AFV Club - IDF Sho't Kal Dalet 1982

A Brief History

  The Sho't Kal tanks entered IDF service in 1970. Control mechanisms and turrets were upgraded in 1976. These were called Sho't Kal B (Bet). The tanks were later equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA) to ward off the effects of the shaped head charges of RPGs. These were called Sho't Kal C (Gimel). They were used in the battlefield in the 1982 Lebanon War. In 1984 the Sho't Kal tanks were upgraded again and were named Sho't Kal D (Dalet) and were in service through the late 1980's.

What's In The Box

This latest version of the Sho't Kals from AFV Club is the 1982 Sho't Kal Dalet with a battering ram. Parts are finely molded in olive drab colored plastic. There are 22 plastic sprues, 24 vinyl tires, 2 sets poly caps, 3 metal barrel parts, 6 metal springs, a pair of nicely molded plastic tracks, string for tow cables,1 PE fret, decals for 4 vehicles, vinyl gun boots, and a sprue of clear parts. The instructions are of the exploded view type with 37 steps in construction. There are many very small parts in the kit. There are 2 color pages of vehicle colors and decal callouts. The paint list is for Gunze Sangyo, Humbrol, Revell and Lifecolor paints. All parts come wrapped in sealed plastic bags. 

Information and Instruction Booklet

Color & Decal Callouts

Instructions with 37 Steps

Sprue A Hull Bottom Tub

Sprue B x 2

Sprue C

Sprue D

Sprue E x 2

Sprue H

Sprue I

Decal Sheet J

Sprue K

Sprue L

Metal Parts M1-3

Sprue  N

Sprue  P

Photo Etch Fret G

Polycaps R x 2

R x 24 Vinyl Wheel Tires

Tracks T x 2

Sprue Q x 2

Sprue  V

Sprue U x 2

Sprue W

Sprue X

Sprue Y

Sprue V

Sprue D

Part I 34 

Part I 17

This looks like a great IDF kit. I am looking forward to this build. I do not see any drawbacks in what I have seen in the box. These tanks were festooned with many interesting parts that make them really something to be proud of when they are done. Time to dig in to the build!

Highly Recommended (pending the actual build. Look for the full build review here soon)   

Thank you to AFV Clubfor the review sample.

Review by Bill Schmidt
Northeast Military Modelers Association AMPS