DeutschWhile other modern main battle tanks were regularly reissued, the Merkava did not exist for a long time. Now there is an improved version in a new color.
| Manufacturer: | COBI |
| Set-Number: | 2621 |
| Theme: | Military |
| Release: | 2022 |
| Parts: | 825 |
| Figures: | 0 |
| Dimensions: | |
| Scale: | |
| Age: | 10 |
| Building Time ca.: | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
Instructions
Construction
A large 8×16 plate has been used as the basis for the Merkava since a long time. In most other recent models, a framework has always been created from several small plates. In the next few layers, plenty of jumper plates are used to reduce the width by half a stud. As usual, the front and rear are built separately. At least in broad strokes. Small details are only added after the separate components have been fused to the hull. This model also has a motor. However, it is not built separately and therefore removable, but directly into the hull. At this point, COBI has again adopted a bad habit from LEGO and installed several large, completely different-colored bricks.
The rear is only now completely finished and gets 2 flaps. For the engine we build a large cover. After everything has been tiled, the colorful building blocks are no longer visible. The 24 rollers of the drive all get rubber so that the smaller tracks roll properly. And that seems to have paid off. The chains run great.
In contrast to the previous model, the side skirts have a new molded part. As a result, the recesses are no longer square but round. The hull is now completely finished. For the turret we build a basic frame, which is then turned over. Everything else is then built negatively and later rotated again by reversing the building direction. Overall, the turret is very flat and comes very close to the original. No expense was spared, even on small details. Numerous small chain links have to be knotted and attached to the turret. 2 hoses and 3 antennas form the end and the Merkava Mk. 1/2 is ready.
Conclusion:
There have been numerous improvements compared to the old version. This also includes the molded parts for the side skirts. Optics and stability are excellent. Maybe one day COBI will also release the current Merkava Mk. 4, which is already available from Panlos. Unfortunately, this set does not contain any minifigures, which was the case with the predecessor. There is also no printed nameplate.
