IDF Merkava IV LIC Etch sets, Eduard 1:35 for Academy

[Shar2]

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