Israeli Centurion - Sho’t Kal C (Gimel) - IDF 1980s - Build

[HERMAN BIX]

Ive no idea where to look
Got to get my ass to Spain............welcome back by the way

[Ad Lav]

Nice work, the turret recoil unit is very smart and should work well. Quite a heavy unit though.

Are you putting side skirts on?

[lmcq11]

Are you putting side skirts on?

Definitely. The model is probably still only at 60% completion.

thanks
Louis

[HERMAN BIX]

The mesh you used around the racks , what did you use ?
I found brass mesh used to restore fly screen windows in my local chain hardware outlet, you might have a similar type of stuff up there. It has the weave I think you are after

[lmcq11]

The mesh you used around the racks , what did you use ?

Its leftover engine grill from Verlinden 1/15 Tiger that i built 25 years ago...

Continuing with the build.

This post is for the installation of the turret and main electronics, with a short gunnery video at the end.

The Clark gun flash is installed. I do not understand why they make the wire so short, it always need to be lenghtened.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

The turret ring is smaller than the hole on the upper hull, allowing for a Heng Long turret rotation ring to simply fit in there, with the rim inside the groove. No need to do anything complicated or try to find a way to reuse the HL holes.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

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New holes and spare screws can be used to fix the rotation ring to the turret for a tight and perfect fit with the hull top. A standard HL rotation motor unit is used at the back.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Overview of the electronics under the hood. Nothing fancy here; Mato gearbox, HL speaker, Clark TK-22 control board, Flysky 10 channel receiver, HL switch, HL volume control and a bulkhead and battery tray at the front.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Gun elevation is linked to channel 6 on the VRB knob.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

A Clark M-26 Pershing TK-22 is used.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Testing underway

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Here is a short YouTube video of the turret rotation, gun elevation and recoil.

https://youtu.be/WY8TrtmrI-E

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,
This is a short post for the driver's hatch.

The 3D printed Ludwig hatch opening is made functional with the provided hinges. The IDF Centurion have a different external periscope cover. I saw two kinds of cover in murky, partial and rare references. I did some interpretations and repro one version in brass as an overlay cover for both sides.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

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The frontal arrangement for the hull top sitting on the chassis has been reworked, and 2 plasticard parts has been added on both side. I am noticing now I forgot the putty job.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Now that the heavy construction is over, I will spend some weeks going around the vehicle and installing all the individual detailed components.

Here are the smoke dischargers bins.

For an accurate Sho't Kal, the Mark 3 smoke grenade launchers need to be discarded and replaced by bins containing 10 smoke canisters each on both side of the mantlet. When not in combat, they are covered with a canvas that can be removed with a zipper.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

I am extremely grateful for the book "Centurion of the IDF Vol 7" for having provided 2 full pages of detailed shots of the bins and attachments. This book is a must for this build and highly recommended.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

The bins are built using measurements derived from the 1/35 AFV Club kit. These are rectangular and simple to make.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

The smoke canister bins are built and installed. Although I will represent the bins with the canvas covers removed at the front, the side of the a canvas need to be installed but only after painting.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

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Positioning the bins is complicated and takes a few attempts. There is an angle, and the bottom of the smoke bin needs to be aligned with the bottom of the side stowage bins.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

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1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Regards, Louis

[BarryC]

Great work Louis!

The Grenade Launchers look fantastic.

Barry

[HERMAN BIX]

Im not sure which is the most outstanding achievement..........the actual construction of the details, or the scintillating pictures that portray them in every aspect.
Certainly is an epic build that we have been spoiled with again.

[lmcq11]

Thank you Mr Herman and Barry for your encouragements. In my case, the wait for a Centurion is over.

Here is the back of the Sho't Kal. It has almost nothing to do anymore with the original Centurion Mark 3, with many American items common with the M48/M60 being used.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

The spare track holders are scratch built by using the tracks as the base to which the components are then super glued to for a solid arrangement. Three "male" tracks are selected and assembledfrom the available Elefant spares in order to mimic as much as possible the Centurion tracks.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Here is the back of the Sho't Kal model.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

The American hook was purchased from Dioramaparts from Ebay Germany. It is a perfect match and is operable.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

AFV_Model US M26 shackles are also a perfect match on their custom mount.

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

Com box

1/16 RC Centurion tank IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Ludwigs build

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continuing on following post