Thank you Barry, Herman and Jimbo
Now, here is the "Blazer" Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).
It was noticed during previous Arab-Israeli wars that anti-tank and RPG rounds that hit something before exploding on the main armor had less prenetration, giving the idea of tiles being installed around exposed areas of the tank for more protection. The Israelis were the first to develop and field explosive tiles that give further protection by deflecting the incoming round when hit. The Blazer reactive armor made its public appearance during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon.
There are various Blazer arrangements for the Sho't Kal. Research is required in order to determine the configuration matching the base tank used (ie Mark 3, 5, 7...). Seen here are the side armor on top hull bins and under the turret storage bins, common to all.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
There are two main kind of frontal configuration for the glacis depending on whether the tank has the supplemental armored plate on the glacis or not. With the extra armor plate, the frontal configuration is called Sequential (left on picture). For tanks without the extra armor plate, a different kind of configuration called the "split 7 on 6" is used (right on picture). Because of the extra armored plate, the split 7 on 6 ERA blocks cannot be used without blocking the view of the driver.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
View of the plates on the turret roof of a Sho't Kal Gimel based on a Mark 3.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
My Sho't Kal is based on a Mark 3 and I earlier gave it the supplemental armored plate on the glacis. Therefore, I need to install a sequential frontal ERA configuration.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
A total of 36 ERA blocks of various shapes and sizes need to be scratch built, mainly in 1mm plasticard and Meng SPS-009 0.8mm bolt heads . When blocks are of the same shape and next to one another on the tank, a standard assembly method must be used to ensure the blocks are exactly similar. It also speed up the process. Here I am preparing the Sequential blocks for the glacis.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
the 1/35 AFV Club kit helped me for the dimensions.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
Parts under preparation for the Blazer on top of the turret.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
And here is the result, a 1/16 RC Centurion sho't Kal Gimel tank equipped with Blazer reactive armor, a rare sight.
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
- 1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Blazer ERA Build
Continuing on following post
This is going to be a awesome machine when you get her finished and painted. 
