Re: Tamiya Sherman How could they have got it so wrong
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:52 pm
Hi,
Trouble is, Tamiya have had it all their own way for too long. Now that the Chinese are starting to produce better and better quality tanks I suspect they are beginning to wake up, hence the re-release of some of the 1/25 models.
For the benefit of Keith (Rocketman) and his Israeli Sherman I managed to find some info on designations. I think it is accurate, but you can never be too sure because it came from one of the IDF sites!
IDF Sherman Designations
Sherman
Any model of Sherman fitted with the WW1 Krupp 75mm field gun to replace the original destroyed in post-WW2 scrapping.
M-1
Any model of Sherman fitted with the 76mm gun
M1 Super Sherman
The Israeli designation for any Sherman fitted with the 76mm gun and HVSS
M-3
Any model of Sherman fitted with the 75mm gun
M-4
Any model of Sherman fitted with the 105mm Howitzer
M-50
Any model of Sherman fitted with the French 75mm high velocity gun in counterweighted turret. Later ones had the engines replaced with Cummins Diesels. First few available October 1956. Sometimes called the Super Sherman (but never in Israel)
M51
HVSS Sherman fitted with shortened French 105mm gun in improved
(T23) turret with large counterweight. All had diesel engines fitted
Sometimes called the Isherman (but never in Israel). Confusingly, also known as the Super Sherman
M-60/M-61
Upgunned versions of the M-50 & M-51 fitted with the Israeli 60mm HVMS gun. All had been sold to Chile by 1984, where they remained in front line service till 1989.
By the way, the story of the first 3 (French built prototype) M50s and how they got to Israel is quite interesting. Apparently they were disembarked secretly from landing craft at night onto a deserted beach !
Peter
Trouble is, Tamiya have had it all their own way for too long. Now that the Chinese are starting to produce better and better quality tanks I suspect they are beginning to wake up, hence the re-release of some of the 1/25 models.
For the benefit of Keith (Rocketman) and his Israeli Sherman I managed to find some info on designations. I think it is accurate, but you can never be too sure because it came from one of the IDF sites!
IDF Sherman Designations
Sherman
Any model of Sherman fitted with the WW1 Krupp 75mm field gun to replace the original destroyed in post-WW2 scrapping.
M-1
Any model of Sherman fitted with the 76mm gun
M1 Super Sherman
The Israeli designation for any Sherman fitted with the 76mm gun and HVSS
M-3
Any model of Sherman fitted with the 75mm gun
M-4
Any model of Sherman fitted with the 105mm Howitzer
M-50
Any model of Sherman fitted with the French 75mm high velocity gun in counterweighted turret. Later ones had the engines replaced with Cummins Diesels. First few available October 1956. Sometimes called the Super Sherman (but never in Israel)
M51
HVSS Sherman fitted with shortened French 105mm gun in improved
(T23) turret with large counterweight. All had diesel engines fitted
Sometimes called the Isherman (but never in Israel). Confusingly, also known as the Super Sherman
M-60/M-61
Upgunned versions of the M-50 & M-51 fitted with the Israeli 60mm HVMS gun. All had been sold to Chile by 1984, where they remained in front line service till 1989.
By the way, the story of the first 3 (French built prototype) M50s and how they got to Israel is quite interesting. Apparently they were disembarked secretly from landing craft at night onto a deserted beach !
Peter