1/35 Meng Merkava Mk.4M (with roof slats)

[BarleyBop]

M5 Stuart

Ha, one o'dem in the stashio.

 

[Jakko]

I think so? I've seen many pictures where the troops had them bent over and sorta tied together. I confess I do not understand the details of that .

If they're bent and tied down, they're certainly antennas. It's so they won't get damaged by hitting tree branches, bridges, street signs and other overhead clutter.

Also, modern vehicles often carry more antennas than are actually hooked up to the radio. The reason is that command vehicles (like the platoon commander's) have more radios, and therefore need more antennas, than other vehicles. To prevent an enemy from identifying command vehicles just by counting antennas, it's common practice in some armies to put the same number of antennas on all vehicles in the unit.

small compared to many modern MBTs

Not really, a Merkava is big even by modern MBT standards. This because Israel has the advantages of not needing to ship them anywhere in the world and having a country with relatively wide-open terrain. A Merkava would be at a distinct disadvantage compared to a Leopard 2 or M1 Abrams in, say, central Europe with its forests and narrow village (and city) streets.

 

[Bob T]

Very, very nice.
I've never built any modern armor, but I think that will change.

 

[Tommergun]

Excellent build, well done.

 

[athabascamaverick]

Beautiful job - great work