Academy 1/35 Merkava MK.IV LIC - Inbox review

Kit #13227
Anti RPG chains (dingle balls)
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The Merkava "chariot" is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. The tank began development in 1973 and entered official service in 1979. Four main versions of the tank have been deployed. It was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. The name "Merkava" was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.
The Mark IV is the most recent upgrade of the Merkava tank and is a 4th generation main battle tank that has been in development since 1999. The upgrade's development was announced in an October 1999 edition of the Bamachaneh ("At the Camp") military publication. However, the Merkava Mark III remained in production until 2003. The first Merkava IVs were in production in limited numbers by the end of 2004.
The model has a new fire-control system, the El-Op Knight Mark 4. Removable modular armor, from the Merkava Mark IIID, is used on all sides, including the top and a V-shaped belly armor pack for the underside. This modular system is designed to allow for damaged tanks to be rapidly repaired and returned to the field.
Tank rounds are stored in individual fire-proof canisters, which reduce the chance of cookoffs in a fire inside the tank. The turret is "dry": no active rounds are stored in it.
Some features, such as hull shaping, exterior non-reflective paints, and shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with air particles to confuse enemy thermal imagers, were carried over from the IAI Lavi program of the Israeli Air Force to make the tank harder to spot by heat sensors and radar.
The Mark IV includes the larger 120 mm main gun of the previous versions, but can fire a wider variety of ammunition, including HEAT and sabot rounds like the APFSDS kinetic energy penetrator, using an electrical semi-automatic revolving magazine for 10 rounds. It also includes a much larger 12.7 mm machine gun for anti-vehicle operations (most commonly used against technicals).
The new fire-control system enables the Merkava to shoot down helicopters such as the Russian Mil Mi-24 and the French Gazelle, both of which are used by Israel's neighbours.
The Mark IV has the Israeli-designed "TSAWS (Tracks, Springs, and Wheels System)" caterpillar track system, called "Mazkom" (Hebrew: מערכת זחלים קפיצים ומרכובים, מזקו"ם‎) by troops. This system is designed to reduce track-shedding under the harsh basalt rock conditions of Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
The tank carries the Israeli Elbit Systems BMS (Battle Management System; Hebrew: צי"ד), a centralised system that takes data from tracked units and UAVs in theater, displays it on color screens, and distributes it in encrypted form to all other units equipped with BMS in a given theater.
The Merkava IV has been designed for rapid repair and fast replacement of damaged armour, with modular armour that can be easily removed and replaced. It is also designed to be cost-effective in production and maintenance; its cost is lower than that of a number of other tanks used by Western armies.

[@Mokkori84]

Great review as always.

[@schweinhund227]

Now that's a cool kit !!!

[@lordfarnswaller]

nice video as always

[@SuperSwitched]

Added the link for the dingle balls

[@rsrdevon]

Nice review Switcher. Looks like a nice kit for the most part. I would of bought after market chain and balls as well. thats crazy to scrape the halves off the sprew and glue them on the PE. Will look more realistic with the after market also. 4 pieces for a figures head? WOW! Thats crazy! LOL.

[@SuperSwitched]

I hear you Devon. If it wasn't for the AM kits, I would have just simply ommited them if I couldn't find a solution.
That being said, if my dingle balls taht are order don't work. I will go to plan C. :)

[@SuperSwitched]

lordfarnswaller + 60sGarageLover88 Thank you my good sirs. I will always endeavour to keep my channel relevant :)

[@MarkONeill]

I have this one and it build like a dream to be honest. The anti rpg ball and chains are the only disappointment.

[@SuperSwitched]

Thanks Mark good to know good buddy. As stated I did not like the stock option, I hope the upgrade will be more suitable. If not we are going frugal good buddy :)

[@sekytwo]

How does it compare in quality to Meng's Merkava 3D ?

[@SuperSwitched]

sekytwo
Sorry, dunno as I don't own a Meng.

[@ArmourEmpire]

I haven't done the meng one either , but from what I hear and see it looks a really nice kit

[@lordfarnswaller]

nice video as always