Airfix 1/72 US Sheridan Tank WW2 (02311)

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Airfix 1/72 US Sheridan Tank WW2 (02311)
The M-551 Sheridan armoured reconnaissance vehicle currently in US Army service, is unique among the world's tanks in that it fires Shillelagh guided missiles as well as conventional shells from its 152mm gun/launcher.

Designed in 1959 to replace M-41 and M-56 tanks then in American army service, the Sheridan has an air-transportable and amphibious capability and production began in 1966 at the Cleveland Tank-Automotive Plant. Aluminium is employed for the hull, engine transmission and radiator to cut down weight, and to sustain the type in water a flotation screen attached to the hull can be erected with the tracks providing propulsion. Eight smoke dischargers are fixed to the turret and infra-red equipment is attached to the mantlet.
Sheridans first saw active service in 1969, when several of the early production machines were sent to Vietnam; still suffering from some design weaknesses, and not ideally suited to the jungle terrain of that theatre, it soon gained a poor reputation.
However, strenuous efforts to improve its shortcomings saw the type achieve some notable successes before its withdrawal from Vietnam at the end of 1971. Lessons learnt in Vietnam enabled the Sheridan to be fully developed into a very effective vehicle, and they have subsequently given valuable combat service in Operation 'Just Cause' in Panama in 1989 and Operation 'Desert Storm' in Saudi Arabia in 1991. Following withdrawal from active service, some 300 Sheridans were given a new and unusual role - that of 'look-a-like' modern Soviet armour for use by the Army's National Training Centre in the Californian desert! The kit represents the early model Sheridan, armament comprising ten Shillelaghs and 20 conventional rounds as well as two machine guns - a .50in and a 7.62mm. A 300hp GM 6V53T engine gave the Sheridan a road speed of 43.5mph and a range of 373 miles. Weight loaded: 33,518lb. Length: 20ft 8in.

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