1/35 Tamiya Merkava

[johnharrison]

Here is my entry to the I Hart Tamyia GB
going the whole hog on this one as I'm only going to use tamiya products to build this model (apart from my airbrush that is.)
Box

The box art is very basic and a bit misleading as to the colour scheme, looking on the Internet it is more green than sand.
Instructions

Normal Tamyia instructions A4 fold out.
Sprues


lots of fine detail to pick out on this one.


Update
I like to build quickly as you can see

that's the lower hull together
everything fits nicely, the wheels have got pollycaps in so going to leave them off for ease of painting later.

The worst bit about tamiya models is trying to stick the mesh


so I'm going to try something a bit drastic





that seems to have worked. just have to be careful as the glue tends to string out

Update
that's the build done.
it all went together very well apart from the mesh as I just need to refine my glue gun practice lol
There are a few small parts in this kit that fit to the side of the turret which you have to guess where they go as there is no recess markes only faint lines which are very hard to see.






Painting Plan
paints
XF-85 Rubber Black Undercoat
XF-2 White pre highlighting
XF-49 Khaki mix with XF-66 Light Gray 50 50 mix Base coat
Xf-86 Flat clear
X-11 Chrome silver
XF-52 Flat earth

[ForbesHutton]

I built that kit as a kid in 1983 or 84.

I just liked the shape of the Merk I so much I built it again last year. The first version was the best looking, then the started getting redneck with latter versions. You should know your style is questionable when you start following the lead of pick-up drivers:


(For those that are in more tasteful continents, yes, they are what you think. They're called "Truck Nuts". They serve no purpose whatsoever except to damage the car behind when the attachment ring snaps do to rust weaking it.)

And taking a bad thing too far:

[Bissyboat]

Looking good mate.