Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

Sherman M-50



Overview


Sherman M-50

Sherman M-50 Bet tanks in the field.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Israel
France
Type
Main battle tank
Entered service
1956
Status
Obsolete
Development
1954 - 1955
Developer
France - (first 25 vehicles)
Israel
Production
1956 - 1959 (M-50 Alef)
1960 - 1962 (M-50 Bet)
Producer
France
Israel
Number produced
~50 to 75 M-50 Alef
>100 M-50 Bet
Designations
Super Sherman (incorrect but often used foreign nickname)
Sherman M-50 Alef / Continental / Mark I
Sherman M-50 Bet / Cummins / Mark II
Notable users
Israel
Lebanon

Description


Introduction

The Sherman M-50 is an early Cold War era main battle tank of Israeli origin. It was developed in the mid 1950's in cooperation with France. The goal was to up-gun and modernize Israeli 75mm Sherman tanks which were becoming obsolete. The design and initial production clandestinely took place in France, with most conversions carried out in Israel.

Design

The Sherman M-50 is a modification of existing Sherman tanks with the short barrel 75mm gun. The turret mantlet is enlarged and fitted with the French high velocity 75mm SA 50 gun. A cast rear bustle is added to increase space within the turret. Early model Sherman M-50 were mostly based on the M4A4 model re-engined with the Continental R-975 and retaining the older style VVSS suspension. About two-third of the production is based on the M4A3 Sherman with a turbocharged Cummins engine, the improved HVSS suspension and wider tracks.

Firepower

The high velocity 75mm SA 50 is the main goal of the Sherman M-50 conversion program. The French SA 50 cannon was inspired by the long barrel 75mm gun of the Panther tank and is also used on the AMX-13 light tank. On the Sherman M-50 it is manually loaded and has a maximum rate of fire of up to 10 rpm. The 1.000 m/s muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory make this cannon far superior to the short barrel 75mm M3 in the anti-armor role, especially at longer ranges. Additionally three .30 M1919A4 machine guns and a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun are fitted.

Protection

The Sherman M-50 is based on the welded angular hull M4A4 Sherman. The turret and transmission housing are cast steel. While adequate during World War 2, the level of protection became somewhat lacking in the early Cold War era. However, the Sherman M-50 does provide a far higher protection level than the AMX-13 light tank. The large silhouette of the Sherman remains a drawback.

Mobility

The Sherman is known as a reliable tank with a quite decent off road performance. The early model Sherman M-50 were re-engined with the Continental R-975 radial gasoline engine. This is one of the better Sherman engines, but with an increased weight mobility in desert conditions proved to be lacking. Later model Sherman M-50 were fitted with a 460 hp turbocharged diesel engine, HVSS suspension and wider tracks. These proved to have a much increased tactical mobility. Top speed is rather low at 42 km/h with the Cummins engine.

Users

The main user of the Sherman M-50 was the Israel Defense Force. These were used during various conflicts. These include the 1956 Suez Crisis, 1967 Six Day war and in second-line service in the 1973 Yom Kippur war. The M-50 proved suitable against the T-34/85, but not the newer T-54, T-55 and T-62. About 75 were distributed to various Lebanese factions in the mid and late 1970's. Chile acquired 50 Sherman M-50 that were modified to Sherman M-60 standard with 60mm HVMS guns.

Variants


Sherman M-50 Degem Alef

Initial production model, first produced in 1956 in France and later also in Israel. Most are based on M4A4 hulls refitted with the Continental R-975 radial engine of the M4 and M4A1 Sherman. These hulls are known in M4A4T (Transformé) in France. Reportedly some of the initial French batch of about 25 conversions included a hodgepodge of M4A1, M4 and composite hull M4 Sherman tanks. The early model Sherman M-50 is also referred to as M-50 Continental and M-50 Mark I in international sources. In Israeli service it was called Sherman M-50 Alef (Degem Alef = Model A).

Sherman M-50 Degem Bet

Improved production model of the Sherman M-50, first produced in 1960. Known internationally as the Sherman M-50 Cummins or Mark II. These are based on the M4A3 Sherman (large hatch) hull, are fitted with a more powerful US produced Cummins VT-8-460 turbocharged diesel engine and have the HVSS suspension and wider tracks.

Details


Facts Sherman M-50 Bet
General
Origin
Israel
Type
Main battle tank
Crew
5 (commander, driver, gunner, bow gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
Over 36 t combat load
34.5 t empty
Length
6.15 m hull
8 m gun forward
Width
2.42 m
Height
3 m
Main armament
Type
75mm SA 50
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
62 shells, 12 ready to fire
Traverse
360°
Rate of fire
Up to 10 rpm
Coaxial armament
Type
.30 M1919A4 machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
4.750 rounds in total
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Bow armament
Type
.30 M1919A4 machine gun
Mount
Bow gun mounted in hull front
Ammunition
4.750 rounds in total
Traverse
Frontal arc
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition
600 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Secondary armament
Type
.30 M1919A4 machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition
4.750 rounds in total
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Layout
Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Track width
0.58 m
Track on ground
3.37 m
Tread
2.26 m
Ground pressure
0.82 kg/cm²
Suspension
HVSS
Automotive
Engine model
Cummins VT-8-460
Engine type
Turbocharged diesel
Power output
460 hp
Transmission
Improved French transmission system
Fuel
606 L
Mobility
Speed
42 km/h, possibly up to 50 km/h
Range
300 km on road
Turn radius
19 m
Power to weight ratio
About 12.7 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.4 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
2.3 m
Gradient
60 %
Fording
0.9 m
Protection
Armor type
Welded steel hull
Cast turret, cast transmission housing
Armor thickness
51 mm at 56° hull front
38 mm hull sides
19 mm hull top
70 mm turret mantlet
76mm turret front
51 mm turret sides and rear
NBC system
No
Smoke system
2x2 80mm smoke grenade dischargers
Equipment
Night vision
No
Radio
Yes

Media


Subcomponents


AMX-13/75

The Sherman M-50 uses the same 75mm SA 50 cannon as uses in the AMX-13 light tank. Unlike the AMX-13 the 75mm gun is manually loaded on the Sherman M-50.

Browning M2HB

A single 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted on a pintle mount on the roof. This can be operated by either the loader or the commander.

Browning M1919

Three .30 M1919A4 machine guns are fitted. One as a bow gun, one as a coaxial machine gun and one on a pintle mount on the roof. These were eventually converted to 7.62mm NATO during their service life.