Uncarina Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I just finished the Meng 1/35 Merkava Mk.4M, one of those kits that I just had to build. One of the things that challenged me with modelling the Merkava has been the ball and chain curtain under the turret and bustle. Not a challenge with this kit, since Meng did a great job reproducing it. Another has been the prominent anti-slip texture. While Meng reproduced this as well, it is too subtle, so I had to add my own. There are several ways of doing this--stippled Mr Surfacer, hamster sand over glue, baking soda over glue, etc, but I found a great way: 1. I spray Tamiya AS-12 as a primer, something for the anti-slip adhesive to grab; 2. I paint Vallejo Surface Primer as the adhesive to a section at a time; 3. I sprinkle aluminum oxide over the wet primer, then blow away the excess; 4. I seal with another coat of AS-12. I am very pleased with the results--easy, fast, controllable, and strong. After this assembly was easy. I just used aftermarket pre-assembled metal tracks purchased from a Chinese vendor on E-Bay (they fit perfectly), and the Meng aftermarket cargo covers. Painted with Tamiya paints, weathered with AMMO washes, pastels, and oils. Hope you like it. Cheers, Tom Martinnfb, ShelbyGT500, Alain Gadbois and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 LSP_Kevin, Gazzas, Martinnfb and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Great build Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monthebiff Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Very nice build Tom, really love Isreali armour and parti5the Merkava Regards. Andy Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Fantastic looking build, Tom! Quite an exceptional looking model. Gaz Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javlin1 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 That is Very Nice Tom! Looks like the real thing to me and it's not in a Dio! Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircommando130 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Oh wow! That looks awesome! IDF armor is so cool and you definitely nailed it. The anti skid solution is very cool as well! Cheers...Ron Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 Thanks for the kind comments! It was my first armor build in a long time, and my favorite parts were adding the anti-slip (much easier and more controllable than I expected) and the finish/weathering. I really recommend this kit. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 I'm not an armour guy, but that came out great! Kev Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Wow, outstanding work! Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 Kev and Brian, Thanks! I appreciate it. One of the especially cool things about this kit is the working suspension with functional styrene springs. I’ve never seen this before but it works! Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted June 30, 2019 Author Share Posted June 30, 2019 Maru, Thank you! I appreciate your checking in. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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