Introduction
I would like to thank Creative Models for providing this sample.
The following is provided by Meng:
The Merkava Mk 4 is the latest variant of the Merkava series tanks. The biggest improvement lies in the adaptability to the low intensity conflicts. The protection of the front hull and turret top, against enemy anti-tank weapons has been greatly enhanced on the Merkava Mk 4, and the armour has been changed to modular armour. At the same time, a new fire control system, a battle management system which shares data with other units in theatre and a defence system against individual anti-tank weapons have been applied on the Merkava Mk 4.
Unlike the situation in 1970, when the initial design started, the moist important opponent of the Merkava Mk 4 has changed from enemy tanks to the elusive armed personnel, who are equipped with individual anti-tank weapons. Although the armour which has been optimised against chemical, energy anti-tank weapons can withstand most attacks, the IDF still thinks this is not enough, and they need a more active protection system. On the Merkava Mk 4M tank, they use the “Trophy” active protection system. This is a hard kill system, which uses radar to detect incoming RPG and ATGM threats and destroys the threats by launching projectiles automatically.
The IDF has another soft kill active protective system on the Merkava Mk 4 and also on tanks like the Merkava Mk3D, MerkavaMk3D and the Merkava Mk2. This “droid” soft kill active protection system is fitted on the rear turret of the Merkava Mk4. Unlike the “trophy” protective system that performs hard kills of the incoming threats, the droid system doesn’t directly destroy the threats. It can detect the ranging or guiding laser beams from an ATGM launcher and then automatically disrupt its guidance system. From the year in which its design started to 2020, the Merkava tank family has been with the IDF for fifty years. From the novelty design made under external pressure to the classic tank family now, the Merkava tanks has become a typical representative of the pragmatism of the Israeli armed forces. They have been both the sharpest spear heads of the Israeli armoured units, and the strongest fortresses on Mount Zion.
Review
The model arrives in a very large cardboard box for a 1/35th scale offering, with a card lid depicting the artwork. The contents do fill the box, and the parts are further protected by being packed in a number of plastic bags. Some information cards in a filing system are provided with the instructions. The photo etch in this particular kit was slightly damaged, and so I feel additional protection is required in this regard. I personally place the photo etch fret, inside the information cards to provided some extra protection, along with the decals. An examination of the contents reveals no issues with the mouldings, beyond expected clean up and so at this point I am happy with what I found. The paper of the instruction booklet is a little bit on the thin side, but then you only use it the once.
The road wheels of the model, have no less than seven parts for each wheel, which sounds excessive. However, it does provide the modeller with a high degree of detail, which can only really be achieved with multiple mouldings. I will point out that poly caps have been provided and so I do not know if tolerances are exact due to the need to accommodate the cap. The drive wheel is a simple two parts moulding, again with a poly cap. The idler wheels are slide moulded and so provide a high level of detail and accuracy, without the modeller needing to bring together fifty different parts - these have again been designed to accommodate a poly cap, and so road, drive and idler wheels have all been designed to rotate after addition to the model. Although that is not the case with the return wheels.
The tracks of the model are workable, individual track links which has a top and bottom track link portion which needs to be glued together with care to remain workable. The poly caps in the wheels are a big help in this regard, as it means the tracks can be completely assembled and by placing the idler and drive wheel into the tracks and then offering it up to the model, means you are not likely to damage the tracks of the model.
The lower hull of the model has a separate floor and sides, and bin areas at the rear. Which means care will need to be taken during construction to ensure that the parts are all correctly orientated. The suspension on the model, is workable due to compressible springs being moulded, however, my gut instinct says to place them in the position required and then cement them in place. I will say that I like this approach, as it makes displaying the model on a terrain of your choice with all wheels touching the ground and correctly orientated for the surface they are on.
The storage boxes on the rear of the tank have been well designed with a nice level of detail. However, they could be improved with photo etch parts to show stowage of the modellers choice in place. The belly armour of the model would appear to be accurate in shape and form, and has been applied to the kit correctly.
The upper hull of the model has good moulded detail on it. I like how the exhaust has been tackled, and that no excessive photo etch has been used. I am pleased to find that periscope lenses have been provided in clear plastic, and that the drivers hatch has been provided separately. The gun travel clamp, I would like to have seen tackled slightly differently, to enable a locked down gun to be depicted. The Israelis are a little unusual in their tank design, due to having their engine in the front of the vehicle, however Meng appears to have captured all of the relevant details, including grille covers without excessive use of photoetch. The fire extinguishers are well detailed, as I was pleased to find decals provided for them, which does add a nice touch. The track guard mounting system, has been tackled in a way that keeps the part count down and so easier for the modeller to utilise. I do know there is a large amount of after market sets aimed at the Merkava family, and these could of course be used if preferred. The tow chain included in the model, is a nice touch being actual chain. However, the cable provided for the tow cable, I believe needs to be changed for something more realistic.
The turret of the model, follows the usual practice of a top and bottom. The gun itself is fixed, which will not bother most modellers. I was not happy to find the barrel moulded in two halves, as due to the amount of detail on it. It will be difficult to clean. The smoke grenade launchers are individual parts, and again the periscopes are in clear plastic. This model has a single hatch in the turret, which I previously been told in incorrect; however, I believe that Michael Mass was involved with this model production and so I do believe a single turret hatch is accurate. The hatch can be open or closed, but you will of course need to fill the void if you have it open. The turret basket is a good combination of plastic and photo etch, and I like how the ball and chain turret armour has been tackled in plastic. The turret mounted machine guns have been nicely tackled, and I was pleased to see slide moulding of the barrels utilised. Lastly on the turret, I was pleased to see how the droid has been tackled by Meng, but again if you are looking for superior detail resin parts are also available.
The Nochri-Kal mine clearance system is a track width mine clearance device, with five fingers protecting each track width on the end of which are toothed wheels, which I believe would detonate mines via pressure. But if you can find an image of one in place, you are a better person than me. I cannot find any information or images, and so the details I have provided are from visual observations of the model only.
Finishing Options:
Meng has provided two finishing options for the model, however I am sure a little searching on line will enable you to find alternatives. The options provided are:
Tank 17, Gimel(17C,3rd “eshet” (steel) Battalion 401st Brigade, IDF, Golan Heights, June 2009
Tank 1 Bet (1B, 1stPlatoon, 2nd Company, 1st “Shelqh” (sword) Battalion, 401stBrigade IDF, Judea Dessert, 2011
A nice inclusion in the finishing options from Meng, is a detailed painting guide to the droid and Nochri-Kal system.
Conclusion
This offering from Meng models, has a lot to offer the modeller, both in terms of detail and moulding quality. The approach to the moulding taken by Meng, has made the detail sharp, with my complaints limited to the barrel being moulded in two halves, which I consider poor, by current standards as clean up will be difficult at best, and a nightmare at worst, and the cable that is provided is weak in my opinion. The pluses are many from very well replicated canvas aspects, working suspension, individual track links, the ball and chain turret armour, and the most finely replicated anti slip texture I can recall seeing.