merkava

The Merkava Project

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The Merkava project is one of the models I have built while in Korea. Perhaps one of my most creative abilties overall. I have learned so much about weathering, airbrushing, diorama construction and overall construction technique - and all of those qualities are present in this diorama.

The Project mainly features the Merkava Mk III MBT, which is was the current Israili Main Battle Tank - until the Mk IV, which came out last year. In real life the Merkava is the most protected and survivable MBT in the world, and the Mk III is the first version capable of high speeds like the American Abrams or the British Challenger. The Merkava proves that Israel is one of the worlds top tank builders.

The Merkava Mk III model comes off the base (diorama) and is the featured piece, while the accompanying diorama is really just a carrier for the tank its self. The diorama dipicts a Palistinian or Egyptian road block position that has been breached. Israeli Defense Forces infantry hold the position as it is re-inforced by an armored element.

I will include the link to the full size photos - to allow for the viewing of detail at a close level, as well as eventually posting smaller zooms of specific detail. This diorama goes down in detail to the ejected brass from the small arms. The weathering on the tank is a personal system of dual-weathering, combineing two common methods in a new way. Look for the white weathering of the edge details, and the lighter sand colored paint chips in wear areas. The white weathering is extended to the BII, to bring them in. In the back air intake cages extra supplies were stationed, includeing a custom built box (a photo of this effect is currently not available). Other fine detail areas include the CVC cords on the un-buttoned crew members, the ammo box on the front mounted M2 MG (on the main gun), the sniper's rifle, and the two infantrymen.

This diorama will compete in the 8th US Army Craft Competition, in May, appearing first at the Camp Stanley Craft Competition, to determine if it will win one of the Camp Stanley nominations to the 8th Army competition (if not it will be entered w/o sponsorship).

Click the picture to see the high-res image, which you can save and look at up close with windows picture viewer. It will take you to a new page, just hit back to get back to this page

Backside Profile - this is a good view of the machine gunner, the light pole, and it gives another profile of the tanks features.
A bigger and staged shot will be provided of this same angle later this week.

Primary Profile - this is a great view of the tank's profile. A clearer version will be available later this week.

Above - this is the best view for weather effects on the tank, enjoy the weathered main gun - instead of decal lines, I hand painted mine, then weathered them accordingly. Look at the area around the abandoned M-60 MG for an example of the ejected brass, also features great views of the infantrymen and their weapons.

This is the only available high-res high-clarity shot available - more will be made available next week.

It came down to this diorama and SSG Juntti's M-60 Tank diorama for a demonstration piece for MWR's BOSS program - which will be featured on exibit in Washington DC this spring - however due to completion times and the inability to use them in a competition (8th Army) - SSG Juntti's M-60 Tank diorama will be featured by BOSS. (However my M-60 Tank diorama was featured in the MWR Magazine and is on the Cp Stanley Craft Competition banner that all of Cp Stanley walks by to go to the ville)

Both models however are seen as Museam Quality pieces, and the levels of detail have been rated higher than 2ID's Iraq Exibit's "2ID On Patrol in Iraq" piece, which is one of the largest attractions.

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