Merkava MkIV

[Guest]

Hello Mick,
I see your dilemma, I've had a look through all of the Merkava IV book and it appears that the only time these doors are open is when the main gun is in use/ serviceing/ bore scoping. Out of the whole book I came across 5 pics of the sight doors open, and they were distant and obscured by the MG.
But this might help if you are going to do the doors closed.
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[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]FOR DISCUSSION ONLY.[/COLOR]

Cheers, Mike.

[Mickc1440]

Many thanks Mike, I think it’s the way forward. I found this
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For discussion only.
Definitely no grill in there, so closed it will be.

[Guest]

Many thanks Mike, I think it’s the way forward. I found this
[ATTACH]326050[/ATTACH]
For discussion only.
Definitely no grill in there, so closed it will be.

Mick,
Agreed,
Mike.

[Guest]

Mick.
Pity after that work, but finding out does stop the nagging . I'm sure it will look OK with the doors closed, and at least you know .
John.

[Steve Jones]

I have the solution to the grill issue Mick. The Israelis were using the Merkava more and more in urban warfare. They were concerned about the most sensitive areas of the tank, its optics, exhaust ports and ventilators. So they protected them with a newly developed high-strength metal mesh, which prevents damage from a direct impact from RPG's and most ATGW's. Here are a couple of pictures.

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Your doing a great job and we are all with you on this one. Tally Ho!!

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[Mickc1440]

Thanks JR. Great pics Steve, work has stopped for another couple of days thanks to work but at least I know I could go either way with this one.

[Mickc1440]

Got a little more done today just needs tidying up. Sorted out the doors and some framing along with hinge rods and other tiny add ons.
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[Guest]

Anglers small lead shot works for the ball and chain aided by a bit of super glue.

[Si Benson]

Cracking job sorting that optic thingy....looks a thousand times better with your tiny additions:thumb2:

[Guest]

Mick.
That's some great detail shown on that last photo, certainly get your moneys worth .Saves doing all those rivets ! if they are such things on modern armour.:smiling3:
John .

[scottie3158]

Mick,
Some lovely detail on the sight cover.

[Guest]

Mick
Looks a lot better with the added scratch detail.
Mike.

[Mickc1440]

Due to work commitments modelling time has once again been drastically reduced. I've been concentrating on getting the turret finished with a myriad of additional parts. One of the main parts to tackle was the .50 cal that sits above the main gun. I ordered some IDF replacements but when I finally got round to looking at them the castings are awful and couldn't make one decent one out of the two supplied. Fortunately I hadn't done anything with the kit parts so I set about using them, some PE and some small scratch parts and it's starting to look ok.


A bit more work and some paint and it should look ok?
The other job I was dreading was the chains for the ball and chain armour around the rear of the turret. I will never never ever again complain about tank wheels. Most are made up of three parts some just two. I'm just waiting for the beads I've got on order to arrive as the first ones sent were the wrong size.

The numbers refer to where they go on their respective brackets. That's all for now folks as its work time again.

[Guest]

Hello Mick,
Doing well I see, all balls and 50 cal, some nice juggling with all the parts for the 50, remember that when it is in place it follows the main armament.
Cheers, Mike.

[scottie3158]

Mick,
Nice work on the 50, rather you than me with the chains, but you seem to be on top of it.