A couple of questions about the Heng Long Merkava...

[Hamsolo]

Does anyone know what the base color is on the Heng Long Merkava is by chance? It looks like a dark sand, but not sure... trying for best match. The model comes with brass photoetch parts and some other details that will need to be painted in order to "look right" out in the field! LOL!

ALSO... Does anyone know how to open/close the battery hatch on this thing without breaking any tabs or parts in the process?

Thank you!

[Hamsolo]

Never mind about the second question... I found the release for the battery compartment! LOL! Talk about a senior moment!

[RichJohnson]

Merkavas are a light green color new, like a bit lighter than nato forest green with a tint of olive. They quickly fade to a grey green color. The longer they are in the sun more grey they get.

[Hamsolo]

Merkavas are a light green color new, like a bit lighter than nato forest green with a tint of olive. They quickly fade to a grey green color. The longer they are in the sun more grey they get.

Thank you!

Looking at the Heng Long paint job, I can sort of see a green tinge in the paint even though it is very faint. To me it still looks more of a brownish grey than anything. Did try to take a picture of the paint job with my phone, and it came out a lot brighter and greener than the model is in real life, making a liar out of me I suppose.

Damn...

The problem is that there is a bit of photoetch and other metal parts in this kit that need to be painted as shiny brass on the back of the tank isn't going to work. Same for the pom pom balls that hang from the rear of the turret, engine exhaust port, etc... Was really hoping to find a "good enough" match paint wise so that the parts in question don't look out of place or otherwise stand out w/o resorting to a repaint of the entire tank.

[RichJohnson]

fresh paint on a mark 4 like the henglong.
but it quickly fades.
a mix of Greta no khaki seem to produce and nice faded out grey green color, mixes and shades will vary.

don’t try to match their paint. It’s very wrong for a mark4. Just detail the tank and paint the whole thing with your color of choice.