"Fans of the Israeli-modified Sherman... will be pleased to know that this model has now come"

<full review here>
- Frank V. De Sisto

A major post-war user of the Sherman, Israel significantly upgraded many Shermans to produce what some commentators consider the ultimate Sherman, the M51 Isherman. Armed with a CN105 105mm gun (also known as the M51 in Israeli service), which was derived from the gun used in the French AMX-30 MBT, it had considerable firepower. The first conversions were undertaken in 1962, using M4A1 hulls and the rebuild program extended to fitting diesel engines. These tanks saw combat in the Arab-Israeli wars and were in service until the 1990s.

This new Dragon release extends the Premium Edition range to the Sherman family and provides a significantly improved version of the previously desirable M51 Isherman, which now includes multi-media features, such as optional photo etch and a metal barrel; and incorporates improvements from recent WWII Sherman releases such as the retooled hull, HVSS suspension and use of slide-molding.

This kit, which has over 700 parts and comes with gatefold instructions that have 18 steps of well laid out line drawings.

Turret
The turret has the distinctive profile of the rebuilt Israeli Shermans and features the surface casting texture, the roof casting number and weld marks. The M51’s gun has the choice of a metal or plastic tube, and has an injection plastic muzzle break with distinctive flanges and a two piece dust cover over the mantlet which captures the fabric’s fold nicely. The commander’s cupola has clear periscopes, while the searchlight has a clear lens but you may want to add the power cable from thin wire. Other features include a turret top pedestal mounted 0.50 M2 machine gun that is slide molded and photo etch for varying turret details including the tops and chains of the smoke launchers. As with other Dragon Shermans all hatches can be assembled open or closed and many small details such as lifting points, and aerial bases are crisply molded separate parts.

Hull
The main upper hull is one large piece that features the surface casting texture and curved front corners of the M4A1, while the engine deck has the revised layout of the upgraded Israeli tanks. Separate parts are provided for the hatches on the engine deck (curbside model) as well as numerous fittings. The Isherman had a considerable amount of externally mounted stowage including several boxes, fuel canisters (jerry cans) and spare wheels. The axe and spanner have the attachment points molded on, although the spade has a PE bracket. Optional PE is provided for the jerry can racks, the clasps for these racks, headlight guards, muffler shroud, and side fenders and their stays, headlight guards and engine deck fittings all of which are quite visible and good choices for using PE.

The tracks are the T80 pattern as recently introduced in the M4A3 (105mm) HVSS Sherman. The main track is a single length of Dragon Styrene, while the guide horns are separate pieces that fit into holes on the main track. This approach allows for the guide horns to have the open centers and holes on the top, although it will take longer than standard one-piece tracks, but should be simpler than traditional separate link tracks. The DS main track has good detail, no protrusions and was free from distortion.

The multipart HVSS bogies have hollow metal cylinders for the upper horizontal tubes and optional metal springs, and can be made workable with care. The rubber tyres are separate parts that offer flexibility for painting. There is a choice of two patterns of drive sprockets (‘fancy smooth’ and 'solid simple plate'), both of which are recent toolings.

Markings
The Cartograf decal sheet has markings for an Isherman from the Zippori Brigade in the Sinai during the 1967 Six Day War. Four views are provided for this specific tank and the decal sheet includes some generic Israeli registration markings and a second set of specific registration markings. This is for Isherman number ‘816208 – V-‘ which in photos has spare tracks (part F13) rather than smoke launchers mounted on the turret and the registration number stenciled on the corner of the front hull near the left headlamp.

Recommendation

Dragon’s upgrading of the M51 Isherman to incorporate the Premium Edition series features such as the metal tracks and expanded PE options, along with the improved Sherman tooling of recent releases has produced an impressive and comprehensive kit. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord

"... anyone who did not get one the first time around will want to pick this one up ..."

<full review here>
- Cookie Sewell