Dragon 1/35 Magach 3 with ERA

[DC87]

My entry is Dragons Magach 3 with explosive reactive armour (ERA) as used by the IDF.

The Magach 3 was Israels customisation of the American M48 tank, the 3 variant mounted a British 105 mm gun as used on the Chieftain MBT. They also received a low Profile commanders capola and an upgraded engine. In later service the ERA armour was added to handle soviet designed anti tank missiles.

The kit from Dragon uses the Vietnam M48 as the basis with new spruces for the IDF modifications and armour which looks nicely represented.

I am hoping to add the Nori Dachi mine roller to this tank. This version is I believe designed for the Merkava so I will represent a training or development vehicle. The references I can find show the Magach 3 fitted with the earlier mk1 mine roller so hopefully this Dio isn't too much of a fictitious stretch.

2017-07-11_09-13-01 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-11_09-20-36 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-34-26 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-34-59 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-35-13 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-35-34 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-35-45 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-35-57 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-15_10-36-14 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

Built up most of the suspension and hull and test fitted the turret, very nice so far.

2017-07-15_10-36-28 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

Ps sorry if you have to click on links - using mobile Flickr and the copy URL doesn't seem to put the image in post.

[Hackovsky]

Nice setting there. And it seems, you will not have the fitting issue as with the Academy Looking forward to see the progress.

[DC87]

Magach is nearly all built with the roller on the way. I had intended to document the build but it's gone together so well that I was into the next step before picking up the camera. Bit of filler on the rear hull but otherwise a superb kit to build.

Fenders dry fitted for now to paint tracks.

2017-07-22_11-11-18 by [url=https://

2017-07-22_11-12-05 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

[papatika]

The figure is my favorite!

Great progress!

Attila

[demarcation]

Looks awesome!

[DC87]

The figure is my favorite!

Great progress!

Attila

Looks awesome!

Thanks, I'm really liking the figures.

Nearly ready for priming now, just got to decide if it's better to position the roller arms now and build up terrain or paint and do that latter

2017-07-23_08-53-46 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

[Hackovsky]

Nice! Great progress. What paint for the IDF are you going to use?

[DC87]

Nice! Great progress. What paint for the IDF are you going to use?

Cheers, Ammo Migs IDF set - trying out modulating from green to light sand

Mr Hobby spray can is my primer of choice with Tamiya rattle used to lay down a smooth coat. Migs IDF colours were then sprayed in thin layers to modulate the hull.

2017-07-30_10-28-16 by


Next up the tracks - Vallejo wash applied thickly gives a good black base with citadel brown picking out details. Various Mig weathering products were mixed and applied with brush as well as airbrush splatter.


[url=https://flic.kr/p/X1wP2N]2017-07-30_10-29-21 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

Now to touch up the hull with highlights and start the turret.


2017-07-30_11-48-54 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

2017-07-30_11-49-18 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

[DC87]

Track weathering fixed with Ammo pigment fixer and sealed with Citadel Lahmian Medium sprayed, some Citadel Texture paint was added to give some variation.

Turret ready for decals and wash.

2017-07-31_11-44-05 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

[pourquoi61]

This looks like a popular build, good luck.

[DC87]

This looks like a popular build, good luck.

Thank you, it's going very well so far.

Mine roller properly attached and painted ready for weathering.
2017-08-09_10-20-42 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr

14/08 - nearly there now, just need to add optics and paint the Figs.

2017-08-14_11-36-34 by Daniel Chapple, on Flickr