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| The Merkava (Hebrew for
"Chariot") is the indigenous Israeli main battle tank. Designed with the
lessons of the 1973 Yom Kippur war in mind it combines the highest degree
of survivability with massive firepower. The Merkava is one
of the the best protected tanks in service today. |
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| The Merkava's engine is placed in the vehicle's front so it can serve as
part of the armor suite and
provide the crew with maximum protection.
This configuration also creates space in the vehicle's rear, which can be
used to store up to 85 additional rounds of ammo or carry six equipped infantry. The crew
can also enter, exit and resupply through a door in the rear hull. |
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| The
Merkava Mk.2 maintains the same U.S. designed 105mm main gun as the earlier
Mk.1s although with improved fire control and better armor protection.
Merkava Mk.1s took part in the Lebanon war (1982) and proved superior
to the Syrian T-72 MBT (then the Soviet's newest tank). |
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| The Merkava also carries a 60mm mortar that can be mounted on the roof
of the turret for infantry support. |
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| The
Merkava relies on its heavily protected crew compartment, fire detection and suppression system, rear crew escape door, and computerized fire control
system for survivability. However all of these features and armor protection come at a price, the Merkava is one of the heaviest main battle tanks of it's time with a top speed of only 28.5 mph. |
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| ESCI/ERTL
did a nice job on this kit. It's a quick easy build even for beginners and accurate enough to satisfy most experienced builders. |
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Kit: ESCI/ERTL # 8338 |
Scale: 1/72 |
| Value: I paid
$4.99 (US)
in 1996 for this kit. An excellent value. The kit has been out of production
for many years but still can be found for around $10.00 now. |
| Comments: This
kit is a fairly simple build with no major fit problems.
No flash to speak of. Details are crisply molded and look nice. Tracks
are molded in separate links. Commander and loader's machine guns are
over simplified and need some custom details added, however the .50 cal
gun is very nicely done. Roadwheels are molded as one solid wheel instead
of separate inner outer wheels. Commander's hatch is a separate part and
can be attached in the open position. Mortar and roof mounts are present
in the kit and although instructions make no mention of it, could be modeled
in the firing position. |
| Decals: I hand-cut
my own stylized Hebrew markings out of a white decal sheet. |
| Customizations: Almost
none. |
