Hee, hee - yes I did but thought, what the hell I might as well give it a go while I await replacement supplies. Seems, this time, that out of date means out of luck! 🙄I don't suppose you've checked the expiry date?
You might need new supplies.
Hee, hee - yes I did but thought, what the hell I might as well give it a go while I await replacement supplies. Seems, this time, that out of date means out of luck! 🙄I don't suppose you've checked the expiry date?
You might need new supplies.
I'm assuming they'd have about as many Merkavas as they had Olifants IOTL, the difference is that instead of buying 200 aging Centurion Mk3s from Jordan and upgrading them to Sho't Kal standard, they cut out the middle man and buy something more capable straight from Israel as well as setting up a line of domestic production. The Merkava was after all intended to be something able to be built by a country with no prior experience manufacturing tanks and therefore be less vulnerable to sanctions.However, SA's experience in the bush (plus poor budgets and international bocoits) made them focus on light, well armed vehicles, like the Eland and the Rookait, and just upgrade some Centurions. So I doubt SA would more than just 2-3 batalions worth of Mk1, to form a heavy armour force as backup for the wheeled tank batalions.
All good points, specially the mortar and MGs; Israel did rush to put it inside. As for numbers, I guess it would depend on budget...I'm assuming they'd have about as many Merkavas as they had Olifants IOTL, the difference is that instead of buying 200 aging Centurion Mk3s from Jordan and upgrading them to Sho't Kal standard, they cut out the middle man and buy something more capable straight from Israel as well as setting up a line of domestic production. The Merkava was after all intended to be something able to be built by a country with no prior experience manufacturing tanks and therefore be less vulnerable to sanctions.
Speaking of bush fighting though, I imagine the SADF wouldn't be terribly impressed with the externally mounted and operated mortar. Either they'd rig up a bushguard over it (which might make it more awkward to operate) or maybe they'd prompt something like the Mk2 modifications early by mounting it internally, as well as adding smoke launchers. They might also possibly take off the side-skirts like they did with Olifant, and use locally-produced Browning M1919 machine guns instead of FN MAGs.
Well not an entire loss with the 8 years out of date rubber. Although looking (and feeling) more like bubblegum, the mould has produced some useable additional parts - amazing what body filler can be used for! Will produce another set of wheels from this mould and use the new rubber to cast the extra lengths of track... 👍Hee, hee - yes I did but thought, what the hell I might as well give it a go while I await replacement supplies. Seems, this time, that out of date means out of luck! 🙄
I've always liked that suspension for smaller tanks. Very simple conceptually and technically, like an inverted train bogey, but highly effective with good performance for the weight.the "big-wheel" suspension developped for the LT vz.38
I agree.I've always liked that suspension for smaller tanks. Very simple conceptually and technically, like an inverted train bogey, but highly effective with good performance for the weight.
Yeah, and something that is fascinating is that it replaces a suspension that is related to the Vickers 6-ton type E. By analogy one could imagine that big-wheel suspension on every other user of the Type E suspension, eg:I've always liked that suspension for smaller tanks. Very simple conceptually and technically, like an inverted train bogey, but highly effective with good performance for the weight.
It had the 47mm A11 gun which shared identical ballistics to the towed 47mm and was a close analogue to the 5cm L42 in performance. So yeah it would have been fine and quite progressive in 1939-40. As with most guns of the time it has the curse of using APHEC with a big cavity which nukes performance beyond 30° hit angle.I agree.
If it had a Czech 47mm gun with a reasonable HE round it would have been a good tank up to 1942 and still OK for a few years after - near enough a Panzer 3 50mm L42 equivalent, although it appears the relatively heavy AP rounds of the German 50mm may have given it an edge over the Czech 47mm
Primarily for structural integrity. When adding in a hull extension, it is critical to keep everything as square and straight as possible, so bracing is essential. The two rearmost strips are there to keep the height of the rear deck balanced. Of course, all of these added extras will be hidden inside the completed model. 👍^^^ What are the white strips for in back? Stabilizing added structure?
Will see what I can do for ya!hi, is it possible to get a Skink AA blueprint ?