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The Sherman M-50 and the Sherman M-51, both known abroad as the Super Sherman, were modified versions of the American M4 Sherman tank that served with the Israel Defense Forces from the mid-1950s to early 1980s. The M-51 was also referred to as the Isherman (i.e. Israeli Sherman). However, the designations "Super Sherman" and "Isherman" were never used by the Israeli Defense Forces. ==History== In 1953, an Israeli delegation visited France to examine the new AMX 13 light tank. The tank was armed with the high-velocity 75 mm gun ''CN 75-50''. While the gun was satisfactory, the armor of the French tank was considered too light. Eventually, Israel did purchase the AMX 13, however in a parallel development it was decided to graft the powerful French gun onto the available, familiar and better-armored hull of the American M4 Sherman, the standard tank of the IDF armored units in the early 1950s.〔Givati, p. 82-85.〕 The project started in 1954, and in 1955 a prototype turret was sent from France to Israel.〔Givati, pp. 83-84.〕 In March 1956 Israeli Ordnance Corps facilities started to convert tanks, using guns received from France.〔Granovskiy, ''Names, Designations and Service Figures of IDF Armored Vehicles''.〕 The gun was known in Israel as the ''M-50'' and as a result the upgunned Sherman was designated Sherman M-50.〔 The M-50 was similar to the Sherman Firefly in that it had the original turret of the smaller type (as used by the 75 mm gun M3 armed Shermans), which was fitted with a large counterweight at the rear end. The first 50 units were based on M4A4 hulls, had a Continental R-975 gasoline engine and VVSS suspension. However, the increased weight of the vehicle combined with narrow tracks led to poor off-road mobility. It was also putting too much strain on the engine, resulting in frequent mechanical failures. Consequently, for the rest of the conversions, hulls fitted with HVSS suspension and Cummins V-8 diesel engine were adopted.〔Givati, p. 105-108〕 These subvariants were sometimes referred to as the M-50 Continental and M-50 Cummins. Diesel engines were also preferred since diesel fuel is less flammable than gasoline, which factors into battlefield survivability.〔Givati, p.45〕 In total, about 300 M-50s were built by 1964 (though it's possible that this number includes 120 155 mm self-propelled guns on Sherman chassis, also designated M-50).〔 The same gun was also fitted to a number of M10 Wolverine tank destroyers.〔Givati, p.106〕 In the 1960s, 180 Sherman tanks received the even more powerful French 105 mm Modèle F1 gun. The barrel length of the gun was reduced from 56 caliber to 44 and equipped with a muzzle brake; ammunition was altered to use a smaller cartridge. In Israel the gun was designated ''M-51'' and the tank the Sherman M-51. M4A1 hulls and the larger T23 turrets (from 76 mm armed Shermans) were used for the conversion. All tanks were fitted with Cummins diesel engines and HVSS suspension. The tank was displayed to the public for the first time during the Independence Day ceremony in 1965.〔Givati, pp. 109-110, p.123.〕 Abroad the M-50 was known as ''Super Sherman'' (the "Continental" variant as Mark I and the "Cummins" variant as Mark II) and the M-51 as either ''Super Sherman'' or ''Isherman'' (i.e. ''Israeli Sherman''). These designations were never used in Israel. The only tank model designated Super Sherman by the IDF was M4A1 with 76 mm M1 gun and HVSS suspension, which was named ''Super Sherman M-1''.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Super Sherman」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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