IDF (Israeli Defence Force)

[Guest]

Although I have spent the last couple of months not really doing much modelling, I have had a bit of a project bouncing around in my head.

Some time ago, I purchased the AFV Club IDF Shot Centurion which I have yet to start. However, while on holiday on the Isle of White, we visited the well worth a visit military museum on the island. Apart from the most amazing scrapyard of military vehicles I have ever seen, they have a superb T-54 which I spent a while drooling over. In the shop they had the Tamiya T-55 which my beloved Kate bought for me.

My first thought was, Oooo, Syrian but there is quite a bit involved expense wise in converting it, loads of resin about. However, it could be used to depict any of the earlier Arab T-55s in Russian green and equipment.

The worse bit is that it has got me hooked on the whole Arab Israeli war thing. Especially the Yom Kippur war.

Not wanting to get into the politics of all this, and I have to say that at the time of the wars, I was impressed by the daring and skill of the Israeli forces both air and ground. Although I am saddened by the current Israeli stance which is so determined to continue the conflict, I still have a soft spot for their tank warfare history. To this end, I am looking at adding some 'friends' to go with the Centurion. I have managed to source a give away priced Academy IDF Super Sherman and I have been promised the superb Merkava Mk IV from HobbyBoss as a birthday present to start the modern stuff.

What I don't know is what else did/do they have. Weirdly, I have seen a picture of an IDF T34 which I assume was a captured Arab vehicle. I know they used APCs which I assume, rightly or wrongly, would be M113s?

The question is, does anyone have any sources of info they can recommend other than just scouring the net, not being lazy but if anyone has done something similar, I am quite happy to nick their ideas lol.

Arab stuff is relatively easy in that it is nearly all Russian. So, any IDF fans out there?

[Ian M]

Sound like an interesting project Graham but alas I know diddly squat about ! I am sure that a quick search on the IDF of the period or the Yom Kippur will turn up loads of info. If it helps I'm a lazy bugger as well, so I normally search in the pictures section in google, saves having to read 500 web sites to find what you need to know.

One thing I do know is where as the Arabs where sponsored by the Russians, the Israelis where sponsored buy the US......

Ian M

[Guest]

Hi Graham,

Just a quick search on t'interweb came up with a wikipedia entry thats packed with information, Including a weapons and equipment section listing the various ground and air vehicles etc.

Israel Defense Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ian is on the right track as it states in this that " Both the U.S. and Israel participate in joint military planning and combined exercises, and have collaborated on military research and weapons development" and have done since 1983 through a "joint Political Military Group"

[Guest]

I've got a PDF of the Yom Kippur book if you fancy it Graham

[Guest]

that would be useful Andy. Would you be able to email it?

[Guest]

You are right about the tons of stuff on the internet guys. Trouble is, there is so much it is totally confusing. I was reading a bit about the captured Russian stuff they had but it appears none of it was used in combat apart from some that were striped of their engines and buried in then ground so that the turret could still be used. Then I found pictures of T34s in IDF colours but with Arabic slogans painted on them in an IDF parade. Talk about conflicting info lol.

As an aside to that, I have been given today as a birthday present the old Tamiya Leopard kit. As this came out in the 60s, I wonder if the IDF got hold of any along with the Centurion? Will have to do some digging around later.

[Centurion3RTR]

Hi Graham, had a mate who's wife is Israeli and i was trying to remember the name of the museum. Latrun is the place you need mate. Forgot i had these in my favorites too, i have the Dragon's M51 ISherman in my stash so needed these sites. I was surprised to just what they did use, hope they are of any help.

IDF Armored Corps Museum

Latrun Tank Museum

Have fun, John

[Guest]

They are great links John, very useful, many thanks.

[Guest]

Hi Graham i love the idea here this is a topic thati suggested as a group build but did not turn out to be a popular with the voters but i will be keen to see how your idea takes shape and comes together good luck with the research.

scott

[Guest]

Well, my two pressies have arrived today and what stonkers they are and join my AAFV Club Centurion Sho't

The Merkava IV

and the M51 Super Sherman

So, I have the beginnings of my IDF 'Timeline'. The M51 is early 60's up to and including the Six Day War after which the Centurions moved up to the main battle tank with the M51s being put in reserve. However, in the Yom Kippur conflict, while the Centurions faced the Syrian threat on the Golan Heights, the M51's were still in action against the Egyptians in the south.

The Merkava takes the timeline into the 2000s so I need to do some gap filling between the 70s and the 2000s. I know there are a few more Mks of the Merkava that will take it back to the late 80s early 90s, not sure yet what went in between or if the Centurion carried on to the late 80s. Also need to look at troop carriers although I know they used M113s, the picture of the Super Sherman gives a bit of a clue as to what they had post WWII up to the Six Day War.

So the project is at the start line at least. The Merkava looks a superb kit with the heaviest PE I have ever seen. The Super Sherman is the Academy kit. As this is my first Academy, I will have to wait to see what it is like but at a quick glance, it looks OK. That gun barrel is huge!

[Gern]

Hi Graham. My net connection has been down for the last few days so I missed your return. All I can say is "Welcome back matey"

Gern

PS It's also good to see you're finally building in the 'proper' scale. :lol

[Guest]

Cheers bud. Have to do this in 35th there is no stuff in the 'proper' 48th lol

[Guest]

I am looking for a kit that seams to be none excitant anymore. Anyone have one or know of one? John, would appreciate it if you could check your suppliers please.

The kit is 1/35 Academy M163 Vulcan. Needless to say, it is for a conversion to an IDF model.

Speaking of which, hold onto your hats but I have been modelling for a couple of days. Will post some pics soon but no blog as I just wanted to build something without worrying about deadlines, pictures, review writing or even if it will be good enough. I just wanted to build it for myself. I have to say it has been a great couple of days lol