Kne-Mida (In Scale) – IPMS Israel Magazine No. 49-50, 12/2008

ARKIA 's British Turboprop Airliners - Noam Hartoch

By 1963, after two years of debates, "Arkia"'s board had decided to purchase 3 Hendly-Page Heralds in order to replace existing Dakotas, in its Tel-aviv-Eilat route.
A lower price and a wider body gave the Herald the edge over its opponent, the Fokker 27.

The first Herald, 4X-AHR had landed at Lod on April 17th, 1964, and 4X-AHS, a month later.
The third, 4X-AHT had arrived on July 28th, 1965.

By summer 1967, "Arkia"'s fleet consisted of three Heralds and two Dakotas.

The "Six Days war" had grossly changed these plans.
The occupation of Jerusalem and Sinai had created unexpected opportunities.
To overcome this, by 1967-1970, a Bavaria Flugzelsheft Herald, D-BEBE had been leased with German pilots and Israeli cabin crew.
In parallel, two additional Heralds had been ordered – 4X-AHO had arrived on April 10th, 1968 and 4X-AHN had arrived on August 16th, 1968.

During the "Six Days war", the Heralds had been allocated to the specially formed 145 squadron, led by the chief pilot Hagay Agmon.

The type had been notorious for many under carriage accidents.
By the end of 1978, all five aircrafts had been sold to British companies.

Vickers 810 Viscount service in "Arkia"
In order to respond to the post "Six Days war" increased transport requirements, "Arkia" had decided to purchase the Viscount.
On 1969, three BUA aircrafts had been purchased:
            4X-AVC had landed in Lod on October 16th, 1969.
            4X-AVB had landed in Lod on December 20th, 1969.
            4X-AVD had landed in Lod on February 24th, 1970.
Of special note, 4X-AVC had ended its service after only 10 days, after a severe taxi accident at Lod airport.

In order to supplement the fleet, a Lufthansa Viscount 814 had been purchased.
It had arrived at Lod, on April 8th, 1971, as 4X-AVA.
Two additional ex-Jordanian Alyiah company, JY-ADA and JY-ADB Viscount 834s, had been purchased via BMA.
These had arrived to Israel as 4X-AVE, on September 20th, 1972, and 4X-AVF on December 21st, 1973.

The sixth aircraft, 4X-AVG, has arrived on March 7th, 1974.
Two additional -814 aircrafts had been leased from Lufthansa, 4X-AVH, has arrived on September 1974, while, 4X-AVI, has arrived on December 15th, 1974.

By 1978/1979 the Viscount phase out process had began and finished by 1983.

DHC "Dash-7" service in "Arkia"
Selected by "Arkia", during 1980, as the successor to the Heralds and Viscounts.
In all, 13 aircrafts had been purchased, the first being 4X-AHA.
The type had been successfully serving for 27 years, to date, with an excellent safety record.
Currently, only 5 remain in service, due to very expensive landing gear overhaul cost.

Modeling "Arkia"'s aircrafts
Few models exist in the market, as follows:

1. Herald models:

A1. NOVO (ex Frog) 1:72nd kit.
A2. Welsh Models 1:144th vacuform kit.

1. Viscount models:

B1. S&M 800/810 series 1:144th injection kit, including "Arkia" 4X-AVG decal sheet.
B2. Welsh Models 1:144th vacuform kit.
B3. Aeroclub 1:144th metal propellers kit.
B4. Glenco 700 series 1:96th kit.
B5. Mach 2 700 series 1:72nd kit.

20 Years to IPMS Israel

In this article, David surveys the history of IPMS-Israel.
It was initially formed as the Israeli modeling club.
The first assembly took place at Tel Aviv's Yad-La-Baneem house, on Hanuka1987, which combined the first modeling show.
The assembly was auspiced by "J. Vilenchic and sons". 
Officially formed as IPMS-Israel on 1998, its main purposes are as follows:
1. Encouragement, assistance and guidance for new members, by this magazine and by
    annual meetings.
2. Preparation of shows and contests, exhibiting members' craftsmanship.
3. Data transfer and publication of the "Kne-Mida"magazine.
4. Monthly meetings, periodic assemblies, annual contest, including military base and
    museum visits.

Israel's MBT project - the Merkava

In this article, Guri describes the main events which have led to the evolution of the Merkava MBT, from the original "Abir" ("Knight") program, which had been aimed at license manufacturing the British Chieftain MBT, to the current Merkava mark 4 and the "Namer", Merkava APC.

Of special interest is a comprehensive kit review, as follows:

1. Mekava mark 1:

1. Tamiya 1:35th 35127 kit.
2. AEF Designs add on KI108 1:35th  kit.

As for this type, Guri recommends purchasing Academy's 1351 Merkava 2 kit, and reverse modeling it into a Merkava 1 model.

2. Merkava mark 2:

1. Perhaps the most common kit, Academy's 1351 1:35th kit.
2. Many AEF Design and Legend detailing kits, which allow modeling almost any alteration to this type.
3. Academy "Foreigner" mine clearing system for this type is included in kit 1359.
4. Merkava 2 with fourth generation protection armor, may be represented with Legend 1106 kit.
5. Legend 1143 kit represents the "Batash" track system, also applicable on Merkava 2.

3. Merkava mark 3:

1. Academy 1:35th 1391 kit represents this mark in its early days.
2. Legend 1088 kit represents the newer tracks of this mark.
3. Legend mark 3 "Baz" 1146 kit is perhaps the best for this mark.
4. Legend 1048 represents the most updated mark 3 "Baz" with fourth generation protection armor.

This kit is superior to a previous Legend 1084 conversion kit.

4. Merkava mark 4:

1. Legend 1123 kit, with early Bazooka plates.
2. Legend 1165 kit, with heavy Bazooka plates, steel wheels, under fuselage armor, all supplied as a photo etch kit.

5. Namer, Merkava APC:

1. Legend 1102 kit is a conversion of Academy's mark 3 kit.
2. Legend 1103 kit is a full kit of this APC.

As for specific detailing, Guri suggest self creating the turret steel chain protection by using links and small scale iron balls.
Tactical markings may be applied by using Isradecal kit IDF-01, for Merkava mark 1 & 2, and kit IDF-02 for Merkava mark 3 & 4

1:48th Merkava kits:

6. Academy 13005 kit and kit 13001 which contains also the engine.

Suitable for combined helicopter/tank diorama, this kit lacks in accuracy, and generally not recommended.

1:72nd Merkava kits:
A large selection of kits is available in this scale.
7. ESCI 8323 kit of the mark 1.
8. ESCI 8338 kit of an early mark 2.
9. Italeri 7005 kit is a re issue of kit 8323.
10. Revell 03134 is an early mark 3 kit.
11. Cromwell Models 72001 is a mark 2 with 4th generation protection armor kit.
12. Cromwell Models 72003 is a mark 4 kit.
13. Cromwell Models 72004 is a mark 3 "Baz" with 4th generation protection armor kit.
14. Cromwell Models 72023 is a serial "Namer" APC kit.

Literature

Undoubtedly, the most comprehensive book is Tankograd's "Merkava: a History of Israel's Main Battle Tank", by Marsh Gelbert.
It contains rich English and German texts, with more than 300 photos, most in color, and many close ups.
The book sells for 50 Euro, and fairly rare at present.

Another recommendation is Michael Mass Desert eagle: Merkava mark 3 in IDF Service part 1.
This book contains many walk around and less common interior photos.
The last section of this book is dedicated to modeling the Legend productions mark 3 kit.

As for the net, www.idf-in-scale.com is highly recommended site.

MD500 Defender in IAF service

During the early 70s, the IAF had shown interest in purchasing large quantities of attack helicopters.
On May 1977, the MD500 was successfully flight tested by IAF test pilots, leading to a Korean Army Defender being tested at Tel-nof airbase on October 1977.
The conclusion was: "an agile helicopter with an uncompleted weapon system."
As an interim solution, 30 Defenders were purchased, with the first having been arrived to Israel on November 1979.
The Defenders were absorbed in two squadrons, with the majority in a new helicopter attack quadroon, which had been officially formed in March 1980.
Five of the Defenders were absorbed in the Cobra squadron.

In October 1980 the only fatal accident of this type had occurred, during low level navigation flight, resulting in the death of Ofer Berman and Yuval Gadish.

Its first baptism of fire was during "Peace for Galilee" operation, during which the "Lahatut" (Magic trick) had destroyed many armored vehicles by Tow missiles.
"Lahatut" 213 was badly damaged during the operation by an IDF tank, after being mistakenly identified as a Syrian Gazelle helicopter.
It had successfully crash landed, and later returned to service.

The "Lahatut" continued serving along the northern front with Lebanon.
Of significance was a particular attack, in 1984, around the northern city of Tarablus, in 1984.
Two "Lahatut" were loaded on board an Israeli navy boat, and after refuel, had clandestinely crossed the Lebanese coast and successfully performed its mission.

By mid 80s some civil MD-500 had been purchased under the assumption that could be later equipped with the armament system.
These were called "Lahatut Siour" (scout Lahatut) and it were divided between the "Lahatut" squadron and the cobra squadrons.
At least two examples, 940 and 943 were equipped with "scissors" four blade quiet tail rotor.
By 1990 the recon example of the Cobra squadrons had returned to the "Lahatut" squadron.

By 1985, with the formation of the second Cobra squadron at Palmachim air base, the "Lahatut" squadron was relocated to Ramon air base.
By 1990, due to tension increase along the Lebanon border, the squadron was relocated to Ramat-David air base, from which it operated during "Grapes of Wrath" operation.

With an ever increasing demand for attack helicopter pilots, some "Lahatut" had been stationed at the flight academy, having formed the advanced attack helicopter training squadron.
Should an emergency situation have occurred and the "Lahatut" were to return to its mother squadron.
By 1996 the "Lahatut" had been replaced in this mission by US ARMY surplus AH-1Es.

A short time later, the "Lahatut" had been withdrawn from service, with 204 and 213 displayed at the air force museum, 202 and 210 at Ramat-David air base and 299 at Ramon air base.

External features

A survey of external features in enclosed to assist the modelers
All dimensions, where enclosed are in 1:48th scale.

1. External installations:

1.1 Communication antennas: the "Lahatut" had originally four antennas, three small ones under the fuselage and a fourth, whip style antenna under the boom.
By 1991 a fifth, larger antenna was installed under the co-pilot door.

1. Electronic altimeter: a Tx was installed under the fuselage, while the Rx was installed under the boom. By 1989 a larger Rx/Tx was installed in a prominent fairing under the rear section of the fuselage.
2. Radio compass: wire type antenna, two verticals, behind each of the passenger doors, and a single horizontal under the fuselage.

By 1987, the two vertical antennas had been removed.

1. RWR: four antennas had been installed, two fwd facing under the fwd fuselage and two, rear facing under the boom.
2. Above the boom antenna: by 1986 a rectangular antenna was installed above the boom.

It was 3 mm high and 2.5 mm in diameter.

1. Lights: by 1986 an additional rotating red light was installed above the boom.
2. Landing flashlight: a second, retractable flashlight was installed circa 1986 inside a rectangular fairing.

Fairing size was 7.8 mm long, 4 mm wide and 1 mm high, while the lamp was 3.3 mm in diameter.

1. Formation lights: three external lights were installed in 1985, two above each of the pylons and the third above the transmission housing.
2. Pylons: the original pylons had an aerodynamic fairing, which was removed by 1984, leaving the circular tube and the weapon carrier.
3. Skid covers: the original fairings had been removed by 1984.

The skid extenders of all models should be trimmed by 2.5 mm in 1:48th scale.

1. Armament: the "Lahatut" carried either four two missiles or two 2.75" rocket pods, one on each side.
2. Windows: by 1985, most passenger top windows had been sealed, while the lower portion of the passenger door was over painted.
3. Chaff/flare cassettes: by the end of 1989 or beginning of 1990, two side facing cassettes had been installed in a rectangular housing, on the lower portion of the passenger doors.

The housing was painted white.

1. Cable cutters: a cutter was installed in front of the transmission housing, with a rigid guide strip along the metal strip between the fwd windows.
2. Exhaust pipes: the pipes in the 1:48th kits should be trimmed by 2.5 mm.

2. painting and markings:

2.1 External painting is Humbrol 110 (3 counts) and Humbrol 119 (one count).
2.2 Squadron emblem: the emblem was applied on both sides of the vertical stabilizer.
While being operated by the Cobra squadrons, as well as the flight academy, these emblems were applied on the same locations.
By 1990 two additional emblems were applied by the "Lahatut" squadron on both side of the transmission housing.
2.3 Names: by 1992, each "Lahatut" was given names, the attack variants received names of snakes and predators, while the recon "Lahatut" were given names of hunting dogs.
The names were painted black on the port side of the transmission housing, aft of the quadroon emblem.
2.4 Cockpit color: originally painted grey FS 36231 (Humbrol 140), this had been changed, due to the introduction of night vision goggles, to mat black.
2.5 Yellow V marking: this marking was applied in June 1982 in order to distinguish Israeli helicopters from enemy ones.
2.6 Tail numbers: originally applied on both sides of the transmission housing, by 1983 it had been applied on both sides of the boom, aft of the yellow V mark.
2.7 No step stencils: applied during the early 1990s on the upper fwd and aft sections of the tow missile pod.
2.8 Blades and blade bases colors: blade bases were painted black, while the blades were painted brown FS 30140, with yellow leading edges.
Rear blades were painted brown, as for the recon "Lahatut", red and white strips were applied ob the blades.

Available kits

1:72nd scale:

1. Dragon: very accurate, representing "Lahatut" 214.
2. AZ Models: new, unknown.

1:48th scale:

1. Hasegawa: very accurate, representing early "Lahatut" 212 kit.
2. Fujimi, less accurate, difficult to obtain.

1:35th scale:

1. Dragon: very accurate, representing "Lahatut" 206.

1:24th scale:

1. Kitech: a very impressive in size, basic defender kit, needs updating in order to represent the "Lahatut".

Decals:
Isradecal, IAF-2 1:48th attack helicopters
                             IAF-10, V markings in 1:72nd & 1:48th scales.
                             IAF-23, IAF helicopters in 1:48th scale.
Sky's decals: similar IAF decal sheets, in 1:72nd, 1:48th & 1:35th scales, including    detailed "Lahatut" decals.

Building 1:32 Avia S-199 in IAF markings

Itay describes modeling the Avia s-199 "sakeen" (Knife) in IAF service.
The model is based on a modification to Hasgawa's BF-109G-14, 1:32nd ST-18 kit.

Itay used ARBA's kit, which includes an accurate grey resin engine compartment, a pair of exhaust pipes, tires, sail blades and a new spinner.
The kit contains decals for two aircrafts: D-114 & D-121.

In order to mate the engine compartment, Hasegawas's frame was trimmed at the fwd tip of the cockpit, along the existing kit outline.
The engine was easily mated by two existing supports within the resin block.

The model was painted RLM02, though the actual color was RAL 6013.

Ilan Ramon, The first Israeli Astronaut

In this article, Guri describes the space shuttle, in general and summarizes the history and operations of the different vehicles, and the ill-fated STS-107 mission.

Guri also present us with the background of the first Israeli astronaut, the late Ilan Ramon.

The article depicts many photos, courtesy of, and right reserved to NASA.
Many useful photos and drawings may be obtained via http://www.nasaimages.org.

Guri presents us with a summery of existing shuttle kits, as follows:

1. 1:72nd scale:
1. Monogran 5900, 85-4170 kit represents the shuttle with the external fuel cell and the two rocket thrusters, and is about 80 cm in height.
2. Monogran 5702 and 5904 contains the orbiter only.
3. Revel has several orbiter kits, 04702, 04714 and 04733.
4. The engines may be replaced by Cutting Edge resin kit CELO72001, or Realspace kit 72SSME.
5. Realspace issued a payload bay kit, 72PB.
6. Cutting Edge paint masking sheet CEBM72165, for the black painted sections.
7. Cutting Edge decal sheet CED72012 contains every decal used on any of the shuttles.

In 1:144th and 1:200th scale, the selection is very wide

The combination of the orbiter and its 747 carrier can be modeled with Revell 1:288th scale kit # 4527, Academy 1:288th scale kit # 1640 and Revell 1:144th scale kit # H-177.

1:48 Meteor NF.13 (AEROCLUB)

Gidi chose to model the Meteor NF-13, tail no. 50, of the "Bat" squadron.
This specific model differs by having had identification strips on its fuselage and wings.
Gidi chose to add details to the existing kit.
It included the following:

1. Adding the engine base by modifying a Mig-15 kit VK-1 engine.
2. Scratch building the gun compartment, by the aide of photos and drawings.
3. Unique Israeli installation at the aft tip of the model.

For decaling the model, Gidi used Isradecal IAF-25 set.
Gidi had to replace the David star emblem, and spray the identification strips, in scale with the David star emblem, according to existing photos of this airplane.