Can anyone out there help me out?

[Yellowshaker]

I really like the way you did that HSerman. I guess I will use the Pershin electrics for mine as well, so I can make a recoiling fll option killer lol. I think this is going to be a fun build.

[fv432]

Hi yellowshaker drop ian (Plasticscouser) a pm as he is doing an m51 at the moment
pcomm1 is correct the latter picture is of the m51 and a later model using the later suspension

the m50 is the one your after and is the one shown in your pic

heres another with the one you want in the top left and a m51 in the top right

[fv432]

Heres a good reference site http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m51_sherman.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Yellowshaker]

That pic is the exact tank I posted from a different angle. Thanks for that. That is what I needed to see and any other pics of the tank are appreciated as well. I would loike to find some history on it too but I came up dry.

[BigPanzer]

Looks like you are going through the same sort of torture I went through a few years ago trying to sort out types of Israeli Shermans! There are two problems here - the first being the fact that the designations change depending what country you are in and the second being that many of the early Israeli tanks were obtained either second hand or rebuilt from scrap vehicles obtained from Europe.
If you are trying to get info on the early IDF tanks (1948 - mid 60's) you will have problems because of all the different permutations of power unit, suspension, turret type, engine deck and guns used, but the later Shermans are easier to categorize and find info on.

The best sources of info I found were the IDF websites.

What I did find was some references to 3 very early French built Shermans supplied secretly to Israel just prior to Operation Kadesh equipped with HVSS suspension, Continental engines and the 75mm long barrelled Panther based gun from the AMX. Very interesting, but no pictures! Were these the prototypes for the M50? Highly likely. But then most of the Continental engines were replaced by diesel engines so there is yet another change!

I wish I could help you in your search for more info on IDF Shermans. Its a fascinating subject and the more I dug the more (sometimes contradictory) information turned up and the more confused I became. Unfortunately I lost most of the info I had when my hard drive failed.

Something else you might find interesting is to read some of the battle reports from Op. Kadesh from both the Israeli and Egyptian accounts and see how they differ!

Good luck with your Mato. I've been through the information jungle just as you are doing now and I only wish I still had the results of hours and hours of research!

Cheers

Peter

[Yellowshaker]

Thanks Peter, very nice to know I'm not alone here. I have a couple of guys trying to help me out and seems they are encountering exactly what you said...they are finding contradictory information and gtting me confused a bit. If all else fails I am simply going to build it from the pics I have and it will be whatever it is lol. I like that tank...It jumped out at me while searching through pics, so that's the one I'll build.

[BigPanzer]

When you come to paint it, you will probably find just as much difficulty trying to get the right colour too. The one in the pic is a museum re-paint, don't take it as accurate for the period. Also, don't rely too much on colour pics - I found photos where the colour was awful!
Eventually I gave up trying to match the exact colour and mixed up some Light Stone (British desert colour) and Olive Drab till it looked about right.

If you think the IDF tanks are difficult to research, try getting info on exactly what the Czeck built T34/85's supplied to Egypt in 1956 looked like! The Egyptians are very secretive about colours and markings, even half a century later.

Do post some pics of your Sherman as it progresses - everybody loves pics on here.

All the best

Peter

[Yellowshaker]

You brpought up another great point. I have already started to research paint and so far I have found that the correct color would be desert sand...but try to find it..no one has it that I have come across. I may do what you said and try mixing my own color for it if I have to. I'd rather to have a solid color to work with as it would be easier if touching up is needed later....

[fv432]

Peter is correct on all fronts on this one the early idf shermans are fun to say the least

and the color is Sinai Grey but if you can find a decent colour reference then in sending some bits your way for painting

every pallet ive ever seen on the subject is different

you seem to have the right attitude "sod it ill do it my way"

[[ICE]monkey]

on the plus side, if theres not much info or pics on the tank you want to build, youve got more scope on how it ends up , as no one can pick you up