Tanks & SPGs

In early 1944 the British finally decided to back Tito's Partizans. In July they helped form the 1st Tank Brigade at Bari on the Italian Adriatic coast, supplying 56 Stuart Mk.III along with 9 AEC Armoured Cars. These subsequently saw action with the Yugoslav 4th Army after landing at Dubrovnik. In November, after taking Sibenik, a number of German vehicles and weapons were captured including a PaK40 and several 20mm Flakvierlings. A Brigade mechanic called Viajko is credited with carrying out the first conversion on a Stuart V. The Flakvierlings were also mounted onto Stuart Vs with 4 known to be converted.

Israel began development of an up-gunned Sherman in 1954. 75mm guns bought from France were used and the resulting vehicle entered service in 1956, designated as the Sherman M-50. Often (incorrectly) referred to as the “Super Sherman”, they remained in service until 1972. Early vehicles were supplied to Israel with Continental gasoline engines and VVSS suspension, but the heavier gun combined with the narrow track width over-stressed the engine. Later vehicles (the subject of this model) were fitted with Cummins V8 diesel engine and HVSS with wider tracks.

Israel began development of an up-gunned Sherman in 1954. 75mm guns bought from France were used and the resulting vehicle entered service in 1956, designated as the Sherman M-50. Often (incorrectly) referred to as the “Super Sherman”, they remained in service until 1972. Early vehicles were supplied to Israel with Continental gasoline engines and VVSS suspension, but the heavier gun combined with the narrow track width over-stressed the engine. Later vehicles (the subject of this model) were fitted with Cummins V8 diesel engine and HVSS with wider tracks.

Israel began development of an up-gunned Sherman in 1954. 75mm guns bought from France were used and the resulting vehicle entered service in 1956, designated as the Sherman M-50. Often (incorrectly) referred to as the “Super Sherman”, they remained in service until 1972. Early vehicles supplied to Israel had Continental gasoline engines and VVSS suspension, but the heavier gun combined with the narrow track width over-stressed the engine. Later vehicles were fitted with Cummins V8 diesel engine and HVSS with wider tracks. The “Super Sherman M-1” designation was given to the M4A1 with the 76mm M1 gun and HVSS.

Although one of the finest tanks of WWII, by the 1960s, the T-34/85 was becoming outclassed by more modern tanks. Egypt produced several variants to address the deficiency, the most powerful of which was the T-34/122. After removal of the gun, the turret of the T34/85 was cut away in order to permit installation of a Soviet 122 mm D-30 howitzer. Flat plating was built up on the sides, rear and top to provide protection for the crew, resulting in the curiously-shaped turret. The T-34/122 entered service with the Egyptian infantry division anti-tank battalions in the late 1960s. It saw action in the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and was retired shortly afterwards. We have found it difficult to find historical information about this vehicle, so please accept our apologies for any inaccuracies above.

The Sho’t Kal was a Centurion Mk.5 series tank modernised by the IDF with a Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine and Allison CD850-6 transmission.