Merkava III

Awarded: Bronze

By: Nebojsa Subotic

Manufacturer(s): Revell

Description: This is a straight out of the box model and I only did some work on the filling of turret and body baskets with styrene, aluminum foil and paper tissue. I hand painted white line on the gun barrel and ID signs. Color is MM Israeli Sand Grey, and I used standard weathering techniques. I’m planning to make little diorama border 'patrolling' scene from '90's and that's the reason for dusty finish.

Judge 1: The construction is very good and the stowage and markings have been applied well. The base colour also looks good has been applied well. The drybrushing looks a little too heavy and some localised pin washes would give better shadow to the smaller details.
Judge 2: I like the look of this tank,it's well painted with a even coat but lacks different tonings & all the details MG, jerrycan etc are well painted too also the the extra features you added the tarp & turret basket skirts and the aerial coils works well. Its more the kit than you, but the Axe & pick on the rear & barrel lock at the front look painted on & really should have been replaced compared to all the better details on the turret. The weathering or drybrushing is nicely done but gives a too even look & its heavier on the hull that the turret,there is no dusting or streaks or different tones in the recesses or scuff marks around the turret hatches. the exhaust soot looks good though the decals look well done & the hand painted markings & stripe on the barrel I like the look of this tank,it's well painted with a even coat but lacks different tonings & all the details MG, jerrycan etc are well painted too also the the extra features you added the tarp & turret basket skirts and the aerial coils works well. Its more the kit than you, but the Axe & pick on the rear & barrel lock at the front look painted on & really should have been replaced compared to all the better details on the turret. The weathering or drybrushing is nicely done but gives a too even look & its heavier on the hull that the turret,there is no dusting or streaks or different tones in the recesses or scuff marks around the turret hatches. the exhaust soot looks good though the decals look well done & the hand painted markings & stripe on the barrel
Judge 3: This is a very well made model with no visible construction faults, the stowage and identification panels you've added are also very well done. The paint work is very smooth and well applied but lacks colour variation, in particular the vents and tools blend into the surface. The dry brushing, although very well done, is a little overdone, resulting in the overall finish looking too flat, lacking contrast and subtracting from the realism, it could benefit from a darker pin wash around the smaller details. The decals are well applied and those you painted yourself are very good, the smaller details, MG's and stowage are very good and the air recognition flag is excellent. For a front line tank it lacks general wear and tear and I would suggest using some pigments to add further to the dustiness and realism.