{"product_id":"4950344995547-135-israeli-merkava-mbt","title":"Tamiya 300035127, 1:35 Israeli main battle tank Merkava (1","description":"\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1:35.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength of 245 mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne figure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003ePRODUCT DESCRIPTION \u003cbr\u003e Israel Merkava MBT Assembly kit Scale = 1:35th\u003cbr\u003e__________________________\u003cbr\u003eSpecial Details\u003cbr\u003eIn 1948, one of the many problems facing the new Jewish state of Israel was a total absence of armoured fighting vehicles, and the restrictions applied to nations who had tanks, but were refused the ability to sell them outside of their own countries, made the situation for Israel almost hopeless in obtaining any. They managed to get some derelict Sherman tanks that were going to be scrapped and a few armoured cars, but the number obtained was insufficient for the creation of a viable force. It was these conditions that eventually led to the to the development of today's impressive Merkava line.\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the cease fire of the 1948 war, several dozen Sherman tanks, of all types were purchased from all over the world and standardised on a production line set up in Israel, and designated the M-50 Sherman. Later, they were able to purchase the British Centurion tank which went on the same production line for rebuild to their own specifications. The country was still dependent upon other countries products for their armour needs and often, due to situations beyond the control of Israel, they were denied shipments of requested items. The production line was receiving requests for modifications of M48 Patton tanks as well as Soviet T54 and T55's. Following the six day war General Israel Tal, felt an urgent need for a self-sufficiency in major weapons needs such as aircraft and tanks, due to the serious cutbacks in re-supply from leading nations. He became obsessed by the idea of building tanks in Israel, and although backed by some military experts, he was regarded with some suspicion and doubted by many others. Here, with feverish ardour and imagination General Tal started the venture which in nine years produced the remarkable Merkava.\u003cbr\u003eThe Merkava is manned by a crew of four and its main armament is the 105mm M64 L71A tank gun, with secondary armament of a \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e SAFETY WARNING \u003cbr\u003e Contains small parts that could be a choking hazard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarewaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41532876619873,"sku":"4950344995547","price":22.1,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/7504\/8033\/products\/orig_10749738_1994083_jpg.jpg?v=1709725922","url":"https:\/\/www.rarewaves.com\/products\/4950344995547-135-israeli-merkava-mbt","provider":"Rarewaves.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}