Product Review

1:72 Scale Metal Die-Cast - Merkava Israel Defence Force Main Battle Tank - Length: 5.25" (from end of vehicle to tip of the main gun) Width: 2" This Merkava tank model's body is made of metal while the turret is made of plastic. The turret can rotate all 360 degrees. The tracks are made of rubber and are fitted, however they do not move. The coloring and markings are accurate and realistic. The maker of the model, Eaglemoss, really did a good job with the model, the panel lines and details are very clear and crisp. These models have different details engraved such as doors, hatches, panels, lights, ports, antennas, machine guns, ropes, shovels, etc; all of these done with high accuracy and proportion. When they are painted in different color, say for example, shovels and ropes, they are indeed painted accurately. These models come in what could be described as a disposable blister pack. The packaging is very minimum, the blister back is just big enough to enclose the vehicle and the cardboard backing to which the blister is attached is barely bigger than the lengths and width dimension of the vehicle. Although these models are inexpensive and just about the size of a (regular) computer mouse, they are certainly not toys. The tracks don't move and the turrets and their main guns and machine guns can be quite fragile because of their size. However, unlike airplanes and helicopters, tank models don't have all those think and long parts, so in practice, a tank model would be able to withstand more than an airplane or helicopter model.