Meng 1/35 Merkava MK.3 BAZ

Post by **DC87** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:47 pm

Despite the fact I have a couple of builds on the bench already I couldn't resist starting this kit.

The kit is the Meng Merkava BAZ with the Nochri Dalet mine roller.

This looks like it's going to be a fantastic build - the box is deeper than most tank boxes yet is really a little to shallow for the sheer amount of stuff inside.

The instructions come in the form of a well bound booklet and is the first set of instructions that I have wanted to keep for after the build as these are in my opinion a work of art.

The instructions also contain a COLOUR section for the painting guide which is a very nice touch - The instructions are also clear and well laid out. Overall the instructions are beautiful

Okay enough gushing about the instructions and onto the kit

.
A bonus for me is that the sprue parts are in their number order and are next to their corresponding parts in the instructions which is something I have long grumbled about with other manufacturers.

Even though the mine roller is one of the final steps I had to build it first due to it being very very cool

.

Here is a comparison with the real thing - Meng utilised the expertise of Michael Mass who is an IDF tank expert and as result the kit is extremely accurate.

A fiddly little kit within a kit but brilliantly engineered as I shall explain:
Allot of reviews and builds that I have seen complain that this kit suffers from poor fit - this is NOT the case. This kit recreates the real tank with an incredible attention to detail, the mine rollers are the best example.

The real Nochri Dalet system is designed to sag and allows for movement of each wheel independantly. Mengs kit has recreated this and as a result there is a gap in between each wheel and they are quite loose giving the impression of rather a poor fit. I was certain of this at first before I did some research which revealed this picture:

Hopefully you can see that the mine roller wheels are not resting on the ground parallel to each other but are independant. Praise goes to Meng for engineering the kit with such accuracy but one feels they should have made efforts to explain it in the instructions.

You may have noticed a hole on top of the support arm for the mine roller, this was cut out by me and is not present on the kit. I am copying the mine roller as shown on the above picture which shows the same hole which is used to store tools and equipment for repair.

Overall perhaps the best kit I have purchased after doing the initial opening and building steps, if anyone would like me to do a step by step of the left mine roller to help with future builds then please let me know below.

Post by **Tamiyasnob** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:23 pm

Excellent kit choice bud, I think this is going to be an epic build. Top stuff with the research and the picture ,s the Merkava is one of the coolest tank,s I have seen, I built the Academy kit and it doesn't,t look a patch on this ,the moulding,s look superb.

Dave.

Post by **Tiger131** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:35 pm

cool start to a very cool looking vehicle keep the pics coming

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:37 pm

Looks good, lots of nice Merkava kits out there, tempting me!

I look forward to following this build.

Post by **Paul** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:36 pm

Nice looks a great kit, got to get me one if these meng kits

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:38 pm

Never done a Meng kit but from the looks of yours their very good and detailed.

Post by **DC87** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:42 pm

Thanks guys I definitely recommend picking this up - there are still some left on ebay listed as ''damaged box'' which is what I got, next to no damage but they can't put it on the shelves.

I was wondering why my box was so full and it turns out it has an extra sprue N so if anyone wants some Nochri Dalet mine roller arms let me know.

I will now go through the mine roller construction step by step - minus a few smaller details which I have left until it is painted.

All the parts *actualy theese aren't all the parts as I forgot some

Step one
This is a fiddly start to the build as you need to place a piece of string in between two parts to make a bracket and do the same with some chain.

The chain needs to be carefully placed around a pin to hold it in place - unless you have small hands like me some small tweezers will be needed.

The instructions are slightly confusion as they call for the chain to be 7 links long but the diagrams show 9 links, 7 links is correct for the real tank so is used in this build.

Oh both the chain and string are provided in the kit

Step 2 - It gets a bit easier/ simpler now as the arms get built. Note the instructions call for the brackets with the string to be attached with no glue but this leaves a small gap, if you don't know how the model will be displayed when finished then leave it unglued as per the instructions so it has some pose-ability but if it is going on a flat base like mine is then glue it so as to hide the gap.

Step 3 + 4 - Attaching the wheels and arms, the instructions don't say whether they should be glued or not but I feel they should be left unglued so as to allow them movement and realism.

Here we go both the rollers done bar small details.

Post by **NovYank** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 12:11 am

Great build so far!!! I just saw the mine rollers and I already want to buy this kit. I'm looking forward to following this build.

Meng is really pulling out all the stops in their kits. They know what is new and interesting and they provide it. Not only that but they make the entire building process a great experience.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 1:15 am

All that I can see DC is

Oooooooo!
Soooo Niiice!

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:53 am

Looks a amazing kit mate good luck with the rest of the build fella.

Post by **alextheblue** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:53 am

Very nice DC. Really liking the step-by-step, extremely useful.

Before joining the forum I would have sworn that it was only WWII armour for me, but since joining I have modern armour, planes and even sci-fi on my wish-lst. Gonna have to get myself a second job..............but wait, that gives me less time for model making!!!!

My Youtube Channel · Post by **NorthernSwede** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 1:08 pm

Looks like a really awesome kit and as previous said, really nice with the step by step pictures.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:08 pm

Oh ! that is looking pretty darn cool !

We want more.... plz !

Post by **DC87** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:22 pm

Thanks:
Tamiyasnob
Tiger131
Gav
Paul
Guppy
NovYank
Coen
Nige
Alex
NoorthernSwede
Norm
for following the build and your great comments

- an update will be along shortly.

Post by **DC87** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:42 pm

The build continues - this evening I built the right side of the hull minus the springs so without further or do:

All the bits for step 1 laid out:

Meng provide a choice of 2 wheel types and as such you need to choose between steel:

and rubber:

types before commencing.

I chose the rubber as seen in this reference photo:

I will however use the steel type for the front wheels as it seems that with the mine rollers the Merkava's front wheels must take allot of blast damage as they are always different to the rest of the wheels as you can see here:

The above photo also shows if you look carefully that the third wheel is neither the rubber or steel type because the rubber is not fitted - I will also model this on my Merkava.

The support arms for the bogies have there part numbers molded onto them, this needs to be removed, this is something that is easily missed and would be difficult to remove later on:

For each wheel set a vinyl block needs to be added onto the pin:

The wheels and bogies after compeltion of step 1:

Here it is after the completion of step 5:

The above steps have been very easy with a great fit for all parts - the only difficulties have come from me trying to replicate the different wheels through sanding down the rubber tyres.

Here is a sneaky pic of the profile of the Merkava

:

I think the tracks are on the wrong way round but are only sellotaped before anyone points it out

All for now folks, thanks for dropping by

Post by **russ2471** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 12:37 am

Cracking so far dc, I think you may be replicating a wheel that's shed it's rubber which is fair play if you've had the tenacity to sand all the rubber off. I don't think I'll be doing that on mine

. Just a quick question, from your research have you any idea why the wheel configuration is four and two and not equidistant on the hull? I'm still pondering it the only thing I can think of is weight distribution

. Lovin the thread though mate I can only aspire to such detail

Post by **DC87** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:05 am

With the Merkava it is unique in having the engine at the front, it also has it's heaviest traditional armour over the engine bay so the front is much heavier thus the need to distribute it in order to handle like other MBT's.

The shed tyre look is what I am now going for as the way the wheels are constructed makes it difficult to just have the base wheel.

''tenacity'' - I think it's more madness

.

Post by **DC87** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:08 am

Quick idea for the future - looking at my last pic I think I will have to build this kit again in the future creating a full turret interior with the exterior panels missing

.

Post by **russ2471** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:35 am

DC87 wrote:Quick idea for the future - looking at my last pic I think I will have to build this kit again in the future creating a full turret interior with the exterior panels missing .

my brain has started bleeding just thinking about that

you are indeed very very mad

Post by **Coen** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:51 am

BUT IT WOULD BE SO COOL!!

Post by **russ2471** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:57 am

Agreed coen but the detail would be off the scale man ...just think breech, breech mechanism, ammunition, radios, gun control, ventilation and if I remember rightly your the man who went weak kneed looking through a millennium falcon intruction book with a "few extra pieces" the other day

Post by **Coen** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 2:22 am

I know... I've done a few interiors... they're a hell of a lot of fiddly work and they have to be acurate to look right.
But sooo nice.

As for that weak kneed comment.... we have a saying here in Canada for just that type of thing.
Bite me.

Kidding... you should have seen those holes Russ... it was nuts!
You would have wimbled too if you'd seen it up close (which you would have if I was a better cameraman

)

Post by **DC87** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:01 pm

Russ and Coen it can be sorted with a simple duel - pistols at dawn sound OK!!!

Completed the other set of wheels and attached all the springs - pics of that later.

The next bit may not look like much but it was incredibly fiddly and a bit of a mess at times.

The doors are designed to be movable which involved fitting them to some very tight fitting brackets - superglue would be advisable for attaching the brackets as they need to be strong to support the doors. I used normal plastic glue hence why I got into a bit of a mess.

Before I started the build I hadn't realised the rear doors could be opened so I think I will scratchbuild the medical bay in the rear as per this:

Or I will just do this:

Hopefully I will get some more done later so watch this space.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:11 pm

I will fall over and die if you scratch either of those DC.
That would be beyond cool if you could display that with the doors open.
and WOW those doors are thick!

Post by **NovYank** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:22 pm

Wicked build man!!!!

Nice to see a tutorial that is actually useful on a thread (making fun of myself, not saying anything about other tutorials). All this info and research will definitely be helpful to others build theirs.

Can't wait to see your future progress, if it's anything like your progress so far, this will be a spectacular build!!!!

Post by **Lee** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:52 pm

Love this build

Post by **DC87** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:46 pm

First of all it turns out the last pic I posted was the Namer APC which is based on the Merkava hull so unfortunately I can't recreate that fantastic interior. The rear of the Merkava is mainly used for ammunition storage and as such is rather sparse.

Pictures of the Merkava interior are hard to come by but I did find this excellent video:
[youtube]dSww8vkjGIM[/youtube]

Here is the suspension which went together with no fuss:

Base work for the rear interior - I had to cut some supporting braces so added some struts across the upper hull:

I was considering doing some detail for the drivers position as the drivers hatch is huge but for some reason the Kit hull cuts through the drivers position so I will have to cover it.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:48 pm

Excellent build dude. Looks like a really nice kit.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:19 pm

"I was considering doing some detail for the drivers position as the drivers hatch is huge but for some reason the Kit hull cuts through the drivers position so I will have to cover it."

Is it because the lower hull is too narrow?
Or is the driver's hatch in the wrong place?

Post by **DC87** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:03 pm

Coen- pretty sure it is too narrow as the drivers hatch seems to be correct.

Here is where the kit hull is:

This is where I think it should be:

You can see that the hull doesn't line up with the upper track guards.

Here is a nice image of Merkava's under construction:

Here is an image of the interior form an MK1:

Made some ammo boxes for the rear interior:

Post by **Tamiyasnob** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:11 am

Hey DC, did you know there is a build review of this kit in the Tamiya Model military international magazine, it,s quite in depth and explain,s how to add anti-slip texturing and the weathering is also covered in detail as well

Post by **DC87** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:24 am

Tamiyasnob wrote: Hey DC, did you know there is a build review of this kit in the Tamiya Model military international magazine, it,s quite in depth and explain,s how to add anti-slip texturing and the weathering is also covered in detail as well

I didn't but I shall have to check it out now - thanks for letting me know

Post by **DC87** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 1:09 am

I have just found some more excellent reference pics from the interweb:

If you have watched the video I posted earlier you will notice how much dirtier the inside of a tank is on operations when operating in the Middle East.

I am no rivet counter but the partitioning wall I added to the rear interior was based off the video which I now realise is taken inside a MK 4 whereas the above photos are form an MK 3 so I will need to do some snipping tomorrow

.

Post by **RED** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 12:35 am

cracking build mate

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:11 am

It seems the issue with the lower hull being too narrow has caused quite a stir on other forums and has led to heated debate, a simple google search of 1/35 narrow merkava hull shows this.

It seems the lower hull is indeed too narrow and is likely the result of the way it has been designed to form in the mold.

Here is a juicy pic to compare with the one I took of the Meng kit a couple of posts back:

Anyhow other than that the kit is superb and I haven't noticed any issues with the profile of the tank given the hull error so I shall continue as if the lower hull is correct and leave it at that to avoid getting ISM caught up in the debate.

I did some more work on the interior today which I will put up soon.

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:17 am

In other words... close da hatch capt'n
Problem solved eh?.

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:30 am

Coen wrote:In other words... close da hatch capt'n
Problem solved eh?.

Yes that would do it

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:30 pm

In a moment of what some might call madness I have decided to produce an interior for the turret so here goes:

Gunners sights for the 120mm cannon:

Mounted on turret ring:

Commanders position:

I also fitted the turret sides, the fit of which wasn't great but nothing some putty can't sort:

Here is the rear interior with the ammo crates, I will add some food boxes and crew kit on the other side:

Tomorrow the breach and loaders position.

Post by **Paul** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:34 pm

Nice scratch building

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:43 pm

You're building an interior, by scratch...you're crazy man!!!!

Good luck with the build; and can't wait to see some more.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:57 pm

DC you crazy man!!!

Looks great your scratch building skills know no limits lol

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:00 pm

Madness... Madness I say.
I also say AWESOME!

Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:24 pm

My god your a mad genius DC love it.

Post by **DC87** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:48 pm

Gun breech and ammo basket done today, not much more to say really - a picture says a thousand words

so here you go:

Note the kit comes with no breech or interior at all.

Post by **muskegman** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:19 pm

I am usually an aircraft builder and in fact i have never built any tanks or armour, that I can remember

but since joining this forum and watching all you guys building armour I think I might just have to go out and get myself a tank and give it a go

DC your build looks fantastic and is a very interesting subject, thanks for the inspiration. This is what I love about this forum, everyone sharing different ideas and the wide range of subjects involved.

Mark

Post by **wappynutter** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:28 pm

Amazing bit of scratch building there DC.....
Not bad at all my friend, this is going to look well cool..

Post by **Lee** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:28 pm

Awesome my friend

Post by **Coen** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:29 am

muskegman wrote:I am usually an aircraft builder and in fact i have never built any tanks or armour, that I can remember but since joining this forum and watching all you guys building armour I think I might just have to go out and get myself a tank and give it a go DC your build looks fantastic and is a very interesting subject, thanks for the inspiration. This is what I love about this forum, everyone sharing different ideas and the wide range of subjects involved.

Mark

Funny, with the beautiful aircraft builds that I've seen here these last weeks, as well as some of the collections I was just thing the opposite... I've even picked up a nice little aircraft kit to start with.

DC... my face falleth open with unworthiness Dude.
That breach is disgusting and you should be ashamed to call yourself a modeller doing such and incredible piece of work.
I'm going to go shoot myself now.

Seriously though... Stellar work Buddy. To build all of that up from nothing takes real skills. Up there with Tony Greenland type skills.
It's very edifying and exciting watching you build this.

Post by **Lee** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 10:04 am

Coen wrote:
I've even picked up a nice little aircraft kit to start with.

Welcome Coen - Now you will feel the POWER (in a James Earl Jones voice) of the dark side.....

Post by **Coen** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:18 am