MA Publications Bookstore IDF Armour Modelling Back Issue

Modelling IDF Armour
Fighting Vehicles of the Israeli Army in Colour and Scale
By Andy Evans

Today the Merkava or ‘Chariot’ - a tank that evolved from Israel’s unique operational requirements - exemplifies the power of the Israeli Armoured Corps. However, it evolved from very humble beginnings, indeed in 1948, with the creation of the state of Israel and the first Arab-Israeli conflicts the Israelis had to make-do with armoured trucks and a few second-hand British tanks. This was soon to change as military necessity ensured that the Israelis became the masters of invention. What makes the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) particularly fascinating is that few armies have gained combat experience with such a variety of armour. Over the years the IDF has deployed the American M4 Sherman, M48 and M60 Patton, the British Centurion, the French AMX-13 and the Soviet T-54 and T-62; plus a plethora of modified hybrids such as the ‘Super Sherman/Isherman’, ‘Sho’t’, ‘Magach’, and ‘Sabra’ as well as the homegrown ‘Merkava’, not to mention the unique Nagmachon, Machbet, and Nagmash! Today the IDF has one of the largest and best equipped armoured forces in the world. This provides very fertile ground for the enthusiast and modeller thus was the inspiration behind this ‘SMMI Special’. Inside you will find some 22 build projects from the very earliest to the very latest IDF tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, using some classic kits, upgrade sets and the newest models such as from Takom, Dragon and HobbyBoss. Builds include: Merkava IV, Isherman, Magach 5 and 6, Tiran 5, Nagmachon, Nagmash, Achzarit, Doher, Machbet, M113 Zelda and many more!