Award Winner Built Academy 1/35 IDF MERKAVA IV Main Battle Tank +PE

Award winner built with life like Track Links, outstanding details throughout whole model and very high standard accuracy on every individual part, beautiful Sinai Gray color scheme, turn-able turret and gun, add PE brass engine and deck grills, brass mount and clasps and etched brass also includes the vehicle serial number plates as well as end pates for the hull stowage bins, the floor of the bustle basket and most importantly, the metal ball chain armor around the lower edge of the rear of the turret, this protection which received the somewhat flippant nicknames Dingle Balls or Chi-Chi Balls, the road / idler wheels and drive sprockets have detail on both sides with great tooth ring details, side skirts are also separate with nice details, the upper hull with plenty of fine detail including weld marks and more, the lower hull realistically reproduced features some nice details such as suspension, axles, rollers separate for good detail definition, finely detailed deck surface and engine grille reproducing, add machine gun, on vehicle tools and more accessories. Airbrushed and painted, base color with primer for better detail and shading, multi-color filters for blend color effects, oil and water wash with panels, doors, rivets finishing, detail paint job on rust and paint chips off with scratches looking, worn and bare metal realistic simulating, flow rust and rain streaks effects, great engine smoke representing, also smear and dirt with mud and dust appearing, dry brushing to emphasis and highlighting texture with edge for good wear and fading, more on real live weathering with decals and unit markings, final protective layer for long term collection. From its establishment in 1948, the armed forces of Israel have fought to retain its freedom and existence, sometimes against staggering odds.

In the numerous conflicts that have fought since 1948, the Israelis were forced to obtain aircraft and armaments from a variety of second-hand sources. As Israel grew and began to prosper, it began to acquire new weapons for defense and was able to muster a modern force structure while keeping older weapons ready in reserve. When the weapons embargoes were put into place during the 1973 war, Israel started in earnest to develop its own defense industries to reduce its dependence on international sources. Today, Israel`s technologies are second to none and now instead of importing all of its armaments, it imports and exports these capabilities around the world.

In the arena of armor, Israel operated a variety of second-hand tanks, and while it standardized on the M4 Sherman and Centurion, these were upgraded and up-gunned as well. These tanks remained in service with the reserves as the M60 assumed front-line service, and all of these tanks proved their worth in the 1973 war against the Syrians. The Egyptians were far more formidable and the M60s (operating without infantry) suffered against the latest anti-tank guided missiles.

The surviving (and salvaged) M60s were upgraded into the Magach series that employed progressively improved armor protection technologies. Taking the lessons learned from the 1973 war and the technologies that evolved out of that conflict, Israel developed its first indigenous tank - Merkava (Chariot). The Merkava employed a number of innovative approaches to keep Israel`s most valuable assets - its soldiers - safe. First, the engine compartment was moved to the front of the hull, so even a penetrating frontal shot would only disable the engine and still protect the drive further aft.

Second, the turret was built low-profile, so the tanks would not be spotted as early on the desert battlefield as the much taller M48 and M60 tanks. Third, the turret and frontal armor slope was less steep than other tank designs which provided more effective protection for the crew.

In the rear of the Merkava where the engine would have been, a set of clamshell doors provide rear access for a squad of soldiers who can ride in the rear of the tank if needed. In its first combat action in Lebanon in 1982, the running observation of the Merkava Mk. I was that it was a very effective tank, though it had serious braking problems - it wouldn`t stop until it reached the outskirts of Beruit.

Even so, the Merkava was designed for open battlefield combat and its actions inside Beruit revealed some needed improvements to support urban warfare. II retained the original 105mm main gun, but added additional armor protection. III followed with more engine power, improved drivetrain, and the 120mm main gun. The current version is the Mk.

IV, which incorporates the latest in armor protection, new tracks, improved fire control, and digital command and control capabilities. The item "Award Winner Built Academy 1/35 IDF MERKAVA IV Main Battle Tank +PE" is in sale since Friday, November 26, 2010. This item is in the category "Toys & Hobbies\Models & Kits\Military\Armor". The seller is "dreamworkshobby" and is located in Scarborough, Ontario. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Brand: Academy
MPN: Does Not Apply
Scale: 1:35
Composition: Injection Model