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Merkava IIID LIC Late 1:35 Meng Models The Merkava "chariot" is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defence Forces. The tank began development in 1973 and entered official service in 1978. Four main variants of the tank have been deployed. It was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. The name "Merkava" was derived from the IDF's initial development program name. Design criteria include rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness and off-road performance. Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located closer to the rear than in most main battle tanks. With the engine in front, this layout is intended to grant additional protection against a frontal attack, especially for the personnel in the main hull, such as the driver. It also creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased storage capacity and a rear entrance to the main crew compartment allowing easy access under enemy fire. This allows the tank to be used as a platform for medical disembarkation, a forward command and control station, and an infantry fighting vehicle. The rear entrance's clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel. It was reportedly decided shortly before the beginning of the 2006 Lebanon War that the Merkava line would be discontinued within four years. However, on November 7, 2006, Haaretz reported that an Israeli General Staff assessment had ruled of the Merkava Mark IV that "if properly deployed, the tank can provide its crew with better protection than in the past," and deferred the decision on discontinuing the line. On August 16, 2013, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon announced the decision to resume production of the Merkava main battle tank for the IDF Armoured Corps. The Merkava IID LIC Late is a combination of the IIID, with BAZ systems fitted so includes the addition of the locally developed IMI 120mm gun. This gun and a larger 1,200 horsepower (890 kW) diesel engine increased the total weight of the tank to 65 tonnes (143,000 lb), but the larger engine increased the maximum cruising speed to 60 km/h (37 mph). The turret was re-engineered for movement independent of the tank chassis, allowing it to track a target regardless of the tank's movement. Many other changes were made, including:- External two-way telephone for secure communications between the tank crew and dismounted infantry, Upgraded ammunition storage containers to minimize ammunition cook-off, Addition of laser designators, Incorporation of the Kasag modular armour system, designed for rapid replacement and repair in the battlefield and for quick upgrading as new designs and sophisticated materials become available, Creation of the Mark IIIB, with unspecified armour upgrades. The BAZ modifications included further updates and additional systems including:- Upgraded fire-control system components, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit, provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move (an automatic target tracker), NBC protection systems, Locally developed central air-conditioning system, Added improvements in ballistic protection, The Mark IIID has removable modular composite armour on the chassis and turret. The Merkava IIID LIC’s have been further updated for urban warfare. The LIC designation stands for "Low intensity conflict", underlining its emphasis on counter-insurgency, street-to-street inner-city asymmetrical type warfare of the 21st century. The Merkava is equipped with a turret 12.7 mm calibre coaxial machine gun, which enables the crew to lay down fairly heavy cover fire without using the main gun (which is relatively ineffective against individual enemy combatants). Like the new remote-operated weapon station, the coaxial machine-gun is fired from inside the tank without exposing the crew to small-arms fire and snipers. The most sensitive areas of a tank, its optics, exhaust ports and ventilators, are all protected by a newly developed high-strength metal mesh, to prevent the possibility of explosives charges being planted there. Rubber whip pole-markers with LED tips and a driver's rear-facing camera have been installed to improve navigation and manoeuvrability in an urban environment by day or by night. The Model This is another updated release, form the original IIID that was released back in 2012. This includes new parts that add all the updated equipment carried by the LIC variant. The kit comes in a very attractive and sturdy box, with an artists impression of the tank somewhere in the desert. Inside there are twelve sprues and six separate parts in a medium to dark grey styrene, 220 separate track links, a small sheet of etched brass, a length of string, a short length of brass wire, twenty poly caps, and the smallish decal sheet. As usual with Meng kits the mouldings are superb, with great detail and no sign of imperfections or flash. Having said that I have found a couple of the track links that have been short shot, but hopefully there will still be enough to make up the two lengths of track without needing to use them all. This release is sort of a special edition as it includes a nice little booklet on the Merkava with some great pictures of the tank in the field. This has been produce by Desert Eagle and will come in very handy for the build. Construction begins with the assembly of the road wheels, each of five parts, return rollers, idlers and sprockets. All, with the exception of the return rollers, wheels are fitted with the poly caps which allow a friction fit onto the suspension arms and axles. The gearbox covers, bump stops, mud scrapers, shocker absorbers and idler wheel axles are attached to the lower hull. The wheels are then attached, as are the suspension springs, which do look really good considering they have bee moulded from plastic. The large rear door is assembled from fourteen parts and can be posed open should you wish. This is then attached to the rear hull, along with the fuel tank hatches, fuel filler caps, and the two prominent stowage baskets. With the hull upside down, the belly armour can be attached, along with the eight parts that go to make up the support arms. The upper forward hull section is fitted out with the driver viewing ports and the exhaust louvre, before being turned the right side up and having further detail added in the form of the front mudguards, engine decking, headlights, viewing port covers and several hand rails, tie down points and other fixings. There are two styles of drivers hatch to choose from, which are then fitted with the opening system before being glued into position. The rear mounted telephone box, lights and mudguards are attached, followed by the side skirt support brackets. The tracks are then assembled, each from 106 links, and fitted, the upper hull can be attached to the lower, after which, the two side skirts are attached. The engine exhaust grille is now added, as are the various covers and guards that are affixed around the hull. The main gun is made up from twelve parts, with only the front and rear sections requiring any sanding to get rid of the seams. This assembly is then fitted to the lower turret section, along with the rear panel, which has been detailed with spare track links, and two aerial base, and their respective aerials. The ball and chains are moulded in styrene and actually look quite good, but for those who need extra realism, there are aftermarket sets of individual balls and lengths of chain. The three sections that make up the shot trap protection are fitted to the large basket that is fitted to the rear of the turret. The three armoured section of the upper turret are joined together and the whole assembly is fitted to the lower turret, along with the forward armoured section, more aerial bases and numerous other fittings. The commanders cupola and gunners hatches are assembled then fitted into position, followed by the multitude of sensor boxes and their covers, plus the smoke dischargers, forward mounted 50 cal heavy machine gun, panoramic sight, and the two MAG machine guns, on for the gunner and one for the commander. The turret is then mounted onto the hull with the two towing cables, completing the build. Decals The smallish, well printed decal sheet provides markings for two vehicles, both of which are in the standard overall sand grey used by the Israeli Army. Merkava 111D LIC, Tank “Gimel” ©, 2nd (Wolves) Company, 2nd Storm Battalion, 188 Lightning Brigade, Gaza, Operation Protective Edge, 2014 Merkava 111D LIC, Tank 11 “Gimel (11C), 2nd Storm Battalion, 188 Lightning Brigade, Israel-Lebanon Border, 2015 The decals are well printed, with good register, colour density and crisp demarcations, as we have come to expect when they are printed by Cartograf. Conclusion The Merkava has always been an interesting tank, and the continued upgrades keep it well in the front line. As usual Meng have produced a fabulous product which should build into a great looking model. It will certainly look good in any collection, particularly if you are building a series of the different Merkava types currently released. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

IDF Merkava IV LIC etch sets Eduard1:35 for Academy The LIC versions of the Mark IV tank are converted for urban warfare. The LIC designation stands for Low Intensity Conflict, underlining its emphasis on counter-insurgency, street-to-street inner-city asymmetrical type warfare of the 21st century. The Merkava is equipped with a turret 12.7 mm calibre coaxial machine gun which enables the crew to lay down fairly heavy cover fire without the use of the main gun, which is relatively ineffective against individual enemy combatants. Like the new remote-operated weapon station, the coaxial machine-gun is fired from inside the tank without exposing the crew to small-arms fire and snipers. The most sensitive areas of a tank, its optics, exhaust ports and ventilators, are all protected by a newly developed high-strength metal mesh, to prevent the possibility of explosives charges being planted there. Rubber whip pole-markers with LED tips and a driver's rear-facing camera have been installed to improve navigation and manoeuvrability in an urban environment by day or by night. Designed for the Academy kit these two sets from Eduard appear to cover almost every part of the model. The presentation and etching is up to the usual high standards we have come to expect from Eduard and whilst not as comprehensive as other manufacturers sets the number of parts will keep the modeller beavering away for quite a few hours. As part of the preparation for using the etched parts much of the kit detail needs to be removed first. The modeller will also need to supply either plastic or brass rod to finish off some of the details. Both sets come with two sheets of relief etched brass. Set 36252 is for the general tank details whilst set 36258 is purely for the armoured shields. This allows the modeller to choose how much extra detail or finesse they wish to add to their model. The instructions are pretty bad in that they are not very clear where parts go or how they are fitted and this is one area where Eduard really need to improve as it does spoil the enjoyment of using these sets as it can lead to frustration, which no modeller wants. Set 36252 Sheet 1 contains a new engine intake grille, the base and slatted rear parts of the two storage baskets at the rear of the vehicle, new mudflaps front and rear, a ventilated storage container for the rear of the turret. There appears to be a numbering mistake with the IR sight protection grille which made things a bit confusing. Part 11 should be numbered Part 77. This part needs to be rolled to shape and fitted around the sight unit, and the etched top can then be added. The five straps around the gun barrel are replaced with brass items and the length of plastic/brass rod inserted on top of the barrel. The rest of the set concentrates on additional straps, clamps and two perforated angular parts that are fitted either side of the main gun mantle. Sheet 2 contains most of the smaller detail items. These include the many straps, clamps, hand grips, tie-down rings and triangles fitted to the tank, along with the engine exhaust grille, brackets and clamps for the spare track links, spare machine gun ammunition box, fire extinguisher bracket, and the brackets for the ball and chain anti RPG screen to the sides and rear of the turret, (the balls and chains are not included). The 50 calibre machine gun mounted above the main gun receives new sights, handgrips, support mounting brackets, barrel hand grip, the new remote sights and firing mechanism, cable protector for the gun electrical cable, a new ammunition case, ammunition belt and belt guide. The commanders machine gun also receives and new sights, ammunition box cradle, ammunition box, support bracket and belt. There is also a new grille for the commanders main gun sight. Set 36258 The inner parts of the armoured shield are from the kit, as is the rear plate on each side. This set provides the outer plates and the very detailed and complex hangers and attachments for the completed shield. Sheet 1 contains six of the outside plates of the armoured shield, all the numerous brackets and supports for the shield plate attachments. A lot of careful bending and fitting is required with these parts as the whole shield needs to be hung off them straight and level. Sheet 2 provides the rest of the outside plates along with the brackets and “springs” for the shield to hang off. Conclusion This is another very nice set from Eduard. With the additional detail provided in these sets a completed model will look superb. As stated above this isn’t as comprehensive as some sets for the Merkava IV LIC, which actually makes it a good basis for a modeller who hasn’t had too much experience with using etched parts, but would still like to upgrade their model. There are some rather complex folds and rolling required to shape some of the parts, so having some good tools will be very useful. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of