Academy 1/35 merkava 3

Saw WizardCraft's Merkava 3 build log and felt itchy to share my build too. WizardCraft, let's have a group build. :D
Actually this is an old build, one of the kits in my repaint list. I started this build before Panzer 1, and already post on others forum. But within a week, Israel attack Gaza. I scare to menyinggung perasaan forumers, that's why i stop my build and didn't post here.
I think it's time for me to post it here, and continue my build.

Masking, prepare for the anti-skid pattern.


After i study some reference, i decided to make it by fine sand, The real anti-skid does look like "big sand" on tank... :)
After a spray of Anchor brand clear coat, i put on fine sand. When finished touch up, another layer of clear coat to make sure the sand stick to the surface. This is how it look after a light coat of surfacer.


Close up look of the anti-skid pattern. Not satisfy with the result, overscale.




From this picture, you can see i had replace the chains and metal balls under the rack of turret. It's not nice, too few and over scale too, but that's the smallest chains and metal balls i can get.:(


Added some simple detail on the side skirts.


Already finished the base color, can proceed to weathering anytime.


Please feel free to give comments and critics.

:huh: whenever ahhow build a tank I always amaze of it..even masking a tank :o ..I never done it before..good progress work..keep it comming :D

Nice build. I should start my Merkava 4 too !!.. :ph43r:

Some IDF photo & modelling site link;

http://idf-armor.blogspot.com/

http://idfmodelling.free.fr/refvehicle.html

cheers

Ok, no problemo .... Im in

for the anti skid I will be using plastic powder from my factory..... this powder also applicable for winter diorama.... since it's white in colour....

Need your help on this few problems

1 What is the gunze colour code for this merkava??? the instruction stated sinai grey. what colour r u using??

2 Photo reference mainly on the anti skid and any battle damaged pics also helful ;)

will buy a merkava 4....

have to wait for hobby boss offering

happy modelling guys....

Regards Alvin

Thanks guys for your replies.

BlackHeart:
Whenever u scratch build a tank i always amaze of it...:blink: U r the sifu, please show us more.....!

WizardCraft:
For the color, i just "cincai" mix my version by dilute olive drab, black, white, yellow, etc all together. So, no color code available. But i think this should be not a problem, if u search photos of Merkava via google image, u can see there is so many different color, from dark to very bright tone. Just choose the one u like most :D

here's the reference, after i saw the reference, i noticed Academy miss so much details.........:wacko:
http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/merkava.htm

Ahhow,
are you going to add anymore layers of top coat to the anti-skid to tone down the grains? Might work.

Thanks for your suggestion, Loo. I should had think of this solution before....<_<

But no more layer will be add, color already on, weathering already in the process.
I build this kit awfully in the past, now i just wanna improve it slightly, so this gonna be a fast build if compare to my other project, haha. :D

Some update: sand added

Even though I don't like the country but I do like the design of this tank. The weathering look real.

How,

U r an artist...the effect is damn good.

Thanks Arzwarth & BV. ^_^

Some more update, wheels, tracks & side armour on.

How

not bad.. very nice. must copy cat, hope that u dont mind.... :lol: :lol:

I will update mine soon...

:o :o :o :o :o wowwwwwwwwwwwww. brother ahhow, this is not possible, Oh my goddddd. This is plastic right? how did you make it look like real metal. Teach us lahhhh huhu :cry:.

How did you get the metal effect, I mean like rusted metal on the sprocket etc. Is it using airbrush or pastel or .......

Real respect for your skills. I dont know how to explain this :o :o Keep em coming bro :lol:

Thanks, this is just a normal build, what would u like to copy...?:D
Hope to see your update soon.

Thanks brother.

It was painted by brush with metallic color. And finally the edges rub with 2B pencil powder for better result.

just the anti skid only :lol:

Please remember to filter the sand as tiny as u can, don't copy my mistake. :D

Felt boring and finished it as fast as i can.







A very lousy finished build can be view here:
http://z12.invisionfree.com/ScaleModelsMal...5697&st=0&#last

I thought I'm looking at a real tank on top of a granite floor..!! Well done How.

Haha, i think u overpraise me.... :lol:

Thanks anyway.

A very real tank on a glossy floor!!! Ah how your builts are superb!!!!!!