GHQ 1/285/6mm Scale Micro Armour Israeli Merkava Mk. IV Build review
SKU: IS11
MSRP: $13.99
Quantity: 5 models per pack
John Kelley
I purchased my sample through the GHQ website and I received my order in 5 days.
MSRP: $13.99
Quantity: 5 models per pack
John Kelley
I purchased my sample through the GHQ website and I received my order in 5 days.
HISTORY:
The Merkava Mk. IV entered service in 2004 and is the second of the Merkava line to carry a 120 mm main gun, 2-3 FN MAG 58 machine guns, an internally mounted 60 mm Soltam mortar and 12 smoke dischargers.
The modular armor is from the Merkava III Mk. 3D and is used on all sides including the top with a V shaped belly armor and ball and chains on the turret rear. The first use of the Merkava was in the 2006 Lebanon-Gaza War.
The Merkava Mk. IV entered service in 2004 and is the second of the Merkava line to carry a 120 mm main gun, 2-3 FN MAG 58 machine guns, an internally mounted 60 mm Soltam mortar and 12 smoke dischargers.
The modular armor is from the Merkava III Mk. 3D and is used on all sides including the top with a V shaped belly armor and ball and chains on the turret rear. The first use of the Merkava was in the 2006 Lebanon-Gaza War.
THE MODEL:
The GHQ model comes in a pack with 5 complete tanks in 10 parts, 5 hulls and 5 turrets.
The detail is truly impressive such as bolts on the armored skirts, panel lines sights, main gun shroud and a well detailed turret and hull. The Trophy Active Protection System is not molded on this model however, GHQ announced that they will release a Merkava Mk. IV Windbreaker in 2023-2024 which will likely have the Trophy APS on it.
The GHQ model comes in a pack with 5 complete tanks in 10 parts, 5 hulls and 5 turrets.
The detail is truly impressive such as bolts on the armored skirts, panel lines sights, main gun shroud and a well detailed turret and hull. The Trophy Active Protection System is not molded on this model however, GHQ announced that they will release a Merkava Mk. IV Windbreaker in 2023-2024 which will likely have the Trophy APS on it.
BUILDING AND PAINTING:
As I said there are only 2 parts and the models only required a little cleanup.
There was flash between the hull bow attachment points but this was easily removed with an X-Acto knife and file. One of the holes for the turret peg was closed up but using a hand drill opened it up quickly.
The models were amazingly clean except for these 2 issues.
Next I washed off the models using soap and water and scrubbed them with a toothbrush to remove any mold release. After drying overnight they were primed with Mr. Surfacer 1000 Light Grey Primer.
As I said there are only 2 parts and the models only required a little cleanup.
There was flash between the hull bow attachment points but this was easily removed with an X-Acto knife and file. One of the holes for the turret peg was closed up but using a hand drill opened it up quickly.
The models were amazingly clean except for these 2 issues.
Next I washed off the models using soap and water and scrubbed them with a toothbrush to remove any mold release. After drying overnight they were primed with Mr. Surfacer 1000 Light Grey Primer.
Next was the fun part-what color are the Israeli tanks painted?
This is certainly a confusing topic but a lot of research into the subject showed me that the Israeli Defense Force vehicles have a muddy brown color to them that seems to work well in the varied terrain of Israel.
Some of the websites I visited had many thoughts on the colors and formulas but quit a few of the mixes were based on the gray color scheme used in 1982.
I learned through all of this that a good match to the current color scheme is Vallejo Model Air 71.023 Tan Green and can be found in their IDF Colors Set Ref. 71.210. There are colors for tanks and APC s’ from 1967 to the current color scheme and the set contains 5 colors and a satin finish.
This is certainly a confusing topic but a lot of research into the subject showed me that the Israeli Defense Force vehicles have a muddy brown color to them that seems to work well in the varied terrain of Israel.
Some of the websites I visited had many thoughts on the colors and formulas but quit a few of the mixes were based on the gray color scheme used in 1982.
I learned through all of this that a good match to the current color scheme is Vallejo Model Air 71.023 Tan Green and can be found in their IDF Colors Set Ref. 71.210. There are colors for tanks and APC s’ from 1967 to the current color scheme and the set contains 5 colors and a satin finish.
When I tested the Tan Green on the underside of a model it seemed too yellow compared to photos I have seen of IDF vehicles.
I then mixed 1 drop of the 71.023 Tan Green and 2 drops of the 70.614 IDF Israeli Sand Grey 61-73 together and this gave me the muddy brown color I have seen on IDF vehicles over the last few years.
For a lighter shade a 1:1 mix of both colors will work as well.
I then mixed 1 drop of the 71.023 Tan Green and 2 drops of the 70.614 IDF Israeli Sand Grey 61-73 together and this gave me the muddy brown color I have seen on IDF vehicles over the last few years.
For a lighter shade a 1:1 mix of both colors will work as well.
For me this color mix works quite well and I highly recommend the Vallejo IDF Colors Set even if you do not choose to mix the colors like I did. I brush painted the models and it took only 2 coats of the base color to cover each model because these paints are thinned for airbrushing.
Since I thin my paints anyway this just cuts out a step and makes for a more consistent finish.
The tracks, road wheels, smoke mortar tops and lenses were painted Black Grey 70.862. The next models I paint I will use a flat black primer instead of gray as this will only mean adding the main color to the wheel centers and since these models are so small painting the road wheels is not that easy.
Next a wash of the Army painter Strong Tone was added to the details and the base color was dry brushed over the models.
A heavy dry brushing of Dark Sand 70.847 was applied to the lower parts of the hull to simulate dust.
The model was given a coat of Tamiya TS-79 Semi Gloss and decals from GHQ were added.
I only used the chevrons and applied them with Micro Set and finally a coat of Micro Sol so they would conform to the bolts on the side skirt armor. The decals were a pleasure to use and they look very good with the setting solutions working well on them.
A final spray of Testors Flat Coat sealed everything up. While the photo looks like more of a sand color it is a muddy brown.
Since I thin my paints anyway this just cuts out a step and makes for a more consistent finish.
The tracks, road wheels, smoke mortar tops and lenses were painted Black Grey 70.862. The next models I paint I will use a flat black primer instead of gray as this will only mean adding the main color to the wheel centers and since these models are so small painting the road wheels is not that easy.
Next a wash of the Army painter Strong Tone was added to the details and the base color was dry brushed over the models.
A heavy dry brushing of Dark Sand 70.847 was applied to the lower parts of the hull to simulate dust.
The model was given a coat of Tamiya TS-79 Semi Gloss and decals from GHQ were added.
I only used the chevrons and applied them with Micro Set and finally a coat of Micro Sol so they would conform to the bolts on the side skirt armor. The decals were a pleasure to use and they look very good with the setting solutions working well on them.
A final spray of Testors Flat Coat sealed everything up. While the photo looks like more of a sand color it is a muddy brown.
CONCLUSIONS:
I had a great time researching color schemes, mixing paints and just concentrating on painting, weathering and applying decals.
I am not a wargamer but I do enjoy building and painting the models.
The Vallejo paints were easy to use and there are no brush marks on the models.
The GHQ model is a very detailed and accurate replica of the Merkava Mk. IV and makes for a great wargame piece.
But dioramas can be made using these models and I had read an article several years ago about making a diorama for 1/285 scale models in Fine Scale Modeler and there are dioramas of 1/285th scale models in dioramas on the internet.
They are also a great way to try paint schemes and weathering techniques on.
In my case I just wanted a Merkava Mk. IV that I could paint without a lot of assembly and the GHQ model worked out great. Now which one will I paint next, the Namer or the Eitan APC.
Highly recommended.
I had a great time researching color schemes, mixing paints and just concentrating on painting, weathering and applying decals.
I am not a wargamer but I do enjoy building and painting the models.
The Vallejo paints were easy to use and there are no brush marks on the models.
The GHQ model is a very detailed and accurate replica of the Merkava Mk. IV and makes for a great wargame piece.
But dioramas can be made using these models and I had read an article several years ago about making a diorama for 1/285 scale models in Fine Scale Modeler and there are dioramas of 1/285th scale models in dioramas on the internet.
They are also a great way to try paint schemes and weathering techniques on.
In my case I just wanted a Merkava Mk. IV that I could paint without a lot of assembly and the GHQ model worked out great. Now which one will I paint next, the Namer or the Eitan APC.
Highly recommended.
Resources
GHQ
GHQ
Vallejo IDF Colors 71.210
This set can be purchased through your local hobby shop or online retailers. I purchased my set online.