Kit: No. 1391
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Academy, distributed by MRC, P.O. Box 6312, Edison, NJ 08818-6312, &732-225-6360
Price: $32
Comments: Injection molded, 399 parts (45 cast metal, 44 vinyl, 1 thread for rope), decals
Pros: Easy construction, good fit, long-awaited subject
Cons: No interior detail, tricky ball-and-chain armor, stiff vinyl track, no accessories for storage bins
Since its inception, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has relied on foreign countries (mainly the United States and Britain) for its armor. However, Israel made it a priority in the 1970s to develop an indigenous main battle tank. In 1979, the Merkava (“Chariot”) was unveiled. While slower and less mobile than other main battle tanks, the Merkava’s front-mounted engine, rear escape hatch, and low sloped front hull and turret enhance crew survivability. The Merkava exceeded expectations in its first action, 1982’s invasion of Lebanon.

The Merkava Mk.III was introduced in 1989. Upgrades included a redesigned turret with a 120mm smooth-bore gun, 1,200 HP diesel engine, and modular spaced armor, which provides easy upgrades and quick repairs. Other improvements include the change of the suspension from a Christie design to a torsion-bar system.

Academy’s Merkava Mk.III kit is molded in tan plastic with black vinyl tires. The ball-and-chain armor that protects the rear undercut of the turret is cast in white metal. There are a lot of parts in the kit, and 58 are leftover suspension parts from Academy’s earlier Merkava Mk.II. The tracks are one-piece vinyl with crisp detail on both sides. There’s no interior, but all the hatches can be posed open. No crew figures are included.

The nine-page instructions have 15 steps, a parts map, pictures of the finished model, and color notes. Unlike most tank models, construction starts with the turret then goes onto the hull and suspension. I had to file the locating pin on turret side (kit part No. D1) to make it fit properly, and a little filler was needed where D1 and D2 meet the front of the turret.

Placement of the smoke discharger mounting bracket, fire extinguisher, wind sensor, and other small turret details were vague, but photos in my references helped.

The gun barrel does not elevate. I drilled the holes for the white-metal ball-and-chain armor before the basket was assembled. I used a .039″ bit to drill holes every .10″. There were several sink holes in the basket that had to be filled with super glue.

I removed the tabs on the turret ring to allow the turret to be mounted without damaging the white-metal parts and ease adjustment of the length of the chains. I ended up with four-link lengths on the basket and two links on the turret. Even if you’re careful, you’ll probably break off and replace several during construction.

I cemented the hull halves before adding the suspension. This was made easier by the poly caps buried inside each wheel and sprocket. Sheet styrene was needed to close a gap around the exhaust (E28), and a little filler was used in the front of the hull between the top and bottom. The hull’s rear deck has outlines for the tools molded on, so I sanded them off and used the directions for the proper placement. You can see the tools only when the turret is swung to the side.
The vinyl road-wheel tires are a touch greater in diameter than the wheels, but they end up looking OK. I left off the road wheels and tracks until after the model was painted. The pins for connecting the vinyl track are fragile, so I used thread to help strengthen the joints – glue would not work on this vinyl.
I painted my Merkava with Tamiya khaki drab to match photos in Concord’s Tank Battles of the Mid-East Wars (2) The Wars of 1973 to the Present. I lightened this with an overspray of Pactra’s Israeli yellow, then dry-brushed with Poly S armor sand. The instructions’ suggestion of “Sinai Gray” is not helpful. I used light gray for the striping on the gun barrel. The tracks and tow cables are dark brown with rust and steel highlights. All rubber parts were painted black enamel with dry-brush Poly S grimy black.

Two marking options are provided. I chose the 188th “Barak” Armored Brigade, Northern Israel, 1990. Even after a gloss clear coat, I had trouble getting the decals to conform to the rivet detail on the side skirts. Solvaset and tiny cuts eventually worked them into submission.

The vinyl tracks were stiff, so I first attached the front sprocket to the hull, then looped the track around it, placed the rear idler wheel and road wheels (alternating front to back) then added the side skirts.

I couldn’t find measurements of the Mk.III; the Israelis are still secretive about it, but the finished model looks right when compared with photos in Verlinden Publications’ Warmachines No. 11 and Museum Ordnance Special Number 12.

I spent about 23 hours on my Merkava, much of that devoted to assembly (and repair) of the ball-and-chain armor. With that exception, Academy’s kit is easy to build, and does not disappoint.

– Michael Scharf