M-50/M-51 Isherman (Super Sherman) History

After World War II, the newly formed State of Israel became one of the many beneficiaries of America's surplus of M4 Sherman medium tanks. These fought alongside other WW2 era parts during the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, and due to this experience, Sherman has been continually modified/modernized to meet the growing demands of the Israeli military.

Over time, the series is on track again and should be modernized again.

After inspecting the new French AMX-13 light tank in person in 1953, the Israelis chose the vehicle's gun - the 75mm CN 75-50 - to be installed on the existing M4 Sherman tanks On the hull, this is the standard tank of the Israeli army at the same time. With the help of France, it was modified and a pilot vehicle was formed in 1956.

After the necessary trials, the "Super Sherman" went into mass production and the vehicle was named Sherman "M-50" - known locally (unofficially). As "Isheman".

The first 50 cars were built on the chassis and body of the M4A4 Sherman production model with original VVSS suspension and Continental R-975 gasoline engine. After the tanks were found to be overweight and their engines were taxed, the rest of the line switched to wide-gauge HVSS suspension and a non-flammable 460-horsepower Cummins V-8 diesel engine.

About 300 M-50 tanks were produced by 1964.

Another offshoot of this Sherman line is the M-51 "Isherman", which follows the same basic concept - albeit with a 105mm F1 model of French origin (which greatly increases the Sherman's firepower) ). The Sherman M4A1 production model has been combined with a Cummins diesel engine/HVSS suspension system from the start. The M-51 was introduced in 1965.

M-50 tanks were first used against Egyptian forces in the Sinai Peninsula in October 1956. The car performed so well that it later joined the M-51 family in the Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Although it originated from World War II, the design rivals more modern armor such as the Soviet T-54/55 main battle tank and the anti-aircraft T-34 medium tank.

This route operated until the 1980s.

Some of the used Israeli stocks were sold to the Chilean army, and the remaining tanks in the Israeli army stocks ended their days in a supporting role, often without weapons and turrets.

M-50/M-51 Isherman (Super Sherman) Specification

Basic

Year:
1956
Staff:
5
Manufacturing:
State Factory - Israel/France
Production:
480 units

Roles

- Infantry Support

- Tank vs Tank

- Front

Dimensions

Length:

5.85m

Width:

8.60 ft (2.62 m)

Height:

2.75m

Weight:

43 tons (39,000 kg; 85,980 lb)

Performance

1 x Continental gasoline engine (M-50) or 1 x 460 hp Cummins V8 diesel engine.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

35 km/h

Maximum range:

168 miles (270 km)

Armor

1 x 75mm CN 75-50 gun (M-50) or 1 x 105mm F1 gun (M-51).

1 x 7.62mm machine gun, coaxial to the turret.

1 x 7.62mm machine gun in bow mount position.

Ammo:

Not available.

Changes

M-50 - M4A4 Sherman with French 75mm 75-50 VVSS gun and HVSS mount.

M-51 - M4A1 Sherman with French 105mm Modele F1 gun; HVSS suspension.

"Isherman" - Super Sherman nickname (unofficial).

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