Busting Tank Myths: Merkava

I've made videos talking about and busting tank myths in the past, but there wasn't an overall theme. I've recently decided to do more topical myth videos. For this one, we're going to be focusing on the Israel Defense Force's Merkava main battle tank. The Merkava is a pretty interesting and unconventional design, which has led to a number of myths and misconceptions forming around it. We're going to be taking a look at a few of them today.
Check the channel "About" section for the link to the creator of my profile picture.
Sources:
Various crew testimonies (all wished to remain anonymous)
Military Review - The Professional Journal of the US Army (January 1985)
The Uncertain Role of the Tank in Modern War: Lessons from the Israeli Experience in Hybrid Warfare by Michael B. Kim
Merkava Main Battle Tank - Samuel Katz
Jane's Armour and Artillery 1983-84
The Atlantic, Volume 255
Songs used (in order from first to last):
Subnautica - Into the Unknown
Halo 3: ODST - Rain (Deference for Darkness)
Sound mods:
Epic Thunder (Pre-release)
Gunner HEAT PC Crew Voices Mod (Personal, go play the game: gunnerheatpc.com/ )
Sponsor: apexgamingpcs....
Second channel: / @spookstoon
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#warthunder​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tanks​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tankhistory

[@nothingnewunderthesun1689]

I served on a Stryker ICV as a driver, gunner, and dismount. I can only think of once or twice when the exhaust blacked out the TIM and it was just momentarily. Honestly I remember heat distortion off the desert being a bigger issue.

[@fiery_pit7279]

Nice story

[@fiery_pit7279]

I love stories from experience’s in armored vehicles

[@Lumadous]

If the exhaust cover is removed it is more of an issue, but in the presence of any sort of wind it becomes a none issue

[@cheesecakedoublepeanutbutt6511]

War Thunder designers: Im gonna pretend I did not see that

[@jimbothegymbro7086]

Was it like a white flash? (when white hot) or more of a fog only in your thermals?

[@thepoglin8479]

Tank furry blesses us with more of his knowledge once more

[@Tr4wnet]

OwO

[@cosmicdistortion4350]

his voice in this video sounds completely different, or is that just me?

[@misterputin8898]

*Spookston saying "Awooo" 10 hours extended version*

[@hansloyalitat9774]

he doesnt know crap

[@attafathur]

@@hansloyalitat9774 you seem desperate for attention

[@bushboi]

You should seriously consider covering the Ratel chassis because I'm certain that its made a lot worse in WT (most notably its mobility that's been made bad because its wheeled)

[@blumpfreyfranks8863]

Thats just WT’s garbage logic. The Ratel in irl has perfectly good off-road speed, its just in WT wheeled + off-road = bad

[@bickboose9364]

I honestly think the people at Gaijin are the only Russians on the planet who haven't driven a wheeled off-road vehicle.

[@arcturus960]

Hahaha, yes wheeled vehicles goes 15 off-road and then still has bad acceleration even on a road

[@nightshade4873]

@@blumpfreyfranks8863 Bad emulation of drive trains and torque things?

[@ravenouself4181]

At least wheeled vehicles can climb a small hill

[@dogebot4619]

Although the Merkava is rarely used as a troop transport, one tank in a tank company (most of the time it's the company's commander tank) will have a medic sitting in the rear corridor in case someone needs treatment. And although the Merkava was not designed specifically for cqc, future versions should include the iron vision helmet that will increase it's performance in urban environments. Cheers from the 188 brigade, love your content spookston

[@CATASTEROID934]

IIRC the Namer is the dedicated heavy APC using the same chassis/hull as the Merkava

[@tinycockjock1967]

אח יקררר

[@cristiancervantescardenas4759]

Also, some crews carry 2 soldiers in with the back door open to provide additional protection in urban environments

[@Sercer25]

I like how close your name is to 'ZOGbot'

[@Shmuzznik]

בוא נשמור על ביטחון שדה ולא נספר לכולם מי עושה מה אוקי? (;

[@guss77]

Former Merkava gunner here, I worked on 2Bs (2Cs, 2Es, etc - the mk2 naming deserves its own article) and 4Bs. some notes: - IFV: I did combined arms training with both full infantry load (6-8 people) and half load (you get to keep half of you hull ammo, but can cram only 4 guys), so it is definitely practiced and executed in RL. there are fittings for stretchers that we had to maintain, but I've never seen these used, not even in training. - Engine thermals: because the engine deck plate is so thick, you can't actually see the engine heat in thermals, so there's no issue looking forward. when you point at ~1 o'clock, there's a slight shimmer from the exhaust, but it is barely noticeable. the main feature of the Merkava exhaust in thermals is for IFF 😅. - Urban warfare - while the Merkava was not originally designed for LI and urban, one of the main takeaways of the Lebanon wars is that tanks need urban capabilities - the loader MG was added as a hack during the first Lebanese war and was later integrated in mk2 (though it was removed in mk4) and the shorter barrel on the 120mm is definitely related to LI requirements. it also helps that the new DS ammo is so much more accurate that you don't need such a long barrel, but that is besides the point 😊. - I also forgot to mention that one of the interesting features of the side exhaust is the engine smoke feature: AFAIK this used to be a feature deployed on post WW2 tanks but is considered of limited use because when dispersing the smoke from the rear, it does not hide the tank very well and is mainly used while retreating. with the Merkava exhaust being almost on front, venting smoke from the exhaust (by spraying unburnt fuel just inside the engine exhaust port) is very effective and practiced by the IDF. I once got to see a full tank platoon in firing positions do synchronized smoke dispersion and it is super effective.

[@OzBenaim]

אח יקר. ללא חחייבים ללספר ככל דדבר. בבטחון ששדה ממינימלי

[@guss77]

@@OzBenaim nothing I mentioned is a secret and Janes covered all that decades ago.

[@marlisonbreno8955]

Hey you talk a little of merkava hull armor ? Its true the merkava only armor in the hull is the engine ? Or the merkava have a heavy armor in the front of hull and the engine are a second armor ?

[@guss77]

@@marlisonbreno8955 Merkava hull is a lot of RHS with additional protection created by differential densities of components (engine, fuel tanks, batteries, ammo cartridges, etc), but it's not true that it is otherwise unarmoured: there are the side plates that are super modern advanced armor, there are bolted on advanced armor modules in the back and front and an under-hull spaced RHS plate to defeat IEDs and non-pressure triggered mines.

[@Idontknowlol595]

@@guss77 in war thunder merkava smoke grenades if hit deal no damage to the tank

[@CrniWuk]

The part with the back door and ammunition was actually a pretty important design feature based on previous experience Israelian tankers had in conflicts with the Centurion where the tanks would often run out of ammunition. The loading process though took quite some time because the ammunition had to be loaded by the crew trough the turret. Obviously not something that's easily or quickly done during combat operations and which has proven to be quite an issue for the Israelis. So with the engine in the front they had an opportunity to make this process much faster and less tiring for the crews so the vehicles could be easier kept fully operational if needed.

[@bigman-adv]

I was a Merkava Mk2B commander. The exhaust myth is non sense. The hot gasses exit from the right side and have no affect on the optics which are way back and higher. As for the rear door, we also used it as a sleeping bunk. Merkavas have a line phone in the back next to the door, for infantry, medics and mechanics. They can enter safely from back if needed, take out wounded. Infantry could also use it to get ammo, water, food etc. during battle.

[@hhale]

We used the rear hatch of the M-113 in which the same way. Not a terrible place to catch some sleep when you can actually.

[@israeli_tank_lover]

@@patronemir israel goes out of there way to NOT kill civilians, stop repeating lies, the only time israel unintentionally kills civilians is when the enemy hides behind them

[@zgoodt]

@@patronemir They will never answer you.

[@daniladanila3230]

Pro nazistinians putting politics everywhere these days​@@patronemir

[@biggus333]

how many children have you murdered for sport?

[@PrometheanGOld4]

This just might be my morning grogginess, but why does the Merkava turret look like a doorstop? Regardless, very good information Spookston!

[@ZETH_27]

Arrowhead-style turrets go for extreme angeling meaning that you can make the turret taller (have more room) without creating a substantial weak spot, this however does have the side-effect of making the turret very long and wide as opposed to an ordinary turret with flat walls.

[@guywhodoesstuff3314]

@@ZETH_27 also helps up-armor the vehicle without using thicker material, can help with weight reduction though that's not always the case.

[@japotei5988]

If it can stop a door it can stop a bullet

[@Gegengrupenfuhrur]

It goes by many nicknames. The dangerous doorstop, the carnivorous provolone, the fiesty cheese wedge, and the roof ramp of doom.

[@dashiellgillingham4579]

Better armor when facing the enemy at the expense of being relatively worse when attacked from multiple directions, plus anything else the comments came up with before me.

[@TheDgamesD]

I do love playing the Merkava 4M in Armored warfare. She gets the gimmick of the only MBT that can deploy a Mortar crew. its a nice bonus.

[@BenyKarachun]

In reality the Merkava has an internal 60mm mortar

[@PoisoningShadow671]

Shame AW isnt that popular anymore, I ended up dropping it because it had server inputs, not client, and being an Australian, it would literally take up to a second before the vehicle registered I was trying to steer. (not as bad on tracked vehicles but a nightmare on wheeled vehicles.)

[@TheDgamesD]

@@PoisoningShadow671 Yeah the server connections to AUS and CIS aren't great sadly, though it's been getting better i hear. If you're ever interested into getting back into the game i can drag you in to my buddies group ACL who still play it. I mean hey new story stuff is dropping next month

[@laszlomiskei9138]

My favorite t5 of the game

[@jerrycan1756]

You ought to see it in Wargame They didn't properly consider unit sizes when they determined which vehicles could carry what, so a 12-man squad can use one Merkava as a transport

[@codmw31010]

I don't know if its a myth or not but there is a funny story about the british refusal to give Israel the chieftain. The IDF actually was given a few for testing and they were tested somewhere next to the border. Then in 1967, the six day war has begun and the british told the IDF to move the chieftains away from the border, the Israelis replayed with: "its ok, we moved the border". pro move right there.

[@foxyboiiyt3332]

Yes invade your neighbours and take their land. Pro move. Like Putin.... But it's OK if Israel does it apparently

[@Callsign_Merkava]

Big brain move

[@058yair]

לא אמיתי הטנקים האלה היו בששת הימים בתל אביב אבל אחלה בדיחה

[@itzikashemtov6045]

"Where the tank treads stop, The Borders shall be set", I think I heard this motto in one of the Israeli tank battalions.

[@NimDod]

It's a cute story, but not true. the chieftains were developed and tested in Israel after the 1967 war, and the British pulled out from the project, due to Arab countries pressure in 1969

[@TheQueer23]

another reason for the centurion chassis myth is that the original merkavas used the centurions tracks and wheels, so it kinda looks like one.

[@SaperPl1]

You forgot about the fact that Merkava in the game is catching fire like hell with the fuel tank in front of the engine while according to statistics, there's like a 5% of chance for the fuel to catch fire when tanks get perforated. Also the front plate over this fuel tank is modelled as a shaped stamped sheet of uniform thickness armour plate while it's really weird to make a weak spot like this by changing the angle, right in front of the vehicle, without increasing the armour thickness there, and I think this front portion may be actually a mold/cast that is thicker in this area. It seems as gaijin just didn't want the Merkava to be virtually unbeatable from the front so they faked how easy it is to set the front fuel tank on fire, because you need to push it out first, and that blind spot with exhaust, otherwise it might not scale well as they would need to push it very high up without those faked nerfs.

[@sys3248]

Well a penetrating shot to the engine deck would mess the engines or it's subsystem anyways. If it didn't combust immediately from impacts it still possible it can catch fire from something else once they're damaged.

[@blackwoodsecurity531]

@@sys3248 were talking about the difference between a puff of smoke coming from the hole bored in the engine to a sudden fuel fire that's actively killing the crew. It's a huge problem that vehicles in WT can be knocked out by a light fuel fire (especially when there have been multiple fail-safes installed into tanks to prevent fires, or stop fires in progress) Speaking of fail-safes, every modern MBT kills fires. It's a whole doubled up system that floods the affected and potentially affected compartments with gas to starve the fire.

[@borismissiuna6422]

According to Gen Tal the creator of the Merkava. 3 inches of Diesel fuel is equivalent to one inch of steel plate armour. They incorporated this into the design deliberately for safety of the crew and survivability. Getting information from a computer game will not help you.

[@sys3248]

@@borismissiuna6422 they never tests that theory either. They never published tests results of experiments confirming front engine deck added significant protections against modern armor piercing and heat projectiles.

[@borismissiuna6422]

@@sys3248 Would you make this public if you were Israel?? This would not be a peer reviewed piece of information. How could it possibly help them to release this information like that. Gen Tal did say it and perhaps he should have kept mum but he said this and there is no reason for him to lie about it. They somehow figured this out.

[@kfeltenberger]

The main gun on the Merkava IV is beefed up to handle much higher pressures than normal due to some of the rounds that are used.

[@CyberneticArgumentCreator]

Same treatment the later US 120mm cannons got for the more modern rounds. They designated "for use in XXXX or later barrels" to make sure they weren't fired from the lower-strength earlier models.

[@SayakMajumder]

In 2014, Israel reported that exports of the Mk. 4 had started; the purchasing country's name was not disclosed for security reasons. There's been long discussion as to which country that may be. Can't be Colombia, coz the Merkava deal fell through in 2012. Most rumors points to Singapore. But if that was indeed real, it would've been known by now, given Singapore's size.

[@kulkidz33]

Singaporean here If israel did export merkavas to singapore, it would be plausible considering we helped develop their iron dome defense. Plus they know how to keep it very lowkey, we have some very good internal security so they definitely put extra work into making sure no one finds out about the merkavas (if we have them) Its not the first time singapore hid tanks from everyone Singapore had aquired israeli and indian centurions but information about it is extremely scarce and the trail ends in thailand. In 2018 they found out singapore bought the newer leopard 2a7 from germany, when asked about it the goverment just denied they did such a thing

[@kousand9917]

Could be Singapore but I also suspect the US army may have picked up a few to study

[@quentintin1]

@@kousand9917 allies will usually lend each other samples of their tanks for comparison if the us needed to learn shit about the merks, they'd just have to phone Jerusalem, ask to borrow one tank and take it for a ride at Aberdeen i wouldn't be even surprised if the army collection does have at least one Merkava somewhere

[@circleofsorrow4583]

@@quentintin1 yeah, because information flows both ways with Israel, right? US troops helped defend Israel when all the Arabs surrounding them decided to push them into the sea. The US stations troops at a military base in Israel permanently in case of future threats. The nuclear capability of Israel is maintained in part by the US and forms part of the combined nuclear deterrence. Israel is a member of NATO. I might of gotten some of those statements wrong 🤔 but Israel is definitely an 'ally' of the US and would breach security protocols to give them a tank their enemies know little about.

[@definitelyharvarduniversit6575]

@@kulkidz33 Singapore uses Leopard 2A4

[@AbdullahKhan-pv1qz]

Some desert dude with an IED and an RPG, hold my prayer rug

[@fahoodie1852]

Israeli tank operators when they see an inverted red triangle above their vehicle

[@barackdcs]

same desert terrorist hasnt destroyed a single merkava in gaza, truely insane

[@AbdullahKhan-pv1qz]

@@barackdcs k bro

[@barackdcs]

@@AbdullahKhan-pv1qz i mean you can try and find me a destroyed markava from gaza

[@Sagii154]

Not a single Merkava 4 tank has been destroyed or taken out of commission in this war. That is a fact. The videos you've been seeing are actually the Merkava defence systems in action (blowing up the rocket in the air and not on the tank)

[@hedgeearthridge6807]

Definitely one of the coolest looking tanks imo. That gigantic turret. It looks like some kind of sci-fi space tank, but the kind the villians in the story would use, since the bad guys always have the meanest and coolest looking things. LOL

[@mypasswordisn6581]

The villains ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@agravemisunderstanding9668]

I mean they kinda are the villains aren't they?

[@halmuradturghun1048]

They have to look villainous to the children that they try to run over.

[@e.h8686]

el-yassine hold my thermal beer

[@AbderrahmanFodili]

Let's go hallal bro. Hold my coffee 😂

[@omarosama155]

@@AbderrahmanFodililmao

[@jrmx31]

wow videos of rpgs hitting tanks and always cutting out before the aftermath because they barely scratch it, so insane bro

[@jameswilliam7992]

@@jrmx31 OMIGOD wow. A quick KZbin search will humble you 😏Many of those Merkavas have became BBQ grills by Hamas 😂

[@jrmx31]

They only show the explosion not what came after, the explosion could be from the trophy system. And even if it hits, the chances are low that it will destroy the tank, at most it will harm it, but the crew will remain alive.@@jameswilliam7992

[@exo068]

Please do the same thing with the Leopard and the T80/T90 tanks. It’s a very entertaining video format.

[@Colin-i9z]

Al-Yassin 105 has entered the chat

[@jrmx31]

wow videos of rpgs hitting tanks and always cutting out before the aftermath because they barely scratch it, so insane bro

[@georgenutsubidze9329]

Merkavas can stand more than 15 hits until they need to repair yes it doesn't destroy the tank it only damages it and the tank will be repaired in weeks ready for battle

[@myYt0198]

​@@jrmx31let them have their fun they're losing pretty badly so they take any win including if a rpg just hits a tank 🗿

[@burningsinner1132]

The worst myth busted is that Merkava is a good tank. Good tanks don't die by the tens to the guys with zero supply lines, zero training, homemade rockets and tracked pants with a t-shirt for armor.

[@FishWithAquaphobia]

I'm guessing you forgot how the same thing happened to the Americans in Iraq, and the Russians in Afghanistan?

[@burningsinner1132]

@@FishWithAquaphobia The deal is, they didn't laugh in goblin mode claiming that it wouldn't happen with THEIR tanks.

[@FishWithAquaphobia]

@@burningsinner1132 When did Israel say that?

[@burningsinner1132]

@@FishWithAquaphobia Israel didn't. Israelbots, however, is another matter. And JIDF exists.

[@shaider1982]

You mean Hamas? They have training, courtesy , most likely, from Iran. They are trained, they even have pamphlets of were the weak points of Israeli vehicle are. Any good weapons system can be overwhelmed with large numbers.

[@NafeeDoesStuff]

Gets taken out by a 100$ Yassin 105

[@Kahan1st]

it can survive like 15 shots from one of those

[@NafeeDoesStuff]

@@Kahan1st videos prove otherwise

[@ahmadalmhadeen3526]

​​@@Kahan1stI guess you indian ? Or maybe indian bot working for israel ? Anyway tanks does not have health bar for taking specific amount of rockets... it is about the armor thickness across every surface of the tank, and all or some of the tank crew could be knocked out without the explosion of the tank. the explosion mean the ammo rack or the fuel has been hit so the videos showing yasin hitting those tank on the back or rear side are probably deadly for one or more of the crew

[@yaersacks5277]

​@@ahmadalmhadeen3526those explosions ate more likely the trophy system activating

[@ahmadalmhadeen3526]

@@yaersacks5277 Trophy system work only if the anti tank weapon lunched far than 30 meters and yes the trophy worked very good in many videos but in some videos it shows less than 30 and 20 meters of tbg 105 lunched on the back and rear lateral sides of the tank which shows a direct imapct on less than 80mm to 50 mm of armor surfaces which mean 100% deadly shot and there is a photo published 3 days ago of a graveyard of about 8 armored vehichles burned and disabled on a road including 3 merkavas one of them without a turrent... this is reasonable cause no tank in the world has been build to do this and go in that type of battles of tunnels and condense urban battlefields.

[@seasdiamond1926]

I think the argument about Merkava being designed for city fighting is more due to its armor arrangement than the fact that it has shorter cannons…

[@LDSJ005]

buying the premium Merkava next week. i’m hyped. these things seem like a lot of fun

[@historybuilds]

the strv 103 is an MBT and it has the engine in the front!

[@gideonhorwitz9434]

For a small country a trained tank crew is worth more than the actual tank.

[@maverickjhett]

if we are talking about myths, the Type 10 sure has a lot floating around although they are probably harder to prove/disprove. some people think that it has worse armor than the Type 90, some people think it has 800mm KE protection. There are a lot of misconceptions about its gun with people assuming it’s a licensed product. however the worst article i ever saw stated the Type 10 wasn’t designed to fight other armored vehicles because of its weak armor and instead was suppose to support infantry…

[@DEADDEVILCAT]

I'd like to hear you talk about the jack-in-the-box effect at some point. What causes it in tanks, what tanks are susceptible, how its been mitigated via technology and innovation, etc.

[@929Finn]

I wonder if the transport aspect was partly influenced by the fact the Namer uses that exit as it's primary dismount (since it is a Merkava based apc).

[@grandmoffrex]

Oh boy the comments are gonna be fun

[@unclesam5733]

There are only 3 Merkavas in the whole of Europe. Lucky enough I've seen one. Beautiful and large tank, it was the MK1. I would to see MK4 tho.

[@philippeszwarcbart6507]

If you ever visit Israel, go to the tank museum in Latrun. They have tanks from all of Israel’s wars, including the mk4 as well as a bunch of foreign tanks from around the world.

[@unclesam5733]

@@philippeszwarcbart6507 Izrael is a bit too far from me. But if I ever do ill definitely visit it. If you ever happen to be near Czech Republic visit air park Zruč u Plzně, they have tons of jets and some tanks and helicopters. And you can sit inside, I can also recommend Tank muzeum Lešany, its completely free and there are tons of tanks even one of the Merkavas.

[@johnnymnemonic8487]

I'm an American that loves the Abrams but the Merkava is the best-looking tank I've ever seen.

[@BenyKarachun]

The exhaust doesnt block the thermal sights at all, I promise you that

[@T33K3SS3LCH3N]

The history of the rear door is pretty interesting. Israel's prior experience was that fortified tank positions were extremely powerful and often lasted so long that they ran out of ammo. So they wanted a rear door to be able to resupply dug-in tanks in a relatively safe way. This seems like a pretty unrealistic concept in most modern scenarios, but the door still provides some neat utility in general like the ambulance use.

[@rustyshaklford9557]

🔻

[@etaiavni4270]

wow videos of rpgs hitting tanks and always cutting out before the aftermath because they barely scratch it, so insane bro

[@rustyshaklford9557]

You seem mad.

[@Anas-cv3ks]

@@rustyshaklford9557 dude trying so hard to spread IDF PROPAGANDA

[@oussemachrif7572]

😂😂😂 ye​@@Anas-cv3ks

[@vadimf8301]

One of the most cool looking tanks, very beautiful and very futuristic. I LOVE the looks of this tank.

[@uIfsark]

the S tank is an MBT and has two engines in the front D:

[@stc2828]

That thing is not an MBT lol, it has 0 attack capability.

[@AvnerSenderowicz]

Excellent video, very informative and level headed. The key design principle of the Merkava is crew survivability. In 1973 during the Yom Kippur war the causality rate of tank crews was such that it became evident the primary problem isn't having enough tanks but rather having enough trained tankers. Some reports from Ukraine suggest Russian army is discovering the same thing, they may have thousands of tanks but they don't have enough crewmen to operate even half of them. That's why the engine of the Merkava is in front and also why IDF trains a lot of tankers relative to the number of operational vehicles, the thinking is, during large scale conflict, lots of tanks can be repaired and put back into service and new stocks might be coming in from the US, but if you don't have trained crews to operate them they are just 60 ton paperweights.

[@yuvalgabay1023]

The sad reality that being a tanker in the idf is kinda looks bad apon..like its known that there training base is one pf the worst bases in the idf and their general quilty of life is like super low. + The fact that they see berly any action cause soliders to get the f out of there.

[@duke0salt717]

Merkava is one of my favorite looking mbts. Sucks I don't know much about it

[@asafhadad6051]

As a former tank loader of this i can say for sure the reload speed of the first 10 shells are close to 3.5 sec to 4.5 sec as you go through the drum and you get tired but definitely not 6.7 sec

[@mirandalockey7334]

I feel like I should mention that the merkava chassis has been used as an APC, simply removing the turret and modifying the hull slightly.

[@IndraKurniawan-vk2qb]

0:15 the S-tank is also officially an MBT. but idk, in War Thunder it cant be played as mbt :(

[@reinbeers5322]

It has _two_ engines even

[@AttiliusRex]

What u talking about, its a great MBT in war thunder Just not suited for urban combat, but neither is any other tank

[@Stridsvagn-mz2bk]

@@AttiliusRex Swedish wedge for the win

[@alexshtyn6336]

You can pickup some slight heat pollution when u zoom all the way out but was never a problem because the sensor is located up and back from the grilles .(was a guner on mk4)

[@aybmnn]

Then comes Yassin-105 🔻

[@etaiavni4270]

oh no! red arrows that cut before showing the aftermath because they didnt do shit!

[@SpaceLion79]

@@etaiavni4270 Yes, that's why they agreed to a truce.

[@zak_joubail]

Bro think it's a movie so the camera crew can film the aftermath 4k, forgetting even Israelis soldiers killed by friendly fire or bombed fearing being captured, but the "terrorists" have 9 lives and should stay filming after just for him being lazy to look for videos showing the destroyed tanks taken back for fixing or take useful parts.

[@Arcyamen]

Your friends got toasted inside lmao hard luck kiddo@@etaiavni4270

[@SaadHabib]

​@etaiavni4270 are they supposed to sit around and film it for you?

[@ultraelite143]

Merkava is my second favourite tank i just like that unique look

[@powkung45]

You didn't mention the greatest myth of all, that the Merkava is the greatest tank in the world

[@adamadler5411]

Only world of tanks can tell you that.

[@grogroleal4775]

mad?

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

I could see the eventual primary utility of the compartment being picking up whatever's left of the crew of a fellow tank that's gotten schwacked.

[@adamadler5411]

No space, and there are units in the army that are responsible for personnel recovery, In Judaism the body must be buried as soon as possible after death. If the crew is wounded but alive all units in the area will move to secure and if they are dead the same thing will happen. Soldiers are prioritized in Israel above equipment.

[@mig1739]

When you get trillions from the US every year ofc you can make your own tank. Greatest ally but yet never helped us in Afghanistan or Iraq or really any conflict ever and sunk one of our battleships.

[@easadawdshggdbvxsadfbgzzsaedfg]

Israel makes the united states money back.

[@Yujifanik]

@@easadawdshggdbvxsadfbgzzsaedfg still 34 trillion in debt, clearly it isn't much.

[@cuckholdsimulator1176]

"Trillions" 😭😭

[@speedandpower56]

Well it did sell the us some iron domes

[@zmss8537]

@@speedandpower56 the iron dome is an American system lol, its based on US patriots and Israel buys the missiles from US, or more like gets them for free now and maybe pay back later...maybe.

[@christopherwang4392]

If I recall correctly, the Merkava was designed with an emphasis on crew protection based on lessons from the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Israel lost many of its tank crewmen to rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

no, it was designed with an emphasis on restocking from a hull-down position due to difficulties doing so in the Golan heights, and being self-sufficient on isreali industry. the primary emphasis on crew safety is a myth, its a factor but not more so than any western country.

[@jacobdewey2053]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 There's already a lot of emphasis on crew safety in most western tanks (at least much more so than Soviet designs) so it would be difficult to place more emphasis on it without compromising some part of the design

[@trofchik9488]

There is a believe in my country that Merkava is designed with crew survivability in mind. Hence the front engine placement which protects the crew. Plus the rear door which is more safe to leave tank through than through top hatch. Plus the ammo not being stored inside the turret.

[@seemslegit6203]

Its a pretty cool looking tank tho, really unique and quite futuristic looking

[@AhmedAdel-hf3qm]

This aged very well 😂

[@rustyshaklford9557]

🔻

[@DanDan10101]

What aged? Merkava flattand half of gaza 😂 what is the name of the tank your 3 world country is producing? 😂

[@etaiavni4270]

wow videos of rpgs hitting tanks and always cutting out before the aftermath because they barely scratch it, so insane bro

[@rustyshaklford9557]

@@DanDan10101 My 3rd world country produces the Abrams.

[@DanDan10101]

@rustyshaklford9557 yeah the same way India is producing Suzuki.. you think Abraham's can withstand Kornet attack?

[@robiagacitei5487]

Can you maybe talk about what nation you think should be added next? And why that nation, and possibly some vehicles, ships and planes? I'd love it

[@interpl6089]

aaaand what do you know...the IDF actually uses the Merkava as an APC in Gaza today...

[@M109_KAWEST]

Spookston indirectly releasing secret documents by having spoken to former merkava crewmen

[@gefiltafish2187]

First accurate merkava review I’ve seen so far . Kudos. Mk iv was made in urban scenarios in mind btw. But honestly. It was not fully compatible to that until trophy system was integrated with it. Even the beefed up mkiv could not take a gen2 kornette from sides or rear after all. The current merkavas also act as a forward battle command unit, that coordinates with the ground soldiers around and in front of it. Providing much need fire support with the main cannon or mortar system. And also. The mk price per unit is very low in comparison. Less than 5 million per unit including trophy .

[@themeddite]

I think part of the Myth of the Merkava having Infantry seats is partly due to Arma 3. The NATO MBT is well a version of the Merkava.

[@amiryatziv7577]

There is a similarity to centurion in the angle of the hull side walls (on mark 1-3). This is the main reason why the "puma", the heavy APC which is a modified centurion tank, can be fitted with the suspension system off the mercava.

[@insertcringe2220]

So regarding this city combat thingy, during the merkavas first deployment, most of the casualties were caused by a rain of man held anti-tank rockets. The IDF decided to learn from it, and therefore to from the Mk. 2 onwards to equip the tank with additional protection against such threats. So to conclude a bit: it wasn't built for city combat, but much rather got upgrades along its production time to make it more survivable in such and similar situations ^^

[@spudmanwp]

War Thunder suffers a lot from the thought that thermals are blocked by engine exhaust. It took me less than 5 minutes of looking on you tube to find actual thermal footage of Bradley, Stryker, M1, and M60 exaust and as you said, it dissipates quickly and would not block the sight.

[@StrielokPLsz]

about thermals, we have SW-IR MW-IR and LW-IR, thermal region for solids is in in LW-IR, gas are mostly in MW-IR, so military thermals are cryocooled to archieve

[@finnzy2315]

Ah yes, the M2A1 Slammer

[@redactedname5038]

The thought of 4 patients and 1 medic made me shudder. God be with that medic lmao.

[@connorwinton4343]

Very impressive tank.

[@A-G-F-]

Here is a fact: the turret looks very cool

[@omarrp14]

I was hoping to hear mention of the mortar on the tank. I’ve heard of it just being for flares/Smoke/signals. But then I’ve heard people say they use it with frag/he too. Idk where it even is on there and how the person would operate it

[@dannykaplan7172]

its on the left side of the tank where the louder hatch is . the louder uses it. and yes they have he/frag rounds too

[@omarrp14]

@@dannykaplan7172 I found a video of it being fired. I could see how the mount would allow for up/down adjustment. But how does horizontal work, turret rotation? Also when would it be used and is it worth the space taken

[@dannykaplan7172]

@@omarrp14 the only way for horizontal use is by turret rotation, its really not worth that space that it takes. the only use that i can imaging that it will maybe help is the smoke rounds, because its not that accurate

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

With it you can ping infantry in cover! You dont need to soften a position with aux support, you can drop rounds and then move in., the same with smoke, you can help infantey beyond LOS or blind old tanks using regular night visión (not thermals)

[@MackieLevyn]

something about you saying "like it was a clown car" made me laugh so hard

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

3:50 Of course it is not a license produced M256 because the M256 is itself a license produced Rheinmetall Rh-120.

[@ZETH_27]

*!Strv 103!* A video like this discussing myths would be great for the 103 since many people seem to either praise it as a godly unkillable doorwedge of doom, or a clumsy, slow, fragile piece of cheese.

[@bavtie1]

I shall be using "doorwedge of doom" to describe this vehicle forever now

[@Notreallysureactually]

I just want people to stop calling it a tank destroyer.

[@diabeticalien3584]

I just discovered your channel and I wanna say I really like your videos :)

[@alikaraahmet5050]

İt sucks against organized armies

[@zortelno8951]

much like every single tank in the world

[@alikaraahmet5050]

I mean it have shit protection against KE projectiles which is not the case in Western and Russian tanks also being that large and having the engine in front is a very big downside it can only work against militias, or at least were believed to work, Hamas being raping them right now @@zortelno8951

[@thechlebek901]

​@@alikaraahmet5050according to who

[@JadeTTF]

​@@thechlebek901according to them of course

[@grogroleal4775]

its does amazing in 5 wars already, you missed thoses? lol! mad? loser :) ask every army in the world ?

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

If i remember correctly, the M256 is only availbile as License of the RHM120 L/44, not the L/55 Merkava also uses not the M256 but the RHM120 L/44 License/Adaptation

[@Shmuzznik]

The IMI 120mm guns are Israeli design, not RHM120 copy.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@Shmuzznik its not a 1:1 copy but design is based on the RHM120

[@Colonel_dinggus]

Why would’ve guessed that engine exhaust is air-cooled

[@derrickstorm6976]

There's literally nothing here that you haven't mentioned in earlier Merkava videos 😟

[@eli84360]

Thanks for reminding me to play Halo 3: ODST with that outro music

[@todorkolev7565]

"If you remove the ammo you could fit 4 stretchers and a medic" Namer designers: "hmm...."

[@FerrousAradicen]

Fun fact, the original design for the bradley was used for the namer which was also used for the merkava.

[@grogroleal4775]

hey another myth completely false trying to tell us how jews tanks are bad because jews :)

[@MisterCaprisun]

Hey spookston, I know you don't usually do vids like this, but could you take a peek into m60-2000's history, or lack thereof? it's an interesting design.

[@cloaker2829]

It that the m60 with Abrams turret

[@Abensberg]

4 stretchers and one medic? thats quite some room!

[@phantomsoldier497]

What most people doesn't understand is that a tank is designed according to the doctrine of the army that ordered it. The Merkava is suited for the Israeli doctrine based on their previous experiences and the possible war scenarios they face. Merkavas were designed to be a defensive hull-down tank with the backdoor used to keep the tank easily supplied with ammo and the frontal engine to provide more protection. I doubt the israeli expected their tanks to be encircled in battle since the rear protection is basically zero.

[@joseignaciohileradorna5122]

Im an M1296 crewman and I can tell you 100% exaust fumes wash out our thermal optics during gunnery.

[@ddarkon1223]

this tank gave me PTSD in 2006 I was still a kid it gives me nightmares fuck this tank

[@noahneuber4047]

Explain

[@highjumpstudios2384]

Tell us what happened luv

[@pepson2993]

Oh, are you Lebanese ?

[@ddarkon1223]

@@highjumpstudios2384 I was in my village (lebanon 2006 beblyeh) then outta nowhere a merkava comes there was an AA cannon near my aunt's house I was hanging around there it fired a shell and blew up allot of shit dust covered me and the walls of the house it destroyed the window during the explosion and of course the AA cannon

[@ddarkon1223]

@@pepson2993 eh yes

[@kertaspaper94]

Surprised YT put this on my feed today instead of a month ago

[@onizuka255]

WELL WELL WELL 🔻🔻🔻🚬🚬🚬🚬

[@etaiavni4270]

wow videos of rpgs hitting tanks and always cutting out before the aftermath because they barely scratch it, so insane bro

[@youssef9676]

barely scrach it lolll bro the tanks was literally destroyed@@etaiavni4270

[@SpaceLion79]

@@etaiavni4270 you are triggered that's why you copying and pasting same shit in ever comment

[@mohamedelhaddade6371]

​@@etaiavni4270😂😂 cope harder 😂..I drink your tears

[@dariusalias870]

​@@etaiavni4270merkava primitive tanks

[@RandomPerson-ob1hk]

The Poglin Last time he was asked that question he got pretty pissed so I'd assume he isn't. Hopefully..

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Thank for this, very informative and dissolve my belief in the APC capability.

[@ihero4673]

that's sad to know u know ppl who served in terrorist defence force

[@grogroleal4775]

you gonna do what because of this? rape innocent babies that have nothing to do with this? weak loser

[@martinshadowax7]

Merkava must be on the top 5 best looking tank. they look futuristic

[@zazzyboy8592]

Who made up the myth that thermals are distorted by the exhaust? Think of it as a mirage in the heat and you will understand why it doesn’t block the gunners sight. Let me explain, you can see the shimmers of the heat on a hot road but it disappears as you get closer. It is the same with thermals. The heat is too close to give off any thermal dancing in front of the sight. I used the CROW (exclusively with thermals btw) for years on the Stryker and never had an issue. Also, even as an Iraqi I must say I was captivated by the Merkava ever since I watched a documentary on it by Aljazeera. Ever since then I’ve been so jealous of them for having such a sexy tank. One can still admire the enemy and not be a sympathizer

[@user-nv9vi2os7y]

One if the greatest tanks today

[@just_one_opinion]

DRONE NPC HAS SPOKEN.

[@ddarkon1223]

*laughs in KORNET*

[@SilentButDudley]

@@ddarkon1223 The tank has APS and ERA all over the roofing and a ton of space armor to counter tandem warheads. It’s actually quite impressive.

[@IdoDekel-do7hh]

@@ddarkon1223 Laughs in Trophy APS

[@ddarkon1223]

@@SilentButDudley the new Kornet version counters them all long live Kornet defend our homelands

[@todorkolev7565]

The reason they don't use L55 is because they don't have room for the beefier mounting required.

[@jimmydesouza4375]

Saying that just because it doesn't normally carry troops, the idea that it can is a myth is kind of odd. Same thing applies to the Hind and the Havok, as an aside.

[@michaelno4756]

I always find it very weird that you can't see through the merkavas 60mm smokes with thermal. Doesn't that work on other ww2 smokes too? Would be such a unique mechanic.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

modern (meaning from the 80´s onwards) smoke grenades used by at least the Bundeswehr (and thus several other NATO partners for example) use IR blocking/obscuring compounds in their smoke.

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

VSS smoke does not protect from thermals (at least a couple ive seen)

[@michaelno4756]

@@nahuelleandroarroyo I know but ESS* is not as flexible in it's use and can in praktis only be used like this very passively.

[@BenyKarachun]

That 60mm smoke is white phosphorus, it'll melt through your bones, you cant see through it because its really hot

[@czxer6655]

Spookston deserves 1 million subs

[@MrMaximkozin]

Interesting stuff, never heard those myths, beside the Centurion chassis

[@BenyKarachun]

L44 is used instead of L55 because the Merkava operates in the hot desert, the longer L55 bends quicker and losses accuracy/zeroing in such a place.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

thats not really the case. The L/44 is used, because the need for an L/55 is not there, due to low tech threats in the region. It is unlikely that Merkava will face T90M, Leopard 2a5, M1a2 etc

[@lior_theboom]

Hot dessert is an over statement. In the hottest areas in summer it gets to a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius

[@ddarkon1223]

merkava is merkava

[@BenyKarachun]

@@lior_theboom Someone was never in the Negev desert, easily gets to 47 degrees celsius there in the summer

[@BenyKarachun]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 L44 was selected solely because of that reason, an L55 cannon wont survive for long in this area, L55 isnt much more expensive to either design or make, it wasnt a cost saving measure, and the L44 the Merkava uses is perfectly capable of fucking up every tank youve listed there,because of the tank rounds Israel uses.

[@keyfpenc11]

I've heard that long-range thermal cameras can't see heat really close to lense

[@cnlbenmc]

The Merk is supposedly fitted with much thicker Roof armor than basically any other MBTs. Relatively speaking anyways, but being 2-3 times thicker that 25mm isn't very much from a practical standpoint...

[@_Sami_H]

And here I thought this will either be a complete anti-Israel video basically a hate video or some video which overreacts and over bless (while it is pretty great it does have its flaws and weakness) the Israeli armed forces... instead it's one of the least Bias videos About any of the IDF tools I have seen in a while, nice video, fairly informative and pretty much completely natural, Thank you :)

[@vermas4654]

Meanwhile, I'm just thinking it's a cool looking tank.

[@VarenvelDarakus]

its time you should cover Bob simple tank