Thanks for the advice and rundown! I hope it will help others with this issue.
I for one will eave it as is, try to fix the gap in the lower bar, but otherwise run with it.
My scratchbuilding skills are not that good and this way others will see what they’re getting into.
Finally got around to starting the Takom Merkava Mk.2B. Already put the lower hull and suspension system together.
(as posted earlier in the thread)
This is my first time tackling a Takom brand model kit, so I’m moving slow and steady on this build. I’m happy to say that the kit is coming together very nicely. Nice, crisp moldings, didn’t take me lon to get the whole lower hull together and nothing was warped or out of whack.
I’m tackling the upper hull; not going too heavy since I am considering adding the grip texture on it. Don’t want to go too deep on the kit, then have a hard time adding the grip texture.
Also, i have a set of Quicktracks coming from Poland since I am not a fan of the tracks provided with the kit.
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The Doher is officially finished. Details painted, TC station in place, MGs installed, water cans in their brackets and ranging poles painted and installed.
I’ve chronicled the various issues and shortcomings of the kit along the way so I won’t rehash them here. Some final thoughts and observations are in order nonetheless. On one level this was a somewhat satisfying build in that I was able to overcome most of the kits legion of short comings. After all is said and done it doesn’t look half bad from a foot or more away. Upon closer inspection however, the soft and molded on details are readily apparent. I suppose most of these could be rectified with a comprehensive PE set and or resin/3D printed replacements. Better in my opinion to go with the AFV offering that on its own would yield a far better finished product and a much better platform for AM detailing. I do plan on acquiring the AFV kit when I can find it at a reasonable price.
Thanks for looking.
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DV, mate you seriously did a cracking job with it. The issues were smashed out the way and it’s turned out into a lovely looking build with your usual great finish 
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Thanks John. Like I said somewhat satisfying being able to overcome the faults in the kit, but can’t say that I would recommend it.
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I like IDF equipment, but this one really trips my fancy! I likey! 
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Ya, it’s pretty f-----g cool.
The french caesar made a lot of children ! 
With the D-21a finished, i’ve started working on the power wagon.
The chassis and the tarp are ready for painting
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The vehicle I decided to build is the 1/35 Gecko Bedford MWC water tank truck, used by the Egyptians, then captured by the IDF…
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And paint I did!
Twice!!
ecause I messed up by mixing up. I ended up grabbing the wrong jars, so the M51 got the paint that was meant for the M60-turret, which got a dose of the green I used for the Australian M113.
The blue is from a 15+ year old Andrea-bottle.
So I had to redo the M51 with Vallejo 70821 German camouflage beige (found that suggestion online somewhere) and M60 in Vallejo Model Air IDF Sinai gray 82.
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SLA M50 looking sharp. I’m kind of working with my Merkava Mk.2B low-key. Still waiting for the tracks to come from Poland. They’re right now in NY, so it’ll a few more days. I seriously need to add some pics. to this thread.
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You’re a fast mover. The lower haul is already together. Looks nice. Meng makes good kits. I wonder if this kit used parts from their other 6B Gal?
Yes and no. Some of the parts are the same, but when building the lower hull and such there were some parts that were different. Can’t remember which though.
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Continued excellent work here, but it’s time for a little wingy-thingy. Some progress on the Tamiya 1/48 F-35I:
The weapons bay is really very nicely detailed! I followed the instructions on painting, but I’m afraid I don’t have as steady a hand as I’d like. Still, once the ordinance is in there, it should look the part.
Michael 
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