Israeli Military Vehicle Model Gallery

Israeli M107 155mm self propelled gun in 1/35 scale.
model by Wayne Eagles

  The following list of modifications were made to the Italeri kit, No.248 M-107 SPG to depict an Israeli M-107 seen operating in the Beka’a Valley, Lebanon, 1982.

 1)      Thin styrene tread strips added to the front upper hull areas.

 2)      Scratch built styrene stowage box to the right front area.

 3)      MG 30 pedestal mounting from styrene tubing, Academy mounting bracket and 30 Cal MG utilized from the spares box. Extra 30 cal ammunition boxes in crew compartment, next to fire extinguisher system.

4)      ‘David’ computer system, scratch built from styrene, spares box radios, copper wiring. The computer pedestal is scratch built from cutting and altering a 1/48 ejection seats side panels until the right angle and stance of the computer was attained. I only had two photos depicting this system (both showing different set ups and searching the Internet gained no results) the computers and radios are from the spares box to the closest approximation I could find along with the wiring set up. It took about a week to get this small area looking right.

5)      The crews gun rack was moved forward to accommodate the fire system. An Academy Galil firearm was added to the rack.

6)      Scratch built brackets added to both the Gun trunnions to allow radios from the spares box to be added along with their wiring. The velocity counter bracket was added also.

7)      Academy Israeli Jerry Cans and holders added.

8)      Scratch built aerial brackets to trunnions along with Academy aerial mountings. Guitar wire used for aerial wiring.

9)      Academy tools substituted for Italeri items in the rear tool rack.

10)  Chain added to the right rear seat. Verlinden Ration boxes underneath seating.

11)  Copper wire substituted for all the Italeri Headlight guards, handles and rear crew compartment step mountings.

12)  Using the hot knife method, I added weld beading to the hull sides, rear crew platform area, underneath the sponsons and rear bulkhead.

13)  The road wheel rubber sections and track rubber pads were given a simulated damaged look by a Dremel tool.

14)  Resin bedding and packs were added to the front stowage bin and rear crew platform area.

15)  A combination of Verlinden IDF dry transfers (hull) and hand painting the Battalion and company markings on the gun barrel and gun rack added.

16)  The initial colour was Testors Israeli Sand/Grey from the bottle and then a lightened version of this colour was over sprayed on the upper areas and wheels, anywhere that the elements could affect. The Tracks were first sprayed with a weak solution of Humbrol Dark Earth enamel, then the metal areas were given a light weathering solution of Testors Burnt Sienna, wear simulated by Rub’n’Buff and the rubber track pads a Dark Grey colouring.

17)  Pastels were used for weathering the whole project from dust to oil/grease and then over sprayed with Dullcote mixed with Testors Sand Enamel to simulate dust etc. Ground Charcoal and Pastels were mixed to simulate burnt powder residue around the muzzle.

Rub’n’Buff silver was added to high wear areas and the model was given another treatment of pastels, this time really scrubbed in with a flat brush.