I have a question-what's keeping me from converting my Tamiya sherman into an IDF Super Sherman? I have a set of parts to build a Sherman M-105 and convert it into a 75mm cannon version. Ialso have the upper hull of a Mato Sherman (still looking for another one of these! Will pay ca$h!). IALSObought an aluminum Super Sherman gun barrel on a whim one day. So what's keeping me from taking the Tamiya lower hull and electronics (Ihave the Pershing electronics and a recoil kit, BTW, and Iknow the sound isn't quite right), mating it to the Mato hull, and chopping up the turret and adding the gunbarrelto make a Super Sherman? I'd like to the the community's opinion as to whether this is actually feasable (or at all correct). Iknow the details and fittings will need love, but I have plenty of skills to accomplish this. Ialso have a Dragon Models 1/35 scale kit and an IDF Sherman book for reference, so I'm not scared of gross detail errors. So here's my questions in particular:

-The IDF M-51 Super Shermans (misnamed, Iknow!) used the HVSS suspension like the Tamiya kit, right?
-The Mato M4 body is appropriate and correct for at least ONE M-51, right? Ithink I've seen that picture, and the Dragon kit hull matches the Mato kit, but Iwant to be sure.
-The turret is basically the turret that comes in the Tamiya kit with the bustle cut off and a new shape welded on, right? Ihave the Dragon kit directions for the plan views of this...

Ok, and my first actual question:
-Is the mantlet on the M-51 pretty much the one that comes on the Mato sherman (76mm cannon type), but with a larger tube to accomodate that whacking great gun? So Icould just copy it from the Mato version (again, not too difficult for me) and use it? I am also certain Ican produce a muzzle deflector with my jewelry making and soldering skills.

Lastly:
-Any advice, help, or offers of parts (again, I'll pay!)?

Any advice, encouragement, help, pictures, drawings, ANYthing that'd help, I'd love to see posted! Thanks guys, and happy tanking!


Andrew

Oh, and what are people's opinions of the Tamiya Super Sherman kit turret? Good, bad, ugly? Just curious, may save me alot of time...

Andrew, you are correct..ALL M-51s used the HVVS, as the VVSS suspension didn't have the stability to support the larger gun etc.
With the 105mm turret, you will have to build a mantlet extension due to the turret being too short for the long recoil system of the
D-1504 gun. The T-23 turret was modified but used the same mantlet(gun shield) with a larger projection. Most M-51s were made with the T-23 turret due to the hassle with modifications and space of the 105 turret.
If you don't have it, Thomas Gannons "Isreali Sherman" by Darlington Publications covers the M-3, M-1 Super, M-50 and M-51 developements in detail. On one of my M-51s, I use a rubber glove for the mantlet cover....allows movement and looks good.
Here's both of my M-51s to show diff. That rear projection is a lot of work, regardless of using a block of resin or sheet styrene but the MB isn't really that bad. The M-51 with Gimmel (ג) is a model of one of the last turned in by Gen Kahalani and had the cal 50 on the main gun with a cal 30 and a 60mm mortar on the turret. The weld, wire to IR and MB have been improved since these photos were made. Hardly any two M-50 or M-51s were exactly the same. they were modified with available parts as they came in, using materials fro many different tanks. Early ones had spare tracks on the sponsons near the driver, but later had them on the turret...not both places and there were variations on many of the sponson stowage boxes with a few having the bin on the rear.. Hope this helps, good luck.

That's a lot of great help, PC, thanks! Ithink I'm going to build up my Mato top hull to be a Super Sherman, but not until Iget my Tamiya Sherman up and running. I was going to build a TaMato, but Ilove the M51 too much! Still wondering what opinion tankers have of the Tamiya M51 turret and muzzle break. Whenever (if ever) Iget this done I'll post pics here. Happy tanking!


Andrew

My efforts

http://desertarmor.com/DAK_PROJECTS/ISHERMAN_M-51.html

Andrew, considering the work envolved, you may want to order the Tammy M-51 turret. It looks good, it's just many things on the chassis that Tamiya screwed up. Here are some views from two M-51 models, one A1 and one A3 chassis.

The one in darker French OD (א= Alef) is an older Tammy bottom with MATO upper. The two chassis match up easy. Both are great looking tanks to model. Good luck. Bill