Merkava IV LIC (1/35) from Academy, extremely good value for what you get

[Captain Headache]

One of my 1/35 AFV models, beautiful and imposing beast. The kit is decently detailed, lots of pieces (especially the tracks, segmented). The model fits well together except for the machineguns that were really difficult and the PE parts in the back of the turret. 

The model was primed with Mr Surfacer black, then the main coat was a mix of Tamiya sand and Medium gray, then weathering with Tamiya brown panel liner followed with Tamiya weathering master kit (Light sand mostly). A final coat of very slight Tamiya sand was used to give it a bit of a dusty effect as I wanted it to look like it's in an Urban war zone. The tarp in the back of the turret was just made with a piece of a cloth from an old T-shirt molded with some mix of Elmer's glue and water.

 

With Academy so far I noticed that the decals can be hit or miss, but the main thing about this model was the price, it is about 50-60% of what you would usually pay for other models of same quality, so an extremely good value. 

 

Please let me know what you think, and if you have any questions or criticisms, and I hope my photo taking skills are adequate. 

 

Thank you 

 

[KingCobra]

Nice and clean build, very good. I like IDF vehicles.

 

One question/ hint though: the balls and chains hanging from the turret are flat. Are those photoetched parts coming directly from the kit? In my eyes they are the one thing giving it away as a kit on the first look. At least you should remove the contact point to the PE frame at the bottom of the balls.

 

'nuff said. Did I mention I really like your kit?

 

Best regards André

[Pete1961]

Very nicely done.

[Stef N.]

Brilliantly painted model. Love the fabric on the turret basket, that has been handled very well.

[Milan Mynar]

Excellent paintwork.

[Bullbasket]

Great job all round. Nice work.

 

John.