on September 21, 2019, 12:53:28 PM
What they said.

And again  :smiley:
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: Ramba on September 22, 2019, 09:57:36 AM
Thanks everyone! Hoping to get back to it one day.
Title: Re: Academy 1/35 Merkava Mk.III What If
Post by: gogs007 on September 23, 2019, 09:01:13 PM
I look forward to seeing the finished beast