Rye Field Models announced the M551 Sheridan kit is available and on the way to the stores.

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Thanks!

Finaly!

Can this be made into a 1970s era version?
Dan

Dear Vodnik (Pawl),
We want your take on the accuracy of this kit please before purchasing.

this is good news, i'm just wondering how long it will take to reach us here in the UK?

This is the 1970s era M551A1 version with the LRF, but it's supposedly a 2-in-1 kit which can also be built into the later TTS versions serving with the 82nd Airborne through DS/DS and beyond. Earlier sprue shots showed it including a standard cargo rack as well--maybe, and a more detailed gun breech. Hopefully, they've kept those features. But-- there doesn't appear to be an IR Searchlight on this test shot (it's in the advertisements running along the side of this web page though) which was common on 70's era M55A1s -- so I guess we'll have to wait and see what it brings. This will be a lot more detailed than the Tamiya kit. I crewed an M551A1 1977-79, and this one looks pretty good to me, but only opening the box and glueing the parts together will tell-- there's a lot of PE included which can only enhance the detail and accuracy.
VR, Russ

Looking forward to it. I rellay liked the Tamiya kit, it was such a great and almost perfect OOTB build. Fun to do that one really.

Wow-- I've been going over the photos-- there's BII included in the cargo boxes under the PE lids! I can see a rammer for sure, and what may be a track jack in the left rear box. You don't see that in many kits! Wonder what other "secrets" this kit has? Lots of other details noted such as a separate "surf board" and window. I understand it'll cost upwards of $62, so it's not cheap..
VR, Russ

Just noticed that during Just Cause 1989, there were two versions in use.

With laser sight:


Without laser sight:


1970's version:

Finally!! Hopefully Hobbyeasy will be sending mine in short order. Looking forward to this one.

Marc,
The designation of the M551 came into effect in 1966, with the initial production variant of the Sheridan, the main distinguishing features of that vehicle was the Closed Breech Scavenging System (CBSS) with a large bore evacuator and IR searchlight. By 1972, the poorly performing CBSS was removed, and the Hughes LRF was added on production vehicles coming off the assembly line, and as an add-on package on rebuild vehicles, bringing them up to "A1" standards. But It wasn't automatically or universally adopted. In fact, M551s going into rebuild might get the LRF, yet retain the large bore evacuator (less the CBSS). There were other small add-on improvements in armor protection and engine/drive upgrades as well. By 1976, most M551s had been upgraded or modified to the A1 standard-- at least in Europe. However, the LRF was frequently absent for many reasons (I sheared mine off at Wildflecken in July 1978 when the recoil of the 152mm sheared the bolts to the back of the armored plate, and the whole thing tipped off into the mud, taking the electronics and battery pack with it. From then on, I didn't have a LRF anymore). All the LRF did was provide the TC with a mostly accurate distance to the target, which the gunner then choked into his sight reticle. The LRF was frequently useless in foggy or smoky conditions, providing false returns. It worked very well in clear weather. But the LRF wasn't absolutely necessary for sighting or firing the gun, and It was often removed and not replaced when it failed.

The M55A1TTS version was primarily used in the 82nd Airborne, but it also appeared in other units for a short time before the Sheridan was withdrawn-- the "TTS" is the "Tank Thermal Sights" and is a modification to low-light sights based on the M60A3 sighting system, which does not use the IR searchlight. This is a post 1980 version. That's why this kit has two different sights included-- one for the earlier 70s version and one for the more "modern" TTS/Desert Storm version. A distinctive feature of the TTS is also the "clustered" smoke launchers rather than the 4 large launchers along the sides.

Just to make things "clear" (as mud) you could find M551A1s with and without the LRF and with the original smoke launchers or the searchlight. You could also find them with or without the searchlight. The "clustered" launchers are found primarily on TTS vehicles, but there are exceptions, and The original launchers could still be found on Sheridans into the '90s. That's why you see some vehicles with the LRF, or a mix of old and new smoke launchers. The searchlight is largely redundant on TTS vehicles. Also remember, you might find a mix of different vehicles in the same unit.
VR, Russ

TTS stands for tank thermal sight. It was a thermal add-on sight that was added to the M60A3 and some M551. It could also be found in some range towers to judge night gunnery.

I loved that thing. Very clear picture.

So it's a go for accuracy I take it? Good as this one looks like a fun build.

Yep-- I corrected my mistake, was typing rather quickly. As far as accuracy goes, it looks really good to me with lots of options available. I think you can build any version of the M551A1 you could desire with this kit. It looks like a Starlight scope (A/N PVS 4?) comes with the .50, so I'm not sure what version of the M551A1 RFM is trying to depict in their test shots-- they also have the late "blinders" on the headlights. The Sheridan went through many subtle updates over the years, and it looks like RFM is trying to include many of them. I think the right side of the forward turret has optional parts to incorporate early/late M551A1 gunners sights? . It doesn't seem like it would be that hard to backdate this to a late M551 either. I know the Tamiya kit is good, but I'm looking forward to seeing what the possibilities of this kit are.
VR, Russ

Russ,

Thanks for explaining the finer details.

I generally don't build anything past WWII, but the Sheridan was my favorite tank to use in the Vietnam mod for the original Battlefield 1942 game.

I may get this if I can replicate the version used in the game.

Shell
Well, if you are looking for a straight M551, Vietnam edition, you might look to the Tamiya kit, especially if you're not looking for a lot of parts or detail. My bet is this kit will have at least twice the parts the Tamiya kit has, and will be a more complicated build. I suspect it can be "backdated" to the M551, but for the trouble, you can get the Tamiya kit cheaper.
VR, Russ

Mine is inbound from Sprue Brothers, should be here on 9/17. I will be using it as a reference for detailing my 1/16 Tamiya RC M551.

Barry

Yep, $55.49 + shipping at Sprue Brothers. I'm going to give my LHS a chance though. I also understand Squadron may be getting them in soon.
VR, Russ

Russ,
Can you give us a report on the kit when you get it and if it can be made in a '70's Era CAV tank?
Thanks, Dan

http://www.moxingfans.com/test/RFM/2019/0911/6472.html
Dan

Thanks for posting the links Dan. Great to see the parts and instructions. The details look terrific...except for those nasty sink marks on the tracks!

I noticed that as well!
I'm hoping that I can easily make a '70s Era tank.
Dan

Dan, I see no problem at all building this as an early 70s Sheridan (post 72 at least). It comes with all the necessary parts to do so. And I think it can be backdated to a late 60s version as well, just by leaving off the LRF. I don't see the sink marks you guys are talking about-- I've only seen the original test shots of the kit sprues-- am I missing something? Those photos from Moxing Fans are all 1980s Sheridans from the 82nd ABN. The Tamiya kit can only be built as a Vietnam or very early 70s Sheridan given the parts-- this kit looks like it will make up the difference from 1972 forward. Of course, I don't know what decal offerings are provided yet-- looks like they are only for 80s era M551A1s but we'll see.
VR, Russ