The Alvis Scorpion Combat Vehicle replaced the Saracen and Saladin armored cars in the British Army, entering service in 1973. It's compact and light design allowed it to be transported by air and attain a maximum speed of 50 mph. The Scorpions carried either a 76mm or 90 mm main gun.
This model was one of the last kits made by AIRFIX before the line fell silent in the 1980s, and it was also one of their nicer efforts. Much more accurate as a representation of an AFV than the earlier Airfix efforts, it still holds up to today's model kit standards. The same kit could also be completed as a Scimitar armed with a 30mm Rarden cannon.
ESCI produced this 1/72 model of the German Leopard I A1A1. This was a modification of the basic Leopard I, the applique armor on the turret and gun mantlet being the most visible improvement. About 1,845 of the Leopard Is received these modifications for the Bundeswehr, and will probably remain in service until into the 21st century.
Entering service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force in 1973, the Type 74 main battle tank was the successor of the Type 61. Mitsubishi built over 800 of these; they were armed with the British designed 105mm gun, carried a crew of 4, and can reach a top speed of 53kph. The vehicle has hydro-pneumatic suspension, which allows it to raise its rear to depress the main armament more than by just lowering the gun.
FUJIMI produced this 1/76 plastic kit (they package this kit in three different boxes, but the contents may not differ except by decals and instructions). I really like their new models; this one has nice plastic tracks with all the details and molded curvature to fit around the drive sprockets and idlers. I gave it the temporary winter camouflage, with broad white bands covering the summer colors of olive green and earth brown. The only details I added were the antennae.
Based on a design doctrine which emphasized armoured protection, the Merkava was the first tank produced by Israel. The engine is located in the front of the vehicle, and an entry/exit door is located at the rear. The tank entered service in 1979 and first saw combat action in Lebanon in 1982. The most recent version is the Mark 3.
ESCI produced this Merkava Mk 1; a Mark 2 was also made by them. The kits are no longer being produced.
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