Building the Takom 1/35 Merkava MK1 Complete step by step build 

"mediocre modeler". Mediocre? Man, you're the one who got me in to this hobby in the first place and taught me everything I need to know. Thank you for having such an awesome channel!

Screw the haters. Good on you for having such a good attitude. I suck and still enjoy it for relaxation and fun.

Andy the hate comments are just people who are jealous of your talent. I have been modelling since I was a kid, and the models you produce are fantastic.

Terrific build Andy! Great looking MERKAVA.

I judged local and state IPMS events for many years. I always purposely avoided the participants before judging. When we were awarding the ribbons and meeting the winners, there was always one commonality. The winners of 1,2 and 3rd were always the sweetest, quietest, and nicest people you could ever meet. They were always willing to tell their "secrets" to anyone who asked them about their entry. The arrogant and angry were always the ones who "were shafted" and wanted to log a complaint, but when I would accept their complaint and rejudge them, there were always egregious errors that I would point out to them. Only then is when they would shut up.

Love the mediocre modeler club. I been building models since 1977 and enjoy your builds enormously. I must be mediocre too.

Going to get this kit as my first tank. before this, Gundam only. So far so pumped. All thanks to you Andy. Greetings from Vietnam.

Merkava is easily the best looking MBT in the world.

Your the gift that just keeps on giving Andy. Your enthusiasm for our hobby is soooo infectious. Love your channel it's a real Mojo booster. I'm gonna get me one of those T-shirts too. 👍😉

It is a joy to watch a master at work sir. I loved making models when I was growing up a young boy in the 60's. I mostly made Military Models and Space Models. I did buy a set of Testor's Model Paints but I hardly ever painted them. My first model was the Giant Cyclops holding the Boulder over the Robinson Family from " Lost In Space ". ( Not the one with the Chariot ) I did make an attempt at painting this model. However I soon realized after I painted the form fitting space suits of the Robinsons silver that a boy of 8 years old did not have the dexterity to paint the Red Ring on the suits at the shoulder joints. I was awful at painting faces too haha.

Thanks for the video! Mediocre modeler? Right now, I'm only a kit collector, (I like that term better than "hoarder"!) Being a mediocre modeler would be a very desirable status to achieve, let alone becoming a "craftsman" or what ever comes after that! Life has me ripping and running still, with very little, if any time to build. Thanks for making light of the term, as that for many of us would be better place to be than just a "collector"!

Andy is like the Bob Ross of the modelling world!

All Heil The Mediocre Modelers! Build more models and review more items :) I like the Merkava tanks very much - thank you for building them for us. Wish you all the best, Andy!

Enjoy all your builds Andy, and have helped me immensely in my mediocre builds. Thank you for the great videos and fun model building.

I liked the "mediocre moder" reference! Don't let anyone fool you. You did an awesome job on this tank! I wish mine could look that good. Thank you for sharing. Your videos are awesome!😊👍👍

I,too, enjoy watching and re-watching your videos, because I see or hear something you said and showed me in my previous veiwing of a video of yours Andy.

A nice addition to the Tamiya kit.

I once read an article about the Merkava MK.lll from Hobby Boss where you have to make that turret chain armor from a copper chain and tiny brass balls.

hello Andy, another great model that you show us, thank you for sharing your techniques and knowledge, but I feel that every time you skip more steps when it comes to painting; I know you have many videos but, from time to time I think you should do a video step by step in painting and weathering especially for us beginners like me.

Your definitely not a mediocre modeller your video's and models are first class and an inspiration to us all !!

The inserts are a nice touch. Good build as always.

Thank you for yet another informative video. Keep them coming.

gorgeous model Andy

Awesome work

I've just 4 of the mervaka (2×mk4s and 2×3ds plus a arv) from hobbyboss for my covid isolation they look good too hope you and your family are safe n well Andy ...always enjoy your vids...take care ...Ian from York over in the U.K.

As always great job Andy!!

You are a great modeller mate and you always look like you are having fun which is the name of the game !!!! Keep it coming !!!!!

Andy, you are definitely not mediocre. Love watching your builds. 👍🏻🇦🇺

Great job!

good work Andy,looks great .recently bought 3 merkava tanks.

Wow! - Probably one of you best builds! Very impressive.

Nicely done as always.

Andy the Merkava looks great, thanks for another awesome video. I always enjoy watching and learning from you.

Hello Andy, I hope u r doing fine! Don't mind the haters, I take the hobby very seriously and I am very critical with MY MODELS. I love ur channel. You spent a lot of time to film, edit and publish your works. I respect that and I understand your point of view. I also love your models. Thank you for what you do for the world modeling community! Keep on building!

Thank you for what you do for us here in the modeling community. I am striving to become a mediocre model builder and I will get there one day.

Have to say I think this was one of your best videos, and a great tip for the paint. Be nice to see some more idf type figures. Keep up the great work

Really enjoyed watching this build Andy. You sold me ... it'll be my next build

Probably one of the most beautiful tanks imo

Hi Andy, I second what other have said regarding your channel, you are so enthusiastic about the hobby and always seem extremely happy when fronting the camera, and a BIG hooray for the Mediorce Modellers, keep producing these great videos. Happy modelling.

i just bought the tamiya merkava from you last month at your store. looking forward to the build. great video.

I'm getting one. I love your spin Andy take the negative and make it a positive.

Great work as usual! Just ordered the shirt lol. Always good to have a sense of humor about stuff.

Awesome tank

Awesome model, thanks for this vid! I am building the Tamiya merkava 1 right now, this one is much more detailed. I'll have to see if I can get this one as well.

I know this comment is a little too late but, I just don't understand why there has to be haters in a community such as this. How can you have such a negative attitude in a community as this, where ppl. are just having fun and trying to be supportive of one another.

These Takom kits are beautifull... Have a Chieftain Mk2 myself... And Andy, that is a fantastic build as always. :) What I just realize, your application of the grime and streaking comes close to working like a filter/dot filter, than opposed to the idea MIG uses his streaking products.

Once again a very nice piece of armour you made and very inspiring to make one myself. I will go for the Mk1 hybrid because having two Tamiya Mk1, s in my stash. Keep us posted about the availability of the T shirts and the options delivery and payment options. I, m a mediocre modeller too and proud of it. Great job buddy.

Takom look like they will give Tamiya a hard time. Impressive kit, I've got their King Tiger down on my Christmas list.

Best way to deal with haters is to poke fun at them. Keep up the good work and above all keep having fun

great site

I've watched your videos almost all day. (I've been sick and out of work) I've never built a model anything before but really want to give this model building a try. Your videos are very enjoyable. Thank you.

Another excellent (yes, really) build! Also I think the small sticky-up bits of plastic you mentioned, are where the plastic gets injected in to the mould.

Excellent kit, I love this tank, I'm a proud owner of that shirt. I hope to see you soon Andy, Cheers. - Stephen

You are the men Andy

MERKAVA LOOKS LIKE ITS FROM STAR WARS LOL I LOVE IT AND GREAT JOB ANDY !!!!!

I am at best above average as a modeller and painter. My philosophy has always been "It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be good enough". So getting a couple of those shirts! I need something to wear while painting besides my best shirts.

Great build as always! I really like that little ball chain armour, though i think i prefer the Hobby Boss Mk 3 Merkava, in that kit the chain is actual chain and it had little metal balls that hook on the end, you have to be quite careful when cutting the chain to size because you don't get much, as well though they appear to be double the size than in this kit.

Simple for beginners like me thx

Great! Good for you, Andy. Forget the trolls!

Building this model now , what a Beauty she is

screw the haters! as much as i can appreciate the rivet counters and their builds i hate how some try to ruin the hobby for everyone else. Love the videos keep them coming.

Probably useful for one or two people who read this 😂. I usually do the lower parts first aswell after I done all the stuff like painting and putting the tracks on i wrap the road wheels and tracks with plastic and then glue the upper parts together after im done with the upper parts all i have to do is remove the plastic wrap and then voila its a clean result... well at least it works for me lol 😂 Btw great build andy (as always)

great shirt Andy! love your videos and especially your positive attitude. Haters always gonna hate...can't save them...

My god, I really want to visit your store. Hello from Indonesia... ^_^

Very nice kit! Great idea with the t-shirt's! Screw the haters, your building very nice kits. It's still a hobby! ;-)

The old ball and chain,!!! Armour!!

It's very contagious the energy and feeling you express while assembling this models, will you do the Merkava Mk 3D late LIC from meng? Would be a good way to show the differences in armour between the Mk 3.

Just to be nit picky,the proper Name For the "Guide horns" IS Center Guides 😁😁

Having seen the Merkava close up during my service in South-Lebanon - it is definitly a cool tank - only weighing 70 tons :) - but it has air condition and room for 4 to 6 soldiers or one or two stretchers when rescuing wounded - just make it clear - you kinda feel the tank before you hear it :)

If you're mediocre Andy, then I would hate to know the word to describe me. Your painting skills are excellent.

Kool!

The return of the classical music! I've done the same technique with the streaking and always end up with my paint turning white from the thinner. I use Tamiya acrylic paint, TS-80 flat clear, and MIG odorless thinner - all the exact same stuff Andy does. I don't get what's going wrong.

Mediocre? That bad boy is Beautiful! Well done sir!

The best.

Bonjour de la France ville dunkerque superbe excellent travail 👍👍👍🇫🇷🇺🇸🇫🇷🇺🇸🇫🇷🇺🇸

Andy i forgot to say a very happy 21st wedding anniversary to you and your good wife.

Nicely done Andy! You are starting to amass quite the collection of IDF vehicles. I think it would be cool if you did an Israeli F-16 or an Israeli attack helicopter.

Just curious I know of some Takom models come with internal fixture does this kit have any internal features and 2 secondly do they come with a tank crew? I got a box of after market Israeli tank crew in the 7 day war old uniform and was looking for a Super Sherman not sure it will go along with this tank instead.

needs more doka yes lookd good and will see as go

Anyone thinks that merkava's turret looks like a gaming mouse? Anyway, nice bulid!

Andy's . what Tamiya colors can I use to paint a Merkava Mk 1 Lebanon war and Piece for Galilea ? thanks

theres no way your mediocre andy...hobby headquarters is one of my favourite channels

Hi Andy, hey I watch all ya stuff and I appreciate you sharing of knowledge. I'm in New Zealand and was wondering how we get hold of your shops t shirt mate. Keep the vids coming. Cheers 😉

Only just found this build to my eternal shame :(,thank you for posting which glue type you are using during the build.A godsend as i have not made a kit for nigh on 22years but itching now:D.

making mediocre awesome since forever! awesome stuff andy , haters need a good old punch to the prostate!

...pretty snazzy. I've always done most of my paint work with the pieces still on the sprue... was I wrong?

Hi please tell me what kind of airbrush do you work, thank you

Hi Andy great work! I tried using your thinner + grime technique at 25:30 to make a wash. The enamel thinner ate through the underlying acrylic paint, despite 2 fully cured coats of TS-80. It fully ruined the paint job :( Did I miss something?

great video andy, please can you tell me the name of the circles stencil?

Gorgeous once again as usual. Gotta get one of those circle templates. Really makes easy work of painting the wheels. Really would’ve liked to see how you managed the cabling, I know that was a hassle for you but it’s a nightmare for me, so to see how you go about solving it would be great on a future episode. Thanks again for sharing your builds and knowledge!

Not sure what is "mediocre" about your building, looks good to me. Happy Saturday.

Great build, Andy! I was wondering, though...on the driver's side, near the driver's hatch on the side of the tank, there is a hole that looks like it's been weathered as an exhaust port. Isn't the exhaust port on the commander's side of the tank right next to the engine, the long row of vents?

Mediocre? Man, I guess they just don't see the passion you put into your models as well as the time and effort to make glorious masterpieces! I would rather be mediocre any day than be a "pro" and disgrace those who have fun! Happy building :D.

Would anyone know of any figure sets that can go with this tank and be historically accurate?

Did you prime the model?

I have one cardinal problem with this made Merkava. This Merkava have armor from early 80s! "BUT" this early initial version had never balistic balls on backside! Only hybrid Mk.1 from 90s had balls on chains, upgraded armor and smokers and atc. from Mk.2 and Mk.3 standard. This balls on chains where used first on Mk.3. IDF upgraded Mk.2 to subversion C in early 90s. In this time had IDF Merkava Mk.3, Mk.2C and Hybrid updated Mk.1.

Do you use a spray booth or fan when airbrushing? I'm wanting to get back into the hobby and would like to know if a spray booth is necessary with acrylic paints.

Супер. Я бы купил этот набор+++

I noticed you didn't seem to address the gun tube seams on the sides, didn't look like you sanded them, any reason for that?

Another enjoyable vid Andy! Will the shirts be available in your store or just through the Website? I'd love to have one!