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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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M551 SHERIDAN "GULF WAR" (Academy)
bat-213
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Canada
Joined: December 30, 2011
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 10:22 AM UTC
that is a very cool build ,thanks for shareing .
JSSVIII
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: March 28, 2007
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 11:03 AM UTC
Really nice job, great build!
Klaus-Adler
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MODELGEEK
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Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: June 08, 2015
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 12:39 PM UTC
I thought academy only produced a Vietnam era m551 Sheridan. I didn't know that they made a gulf war version...also I thought the gulf war Sheridan had smoke discharges fitted on the front portion of the turret?
Kevlar06
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Joined: March 15, 2009
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 01:02 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I thought academy only produced a Vietnam era my 51 Sheridan. I didn't know that they made a gulf war version...also I thought the gulf war Sheridan had smoke discharges fitted on the front portion of the turret?



David, Academy makes two versions-- a Vietnam version with the early coupula and cargo rack, and the late version (which is what this one is) from the 1st Gulf War (ODS). They both have the grenade launchers, which you can see on this model as a small "quad" set of four mounted on the lower side of the forward turret. The Vietnam Version has the more familiar four single launchers along the bottom edge of the forward turret that you are thinking of. As a former Sheridan commander, I've always been frustrated that Academy didn't manufacture the "mid" life Sheridan with the commanders slab armor "teacup" (that's what we called it) laser range finder, and the older cargo rack. If you wanted one of those, you'd need to buy both the "Vietnam" and "ODS" kits and combine the two. Still waiting for someone to produce the 1975-80 version we had in the 11th ACR in Germany-- that's the one I believe you are thinking about right?
VR, Russ
Klaus-Adler
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MODELGEEK
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 04:12 PM UTC

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I thought academy only produced a Vietnam era my 51 Sheridan. I didn't know that they made a gulf war version...also I thought the gulf war Sheridan had smoke discharges fitted on the front portion of the turret?



David, Academy makes two versions-- a Vietnam version with the early coupula and cargo rack, and the late version (which is what this one is) from the 1st Gulf War (ODS). They both have the grenade launchers, which you can see on this model as a small "quad" set of four mounted on the lower side of the forward turret. The Vietnam Version has the more familiar four single launchers along the bottom edge of the forward turret that you are thinking of. As a former Sheridan commander, I've always been frustrated that Academy didn't manufacture the "mid" life Sheridan with the commanders slab armor "teacup" (that's what we called it) laser range finder, and the older cargo rack. If you wanted one of those, you'd need to buy both the "Vietnam" and "ODS" kits and combine the two. Still waiting for someone to produce the 1975-80 version we had in the 11th ACR in Germany-- that's the one I believe you are thinking about right?
VR, Russ



Yes that's the one I was thinking of, thanks for the clarification. Great work by the way, I really need to build the ones I have in my stash.
4egevara
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Vladimir, Russia
Joined: November 20, 2010
KitMaker: 209 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 04:46 PM UTC

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Fabulous work really great how did you get that chrome finish inside the search light ?


Hi John! I'm glad that I liked my work. Reflector in the spotlight I made from ordinary foil from candy.


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that is a very cool build ,thanks for shareing .


You're welcome!
Thanks for the comment!


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that is a very cool build ,thanks for shareing .


Thank you for your appreciation ...


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Yes that's the one I was thinking of, thanks for the clarification. Great work by the way, I really need to build the ones I have in my stash.


David, thank you for evaluating my work! Good luck in assembling your version of this rover!


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I thought academy only produced a Vietnam era my 51 Sheridan. I didn't know that they made a gulf war version...also I thought the gulf war Sheridan had smoke discharges fitted on the front portion of the turret?



David, Academy makes two versions-- a Vietnam version with the early coupula and cargo rack, and the late version (which is what this one is) from the 1st Gulf War (ODS). They both have the grenade launchers, which you can see on this model as a small "quad" set of four mounted on the lower side of the forward turret. The Vietnam Version has the more familiar four single launchers along the bottom edge of the forward turret that you are thinking of. As a former Sheridan commander, I've always been frustrated that Academy didn't manufacture the "mid" life Sheridan with the commanders slab armor "teacup" (that's what we called it) laser range finder, and the older cargo rack. If you wanted one of those, you'd need to buy both the "Vietnam" and "ODS" kits and combine the two. Still waiting for someone to produce the 1975-80 version we had in the 11th ACR in Germany-- that's the one I believe you are thinking about right?
VR, Russ



Russ - applaud your knowledge! I learned a lot from your post!
PzDave
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Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 06:38 PM UTC
When I read this I thought--doesn't this guy know the Sheridan was a failure and we don't use this vehicle even in 91! I did a little research and boy was I wrong!! Great build and research sir. Well done model.
4egevara
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Vladimir, Russia
Joined: November 20, 2010
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Posted: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - 06:03 PM UTC

Quoted Text

When I read this I thought--doesn't this guy know the Sheridan was a failure and we don't use this vehicle even in 91! I did a little research and boy was I wrong!! Great build and research sir. Well done model.


I was also surprised when I learned the history of the application of this tank ... As far as I know, now I use only as simulators for drivers' mechanics in the US?
David, thank you for evaluating my work.
Klaus-Adler
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MODELGEEK
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Scotland, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thursday, August 16, 2018 - 05:49 AM UTC
What sources did you use for your research into this m551 Sheridan? Any books videos or Internet sites would be welcome as I fancy a crack at this kit.

Thanks in advance
GulfWarrior
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ARMORAMA
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Joined: January 05, 2010
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Posted: Thursday, August 16, 2018 - 06:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text


I was also surprised when I learned the history of the application of this tank ... As far as I know, now I use only as simulators for drivers' mechanics in the US?
David, thank you for evaluating my work.



There are some in use by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin California that are visually modified (VISMOD'd) to look like soviet era equipment, BMPs etc.
4egevara
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Vladimir, Russia
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Posted: Thursday, August 16, 2018 - 04:55 PM UTC

Quoted Text


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I was also surprised when I learned the history of the application of this tank ... As far as I know, now I use only as simulators for drivers' mechanics in the US?
David, thank you for evaluating my work.



There are some in use by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin California that are visually modified (VISMOD'd) to look like soviet era equipment, BMPs etc.



Very interesting information, but there is no photo? One could try to make such a model ... Are they simply painted in khaki, or are some elements added for more visual similarity?


Quoted Text

What sources did you use for your research into this m551 Sheridan? Any books videos or Internet sites would be welcome as I fancy a crack at this kit.

Thanks in advance



The compilation certainly requires improvements and corrections.
From the inaccuracies of my time, here's a wonderful article:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/academy/acd13208d01.htm
I got acquainted with the books of Steven J Zaloga (US airmobile tank 1941-2001), looked at the photo reviews of this machine on the Internet. I fixed the most powerful mistakes, as it seems to me. In modeling, I prefer to focus on the visual component and not not the match.
Kevlar06
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Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
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Posted: Friday, August 17, 2018 - 04:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text


I was also surprised when I learned the history of the application of this tank ... As far as I know, now I use only as simulators for drivers' mechanics in the US?
David, thank you for evaluating my work.



There are some in use by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin California that are visually modified (VISMOD'd) to look like soviet era equipment, BMPs etc. [/quote]

Very interesting information, but there is no photo? One could try to make such a model ... Are they simply painted in khaki, or are some elements added for more visual similarity?


Quoted Text

What sources did you use for your research into this m551 Sheridan? Any books videos or Internet sites would be welcome as I fancy a crack at this kit.

Thanks in advance



Besides the sources already listed, I think there's at least one photo in Squadron's "M551 Sheridan" book, and if you look for "OPFOR Sheridan" on line, some photos will likely pop up (OPFOR is an acronym for "Opposing Forces"). The OPFOR sheridans at Fort Irwin were converted to Soviet block type vehicles by using a fiberglass shell to change the turret and body "look" of the vehicle into a "T-72 -T-90 "simulator" or even a BMP. The vehicles were painted overall desert sand. Many flew the green and black OPFOR pennant (green background with a black star in a circle). I just did a quick search on line using OPFOR Sheridans and came up with a dozen or more photos of M551s "dressed" as all kinds of Eastern Block vehicles.
VR, Russ
ttwells
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New York, United States
Joined: June 03, 2006
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Posted: Friday, August 17, 2018 - 06:00 AM UTC
first I loved looking at the building progress and finished model! As for the comments on the weathering, stowage, lights rust etc. you build the way you want and think it looks right. This is one of many reasons I do not like to post models of ACTUAL subjects, or enter in contests for that matter. I recall one time somebody picked apart my M1A1 HA in Iraqi Freedom and its vision blocks. I had reflective material pinkish and green colors and somebody said they didn't look like that.. well photo evidence still didn't shut this guy up so guess what? I stopped posting for a while... so build it to suit your needs
4egevara
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Vladimir, Russia
Joined: November 20, 2010
KitMaker: 209 posts
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Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 09:48 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


I was also surprised when I learned the history of the application of this tank ... As far as I know, now I use only as simulators for drivers' mechanics in the US?
David, thank you for evaluating my work.



There are some in use by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin California that are visually modified (VISMOD'd) to look like soviet era equipment, BMPs etc.



Very interesting information, but there is no photo? One could try to make such a model ... Are they simply painted in khaki, or are some elements added for more visual similarity?


Quoted Text

What sources did you use for your research into this m551 Sheridan? Any books videos or Internet sites would be welcome as I fancy a crack at this kit.

Thanks in advance



Besides the sources already listed, I think there's at least one photo in Squadron's "M551 Sheridan" book, and if you look for "OPFOR Sheridan" on line, some photos will likely pop up (OPFOR is an acronym for "Opposing Forces"). The OPFOR sheridans at Fort Irwin were converted to Soviet block type vehicles by using a fiberglass shell to change the turret and body "look" of the vehicle into a "T-72 -T-90 "simulator" or even a BMP. The vehicles were painted overall desert sand. Many flew the green and black OPFOR pennant (green background with a black star in a circle). I just did a quick search on line using OPFOR Sheridans and came up with a dozen or more photos of M551s "dressed" as all kinds of Eastern Block vehicles.
VR, Russ[/quote]

Already searched and found many photos, thanks for the help. Here I think somehow I'll buy some other m551 for experiments ...


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first I loved looking at the building progress and finished model! As for the comments on the weathering, stowage, lights rust etc. you build the way you want and think it looks right. This is one of many reasons I do not like to post models of ACTUAL subjects, or enter in contests for that matter. I recall one time somebody picked apart my M1A1 HA in Iraqi Freedom and its vision blocks. I had reflective material pinkish and green colors and somebody said they didn't look like that.. well photo evidence still didn't shut this guy up so guess what? I stopped posting for a while... so build it to suit your needs



I am absolutely convinced that it is impossible to do the right model. Conditionalities have always been and will be. We paint, take pictures, we are all in different ways. Everyone has different monitors, different color renditions, all have different knowledge of history, who knows more, who is less. someone can translate their knowledge visually, someone gets it to a lesser extent. In any case, the main thing that we should receive from our hobby is pleasure. There will be pleasure - all the rest will appear!
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 11:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


There are some in use by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin California that are visually modified (VISMOD'd) to look like soviet era equipment, BMPs etc.



Very interesting information, but there is no photo? One could try to make such a model ... Are they simply painted in khaki, or are some elements added for more visual similarity?



The VISMODS used at Ft Irwin have fiberglass shells and bits and pieces added to them so they look like Soviet vehicles as well as being repainted. Here are a few.





18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
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Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 11:07 AM UTC
First off - very nice build.

Regarding VISMOD M551s - Google is not always your friend when it comes to things like this. However, I have photographed two variants in enough detail you could do very good representations of them.





Example detail shot:



I vacu-formed a turret shell and added appropriate edges with half round.

And for good measure, another based on the M113:



As usual, these walk arounds are far better than what you'll find in any printed publication, or the internet. If you're serious about building one PM your email address and I'll send you the walk arounds.
4egevara
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Vladimir, Russia
Joined: November 20, 2010
KitMaker: 209 posts
Armorama: 205 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 04:27 PM UTC
Thank you all for the photos and links. I liked the option of camouflage for an awl, probably on it and stop.
 _GOTOTOP