IDF Merkava 3D Chain Set (for Meng) - 1:35 ET Model

[Mike]

Israeli Merkava 3D Chain Set (for Meng)

1:35 ET Model

The Meng Model Merkava 3D has been roundly praised for the quality of the kit, but as always you can improve on injection moulded kits with other media. One of the prime candidates on any of the later Merkavas is the ball & chain skirt that acts as stand-off armour in the potential shot-trap under the turret bustle at the rear of the turret. These flexible chains are designed to detonate shaped charges such as the ubiquitous RPG early, causing their force to be dissipated by the time it touches the main armour.

The set arrives in ET Model's now familiar flat-pack with thick outer clear plastic sleeve with green header card and stiff black backing card. Taped to this is a small (6.3cm x 5.8cm) Photo-Etch (PE) fret, plus a bag that contains another postage-stamp sized fret, a length of chain and a lot of small brass ball bearings with a recessed hole bored into them. The Meng kit has the chains moulded into the rear wall of the bustle basket, and this set removes those parts, replacing them with the real thing in miniature. The chain is cut into short sections as per the instructions, and a tiny hook is added to each ball from the smaller fret. The balls are then hung on the chains to give an exact replica of the real thing. The chains are then attached to PE rails that are glued to the edges of the basket, and the long "fingers" are folded around the first chain link to retain them.

Each chain is measured by the number of links (called "knots" in the instructions), so you will need to keep them all separate to avoid having to recount each one every time you come to use them. There are seven different lengths, the shortest having the ball hanging directly from the rail, the longest having six links between the ball and rail. In addition to this, a new finely etched PE basket bottom is included, with three supports that fix to the underside, giving a better scale look.

Conclusion

What a great idea! No two dimensional PE chain, but instead a real chain and real ball bearings. Each hole in the balls extends roughly the length of the hook shaft, so there is nothing to tidy up when you have completed the job. Take care, take your time and you will end up with a Merkava that stands out from the crowd.

Very highly recommended.

Available soon from White Ensign Models in the UK

Review Sample courtesy of

[Dads203]

I know someone who picked up a Merkava at Telford, (nick) i reckon these will be on his want list !