Israeli Half Tracks by Dr. Robert Manasherob

Yesterday, I had the chance to hang out with a friend of mine, Dr. Robert Manasherob, author of several books on Israeli and Arab armor.  He gave me a copy of his latest book, Israeli Half Tracks, volume 1.  This book is available through his site, SabIngaMartin Publications. 

The book is 80 pages in length and is loaded with photographs of M5 half-tracks and M14's converted into APCs as used by the Israelis during the 1948 war.  There are 4 pages of color photos showing an improvised flame thrower unit that was used in some of the half-tracks along with 30 pages of color photos showing the major frame and suspension components of a half-track under going restoration.  And finally, there are various 1/35 scale line drawings and 6 pages of color plates along with marking and painting information.

If you're into Israeli armor, this book is for you.  As mentioned above, this book can be purchased directly from Dr. Manasherob at SabIngaMartin Publications for $35.00 plus shipping.

Now if we can only get one of the major model manufacturers to come out with a kit of one of these vehicles....

Finally! The Tasca Sherman Jumbo!

Okay, I'm finally getting caught up on things yet once again.  I still haven't bought a new camera.  That'll have to be sometime in February.  In the meantime, I've used my wife's Sony Cybershot to shoot the following pics of the new Tasca 1/35 M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo. 

Just a quick note:  this is not a review of the kit nor do I intend on reviewing it.  I provided Tasca with over 1600 photos of the M4A3E2 located at the MVTF along with measurements of certain components.  As a thank you, they provided me with several Jumbo kits and have included my name at the bottom of the last page of the kit instructions.



When you open the box, you are greeted with 19 sprues of parts, a small PE fret, instructions, decals, some poly caps and a small felt pad.  Many of the sprues are familiar to those who have purchased Tasca Shermans in the past.  They'll further add to your spares box. 







                                                         



Three of this sprue are included.  You get three different types of road wheels.





Duckbills are molded onto the T48 tracks.





Some close ups of the major E2 parts:



The turret lacks casting numbers.  Each turret had an individual number cast onto each side of the turret.  You'll need to add these when building your kit.



The extra glacis and side plates are add on panels.



The differential housing cover has been thickened compared to those on the M4A3(76)/M4A3E8 kits.





The profile of the thickened mantlet looks pretty good.

Overall, 493 olive drab colored plastic parts, 16 clear plastic parts, 14 PE parts and 24 poly caps are included.  Three different types of road wheels and three main gun tubes are included.  Lots of other extras such as periscopes, applique armor plates, British style fire extinguishers and other goodies are also included.

I'm very happy that a modern, injection moulded kit of the Jumbo has finally been released.  It'll be interesting to see what Tasca has up their sleeve for the next round of Shermans.

My next post will feature new additions to the reference library.







Dead camera

Well, today I was hoping to be able to post some pictures of the newest kit from Tasca, the M4A3E2 Jumbo.  Instead, I get to tell you that my 6 1/2 year old Nikon D70 has gone to electronic heaven.  Yep, the camera that I've used since mid-2004 has finally died.  Last night, I powered it up to shoot pics of the Jumbo sprues but instead of taking pictures, I heard a "whirring" noise and had a green screen instead of an image display.  This morning, it wouldn't even power up.

Upon visiting the camera store today, I was told that it really wasn't worth fixing.  It'll probably be in the $350-$400 range to repair.  Not really worth it considering a some of the newest ones that shoot at a much higher resolution are $650 or so.  Of course, this couldn't come at a worse time as my car needs a bunch of work as well. 

Oh well, what can you do?  Things are tough all over and it could always be worse, much worse.  Later tonight, I'll post pics of the Jumbo sprues, just much lower quality pics as I'll be using my daughter's old Samsung digi-cam.  Oh and BTW, I have 3 Tasca Jumbos for sale, $50.00 each plus shipping.  C-ya!!

Local PBS affiliate video of the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation

Back in October of this year, the local PBS affiliate, KTEH, was at the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation filming a segment for a Veteran's Day special.  Below is the video used in the show that was televised on 10NOV10:

Israeli Half-Tracks Vol. I is now available!

Dr. Robert Manasherob of SabIngaMartin Publications has just informed me that his latest book, Israeli Half-Track Vol. I is now available.

This book and others can be purchased directly from Dr. Manasherob via the above website.



Sherman Jumbo being released by the lizard??

A reliable source told me today that the lizard will be releasing their 1/35 Sherman Jumbo real soon.  Basically, they're timing it to counter the release of the Tasca Jumbo.  So, it looks like modellers will have an additional Jumbo to choose from later this month or early January. 

Don't expect any comparative Sherman Jumbo reviews from me as I provided Tasca with Sherman Jumbo photos and will be receiving my kit directly from them.  Plus, I do not plan on buying the lizard's Jumbo since I can't really justify purchasing anymore kits.  As it is, SWMBO gives me enough grief about the stack of unfinished kits in the den and I don't need anymore of that!

Until next time....

Lion & Lioness of the Line Vol. 6: Early IDF Sherman Tanks

Last Saturday, I received my copy of the latest in the line of IDF Sherman books from Dr. Robert Manasherob.  Lion & Lioness of the Line Volume 6:  Early IDF Sherman Tanks covers the first Shermans that were acquired by the Israelis during and after the War of Independance in the late 1940's.  As Dr. Manasherob and I are friends, I won't review the book but I can tell you what's in it.

The book is 80 pages in length with the first 43 pages featuring numerous period photos and some line drawings of the earliest Israeli Shermans.  The balance of the book contains colors photos of a M4(105)VVSS on display at Latrun and color plates.  The early Israeli Shermans were 47 degree hull M4(105)'s that were acquired from Italy.  With the announcement of the new M4(105)VVSS from Dragon, modellers will now have a good base kit to model most if not all of the Shermans in this book.

Dr. Manasherob also let me know that he should have another book ready to go sometime this month.  As soon as it's official, I'll post it here.

This book and all others from Dr. Manasherob can be purchased directly from him through the Sabingamartin Publications website.