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

[lmcq11]

Hi, here is my build for the next few months.

It will be a 1/16 RC Ludwigs British Centurion Mk 3 converted into an IDF Shot Kal Gimel in action in the 1980s. This is the C model of the Shot (Whip), the others being the original Shot, a standard British Mk3 or 5 with 20pd gun, then the modernized Shot Kal Alef, Shot Kal Beth, Shot Kal Gimel and Shot Kal Dalet. The term Kal means that the tank was remotorized with a Continental engine.

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The model consist and will display the following features;

- Ludwigs Centurion base kit with Shot Kal Gimel Israeli modifications
- Engine cover, grills and exhaust for Continental engine
- Blazer ERA Explosive Reactive armour
- Tank Modellbau L7 105mm gun
- 2 FNMag machine guns on turret
- 1 M2 .50 pointer machine gun on main gun
- Clark M26 TK-22 control board with Flysky receiver
- Mato Gearbox
- Turret rotation, gun elevation, Clark recoil, main gun and coax machine gun sound and flash
- Metal tracks
- Headlights

This is an expensive model when all the components required are added up so when i saw a good deal for a started Ludwigs Centurion, i purchased it. The original builder put together the larger components of the hull and turret. I mostly disassembled them for the build because of the modifications required and also because i want to put it together my way.

Here are the main components of the kit

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

the turret

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The Ludwig Shot turret rear basket

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The expensive but superb all metal Tank Modellbau L7 105mm gun, designed for the Hooben Tiran T-55 but can be adapted to the Centurion. It is hollow, allowing for gun flash.

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Mato steel gearbox

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Superb metal Elefant tracks

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

3D printed road wheels with rubber band.

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

3D printed with metal sprocket and idler

Ludwigs Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

The SOL models resin FN Mag machine guns. Although many Shot Kal Gimel are seen equipped with .30 Browning machine guns on the turret, most were later replaced by FN Mag.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Although a tank equipped with reactive armor is a really bad place for infantry to stick around, i will not resist showing a couple of IDF infantry riders at the rear of the turret. Here is some IDF material being assembled for modifications.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Main reference for the build are Vol 1 and 7 of the series "Centurion Tanks of the IDF" by Robert Manasherob. Well written and illustrated with graphs and walk around pictures, this is an essential reference for this build.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

I will be helped by the AFV Club 1/35 kit of the Shot Kal Gimel, providing much needed dimensions and positioning for all the required scratch built modifications, Blazer tiles and details.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The well laid out AFV Club plans will provide much clarity for the build, such as for the hull extension and the dreaded suspension.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Showing the 1/35 engine cover and grills that need to be reproduced in 1/16 scale.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Providing dimensions and positioning for the Blazer reactive armor tiles and overall details. I always have a 1/35 kit to assist me with a basic kit. I found it to be a successful method.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

This will be a rare RC tank. Let's go.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Regards, Louis

[Ad Lav]

Look forward to this one Louis, great subject

[Black Knight]

Yay British Steel at it's finest I love the British tanks post-WW2 - the Centurion & Chieftan in particular. Gonna watch this biuld.

[Panzerjaeger66]

wow, that's great stuff, to see another Sho't build!
I like the IDF armor very well so I'll watch this build closely

If you have any question about mounting parts or a reworked manual don't hesitate to contact me directly; I've designed this kit incl. the Sho't conversion

Cheers,
Freddy

[BarryC]

This is going to be an awesome build Louis!

As all ways I'll be following along but with great interest in how you go about assembling the kit.

I have the Ludwig kit and plan an Australian machine as used in Vietnam.


Let the "Show" begin!!
Barry

[lmcq11]

Hi,

For an accurate IDF Centurion with Blazer reactive armor, the modeller has to select the later Kal variants of the Shot and perform the conversion from the Rolls-Royce Meteor to the Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine, the same engine as the American M48 and M60.

The start of the built is therefore concentrated on the required extension of the hull and the building of the new rear deck and engine grills which are very similar to the M60. Below pictures from the book "Centurion of the IDF" show the bulky extended rear and engine deck of the Shot Kal variants, totally different than the British Mark III.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

The structure of the Ludwig hull kit is the same as the AFV Club 1/35 model and scale dimensions between the two are also consistent. This is a good starting base.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

The lower rear extension is made the same way as the Israeli did on their real tanks with the addition of welded armor, with the weld lines replicated.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

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Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

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The Mark III engine deck is discarded. Too bad, it looked good.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

The new M60 style engine deck is a good challenge. Intimidating at first, my method is to plan ahead, get the right material and then build it in a telescopic fashion, one area at the time. Below is a view of the AFV Club Shot Kal.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

The base of the engine deck is prepared, measured, and parts are methodically created.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

The side grill at the rear. I reuse sections of the Mark III grill.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

The base for the front grill are created.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion - Shot Kal Gimel

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

To create the grills, which would be very difficult to scratch build with my simple tools, I use JTT 97413 Clapboard Siding to simulate the grills, these sheets are easily cut and glued to their base. I would never be able to do grills that look better and as strait.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The main section of the engine deck is designed and created using a ruler, a pen, a knife and a calculator.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

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Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Individual components are being installed.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The new 1/16 Centurion engine deck compares well to the 1/35 kit. The operation is a success, a 15 hour task.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

The Mark III grill hinges are reused and modified to fit the need of the new rear grill. A brass M1x8mm bolt is used.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

WIP on a fuel cap for the rear plate.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

More views of the Shot Kal Gimel engine deck. Note the multitude of angles but at least all parts are strait and can be made using plasticard sheets of various thickness.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Ludwigs 1/16 RC IDF Centurion Shot Kal Gimel

Continuing on following post.

[BarryC]

Hi Louis,

This build is going to be so fun to watch!

Barry

[lmcq11]

Some close up pictures of the elements

Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

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Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

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Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

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Overall view of the model at this time.

Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

Ludwigs 1/16 RC Centurion tank - Shot Kal Gimel IDF build

Some more smaller fine details, such as grill handles, need to be created. But as these are very fragile and would be lost in the manipulation of the model during construction, they will be added only at the end of the build.

Regards, Louis