Hobby boss Merkava Mk.3d

[Jmart95]

Here's one I did a few months back, went together pretty well. This kit was absolutetly fantastic, lots of fiddly bits between the working track and the turret ball and chain armor, but the kit truly just fell together. I did have some trouble however getting the green right(well...closse enough ), I repainted it nearly a dozen times to get the right mix of green, grey, and tan, so as much as I love the tamiya laquers, so next time I do IDF armor I'll buy the AMMO idf colors instead.. I'll eventually use the picture frame for a diorama base, but I haven't made my mind up yet for a scene. I also left off the white stripe on the barrel)the kit supplies a decal, but that would never conform to the detail), and I have no idea yet as to how I can mask it off. Feel free to make any critiques as well, and thanks for taking a look

[Coen]

That looks totally cool! Doing sand weathering on a sand coloured vehicle is always tricky, especially on IDF vehicles. Looks the nuts!

[AchtungPanzer]

Super work . Your Merkava looks extra

[Hillbilly]

Beautiful weathering and pigment work. The barrel stripe might be kind of a pain in the arse but I would just put a strip of Tamiya tape down each side of the barrel and two pieces at each end and some more tape to protect the rest of the tank from overspray.

[rodrant]

Looks great ! I'm doing the Meng Merkava right now , and also I'm thinking on the colors , will go for the AK Middle east set ...and for primer will use Vallejo IDF Sand grey ...but it is hard to reach the color , and yes the barrel stripes will be hard to manage .

Your build its great ! Like a lot all of the details , and the painting job is amazing , it is really hard to do the weathering on this paint tone , you've done that very well ! Did you did any anti-skid surface ? I'm wondering not to put any in my model ...

[Jmart95]

Thanks guys! The anti-skid was actually molded on with the hobby boss kit(which is why i chose it rather than the meng), but i watched a build on youtube showing how to texture the meng kit, ill link it when im home from work. As for the stripe, its going to be a challenge as its straight along the top if the barrel, so im thinking its going to take a mix of tamiya tape and silly putty, and a whole lot of time to do it right. I think it will be worth it when i make the base for it, but for now i ll just leave good enough alone.

[Hillbilly]

I agree,I think the stripe would make for a nice contrast with all that green.

[PaulAyrey]

Ooooh, that's lovely! Well done a first class finish!

[gustavlekstal]

Top shelf!! Great weathering.
I had an interesting read from a idf tankcrewman that the paint they use actually varies from diffrent units. They have a standard but when they are in the field they mix their own paint, and paint them before inspection.
Do you remember your paintmix? Im building a merkava myself and using tamiya paints.
Ive come this far.
2parts xf3 5parts xf8 2 parts xf15

[JediBoer]

Nice work on the Merkava! Just love the weathering you did!