Mario,

According to Gannon, he Cummins Diesels started arriving in early 1960 and went to uprading M-50s. Many 51s ran with radials and were upgraded as diesels were available and both operated side by side until 1965 when most 51s had the Cummins installed. Early 51s were built on A1 HVVS chassis and T-23 turrets using the 105s designed for the French AMX 30 and shortened to adapt to the T-23 turret and delivered for issue in July 1962. IDF history is confusing and no specific date is avalable when the M-51s got the Cummins diesels but by 65, most not all, were upgraded. Some M-51s were built from highly modified M-4A3 HVVS 76mm Shermans received in 1956 but most were from A1s. A few were made form 105 HVSS models but major mods to the turret had to be made to include an extension for the mantlet.

Tamiya's major flaws were in the ad hoc spare track stowage both on sponson and turret which is totally incorrect and the fact they they totally ignored the huge gun travel lock that dominates the rear deck and no cover was avalable for the horn guard. Sponson stowage was not uniform and different shops made them different, but Tamiya's M-51 did not resemble any M-51 from early or late production model and adding the Super Sherman monicer for sales appeal was dumb. .

Good luck on the prototype.