Israeli Military Vehicle Review

AEF Designs Merkava IID by Stephane Herve

The Merkava 2D that appeared on TV during the IDF pull out from Lebanon is the later evolution of the Merkava Mk.2. It is a MK2B (check Verlinden book on Merkava for reference) with the armour in front of turret roof (Mk.2C modification) and new add on armour on each turret sides, armour on engine cover, add on armour in front of driver and belly armour under the hull (mine protection).  It also has  Merkava 3 sides skirts, wheels and tracks.

The AEF conversion is  well cast and fits together well.  It mates well with the Academy Merkava 2.   The conversion includes all the parts listed above (excepting the tracks and the belly armour which is sold separately) with a gun tube , 2 smoke launchers, the 2 rear hull baskets and 2 pages of incredible photos!!!!!

I just found 2 problems with this conversion, the wheels based on Academy 's are far from real Merkava 3 and 2D ones and the turret armour are too short by 1 or 2mm (this is quite evident from the AEF photos supplied). For an accurate MK2D you'll need : Academy MK2, Friul or Cromwell Mk3 tracks and new wheels (scratchbuild. it or buy the Cromwell ones).  Despite these comments I would highly recommended this conversion.

A Merkava Mk.2 and Merkava Mk.3 wheels units.