Meng Merkava 3D Updates - 1:35 ET Model

[Mike]

Merkava 3D Updates (for Meng)
1:35 ET model

Meng's first foray into 1:35 Armour was the 3D Early, which has been well received by AFV modellers, and IDF modellers alike as being a good kit, representing the Israeli's Main Battle Tank well. Meng have released these two update sets to improve on the base kit, adding additional detail that isn't possible within the constraints of an injection moulded kit.

Merkava Mk.3D "Basic" (E35-158)
As usual with ET Models, ignore the "basic" moniker, as this set is far from basic, comprising ten sheets of Photo-Etched (PE) brass of various sizes, and a small bag of six biconvex springs. In standard fashion, the assemblies are built up in isolation, before being attached to the hull or turret, following diagrams with legends that match the assembly steps. The hull is detailed first, having new armoured grilles built up from PE on the front fenders, mudflaps at the front and rear, tool tie-downs, rear-stowage boxes at the side of the crew accessway, a mesh vent over the exhaust louvers and many tie-downs, handles and small plates that are dotted round the upper surface.

The turret receives the same treatment with a a comprehensive upgrade of the centrally mounted 0.50cal machine gun with cooling jacket, mount, day/night-vision optics, ammunition can, plus the spent cartridge basket. The other two turret mounted close-defence weapons are also given new ammo can and gunsight details using the two supplied types, with the boxes mounted transverse for the stockless weapon, and perpendicular for the other. Spare ammunition boxes are lashed to racks on the roof of the turret, close to the guns for easy reach, and the myriad bolt-heads on the forward reactive armour are removed and replaced by PE bolts from one of the small sheets. The gun jacket has its chunkier strapping removed and replaced by PE alternatives, while the turret-mounted panoramic sight in front of the replacement PE commander's cupola are given a pair of clamshell doors for protection when not in use. The two smoke grenade launchers at the front corners of the turret are given more scale brackets, and the infrared jamming turret at the rear left of the turret is removed and replaced by a rolled PE part with a flat disc on top. The rear bustle has some hooks stowage racks and track-link tie-downs added, with the springs used at the base of the numerous antennae that the 3D sports.

Merkava Mk.3D Side Skirts
On opening the bag, my brain was sent into a small tail-spin because all of the frets in the set are marked as "WWII German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J Basic", which is probably due to the CAD artist not changing the text while he was designing the set, and at least a few sets sneaking under the radar. Looking at the instructions confirms that this IS the correct set, and even the fret diagram shows the incorrect designation. We'll file that one under "Mistakes", sub-section "No harm done".

The set consists of four 9.5cm² frets of brass, and replaces the whole side-skirt area of the kit, and a small bag containing two biconvex springs (not pictured). Each section is made up from the basic blocks found on sheets D, which are folded up to a rectangular shape, with one end tapered front and back. These are then skinned with the outer panel, which had etched bolt-heads for attachment, and a wavy-edged skirt that hangs down below the armour blocks. These are mounted in pairs on a bracket, which in turn mounts to the side of the tank at positions marked on the final diagrams. Short lengths of 1mm rod are needed to add location pegs to the blocks, as well as to the hull, which must have holes drilled at corresponding locations. A pair of short aerials are mounted on the rearmost block, which is why there are two biconvex springs in the back to use as their dampers.


Conclusion
The "basic" package is a sizeable set with a lot of updates, few of which should tax the less adept PE user. I'm not sure why the commander's hatch is replaced with the more grandiose cupola, but I'm sure an IDF expert will pop up shortly to explain. A good value set which will add plenty of visual interest to your build.

The side-skirt set adds extra detail that isn't present on the simplified kit parts, which have simple lugs attaching the whole skirt to the tank, rather than the complex attachment points that exist on the real thing. A genuine improvement in the level of detail should result if built with care.

available soon from White Ensign Models in the UK

Review Sample courtesy of