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bookMerkava SIMAN 3
Merkava Mk 3 in IDF Service Part 1
IDF Armor Series No.2
by Michael Mass
Desert Eagle Publishing
in cooperation with
Legend Productions
ISBN 0-9788844-2-6

78 pages soft cover

Review by Terry Ashley


This second book in the IDF Armor series from Desert Eagle Publishing in cooperation with Legend Productions deals with the Merkava Mk.3 (Siman 3) in IDF service and follows the same format as the first volume.

The soft cover book has 78 pages entirely in colour with English text much in the same size and format as the Concord book series with the text is kept to a minimum with an eight page introduction and the remaining text being for the photo captions which are quite comprehensive for the in-action and detailed walk-around photos.

The books begins with an eight page introduction that has a brief description of the Merkava prototypes though the Merkava 1, 2 and 3 as well as mentioning the Merkava 4 and specialist vehicles built on the Merkava chassis.

The next section on pages 9-21 features the Merkava 3 in action with all pages having just two photos per page with semi-close up shots mostly of the Merkava 3 BAZ on manoeuvres in desert settings. There are several shots with the KMT 4 mine roller system with the photos providing excellent overall coverage of the vehicles and markings.

This is followed by pages 22-35 sub-titled “The Man and the Machine” and concentrates on the crews and their uniforms with some good close-up shots of the tanks and crews in their hatches and performing the many tasks needed to keep the tanks running including a sequence replacing the track. As well as the crews there are excellent secondary details showing engine maintenance with the entire engine deck removed as well as shots of ammo re-loading with good shots of the various rounds used by the Merkava 3.

The next pages 36-66 has a series of close-up walk around photos of the Merkava 3 again concentrating on the BAZ with some earlier version also shown. There are excellent shots of the turret exterior showing good shots of the crew hatches as well as the armoured housing for the main sight and the laser warning sensors around the turret plus the additional armour suite fitted to the BAZ. The main 120mm gun and mantlet is shown from various angles as well as the gun on a stand outside of the turret taken at a trade show. There are also shots taken through the driver's hatch showing the cramped driver's station plus some shots through the open rear hull entry door.

The suspension is show in good detail with a series of shots taken with the side armour skirts removed as well as exploded view drawings of the drive sprockets and suspension layout plus shots of the side armour mountings. This is followed by two pages of interior shots showing the Commander's, Gunner's, Loader's and Driver's positions showing some interesting details not often seen. Finally there are shots of the MAG 7.62mm mounting on the Loader's hatch with line drawings to compliment the photos.

The next two pages has close-up shots of the power pack taken outside the vehicle during an engine change with more interesting shots for anyone wanting the scratch build a power pack for the Merkava.

The following three pages is devoted to the tactical markings carried including the various styles of ‘Tsadi’ numbers (licence plate numbers) and dimensions of the main tactical signs plus the barrel battalion markings.

Pages 72-78 are devoted to modelling the Merkava 3 BAZ and concentrates on the assembly of the Legends full resin kit of the BAZ (reviewed here) with images of the assembled kit with the resin and etched parts added plus a step through of the painting and weathering process.

Conclusion:
This is another excellent reference for anyone modelling the Merkava 3 BAZ along with earlier versions of the Merkava 3 with detailed walkarounds along with shots of the tanks in the field giving good views of the storage and weathering plus the crew uniforms.

The extensive walk-around pics will be more than useful for those building the Legends BAZ kit or for correcting and detailing the Academy Merkava 3 kits.

As with the first book this volume will be very popular for those interested in IDF armour and Modern armour in general.

Highly recommended 8/10.

Sample pages
bookbook
bookbook
Thanks to Legends Productions for the review book.



Page created August 6, 2007