Translate

Monday, July 19, 2010

מרכבה








Here are some images of Tamiya's 1/35 scale Israeli main battle tank Merkava. From Wikipedia "

The Merkava "Chariot" is the main battle tank of the Israel Defense Forces. Since the early 1980s, four main versions have been deployed. The "Merkava" name was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.

It is optimized for crew survival and rapid repair of battle damage. Through the use of spaced-armor techniques and quick-replacement modular designs, the design team was able to incorporate composite armor, a derivative of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) and Chobham armor. Additionally, the space between the inner and outer hulls is filled with diesel—an economical storage method and a means of defeating HEAT rounds.

Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located nearer the rear than in most main battle tanks. This gives the crew additional protection against a frontal attack by putting the engine between them and the attack. This arrangement also creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased storage capacity, as well as a rear entrance to the main crew compartment allowing easy access even under enemy fire. This allows the tank to be used as a platform for medical disembarkation, a forward command and control station, and an armored personnel carrier. The rear entrance's clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel.

It was reportedly decided shortly before the beginning of the 2006 Lebanon War that the Merkava line would be discontinued within four years. However, on 7 November 2006, HaaretzIsraeli General Staff assessment had ruled of the Merkava Mark IV that "if properly deployed, the tank can provide its crew with better protection than in the past," and deferred the decision on discontinuing the line.

10 comments:

Pablo J. Álvarez said...

How I answered in my blog I like and seems real too. Photos are better each day.
Ah! more italian:
http://www.teidehobby.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

-Warren Zoell said...

Pablo I commented back on your blog. Great workmanship by the way.

Neil said...

You have done some amazing artwork in putting these together. I tried my hand at building model armor years ago while interested in tabletop war gaming. Some were built from kits; I even attempted to put a few together from scratch, so I have just enough experience to appreciate the work and skill that went into building and painting these excellent re-creations. You have here an awesome photo archive of your work along with some very interesting historical details, this is definitely a site to re-visit frequently. Thanks!

-Warren Zoell said...

Why thank you Neil Its much appreciated.

Pat Tillett said...

this one is low, lean, and mean...
nice job Warren. You really are taking some great photos...

-Warren Zoell said...

Thanks Pat.

Anonymous said...

Good Merkava's job. Congratulations!

-Warren Zoell said...

Thanks sinfuselage.

Unknown said...

I think this is the best color choise I've eve seen. Can you share the components please?

-Warren Zoell said...

If I recall I think I mixed a dark yellow with a radome tan.