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Lurker here. I just finished this kit, and I agree, it's much better than the old Academy offering and the even older Tamiya kit from the '70s. I thought the tracks were very well done, and the figures were outstanding.

The Sheridan was special to me because it was the first actual tank I got to climb around on as a kid. The local Ohio National Guard armory in Bainbridge had a squadron from the 107th Armored Cavalry, and would bring a few vehicles to the county fair every year.

If I get around to it, I'll post a few photos of mine...I did it in the MASSTER camouflage pattern from the mid-70s (I did the best I could, seeing as I could only find a few images of a Sheridan in that pattern.)

Again, excellent write up.

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Hi, People!

Just from reading what you guys have all been saying about the NEW TAMIYA M551 as compared to the OLD TAMIYA kit and the ACADEMY kit, confirms what I said earlier about the benefits of "slide-molding" that are being passed on to us, the builders. "Apples to apples" though, aren't the RYE FIELD M551s supposed to be -A1s, as opposed to the TAMIYA kits being 'Nam-vintage "slicks"???

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Dennis, that's correct-- the RFM kit is an A1/A1TTS kit. But several folks in different forums have been considering converting the Tamiya kit into the later versions. Which wouldn't be too hard (with either creative scratchbuilding or the help of the aftermarket). The CAD shots of the RFM kit also show several options Tamiya doesn't offer (if CAD shots can be trusted). There are also many more folks who served on A1/A1TTS versions than there were on the slick, and the variety of camouflage and paint schemes is much wider than the options for a slick (OD, MASSTER, MERDC, Desert, 82nd ABN, etc). So I think while the Tamiya offering is great, the RFM offers a lot more options. I haven't seen any manufacturer offering a true slick though-- which would have the early bore evacuation system-- everyone seems to be offering the modified barrel CBSS, or the new CBSS guns. Many of the old M551s with the older bore evacuation system served in Vietnam. The current offerings with the ring around the barrel were mods of the old system, and the A1/A1TTS should be straight barrels.
VR, Russ

Def makes two kinds.

Dennis, I have to disagree just a little, as some of the new Meng, Takom and RFM kits have a lot of detail packed into the box. I'm hoping the RFM Sheridan will follow the pattern they've set with some of the German gear they've marketed lately. I can't help but feel Tamiya is trying to satisfy a different niche with this model-- a quicker build, with some details simplified, at a cheaper price point. But, it's head and shoulders above previous models of the M551. It just disturbs me there are no tie downs or brackets on the turret, some of the details around the hatches are soft, the armor plate on the TCs cupola has simplified detail around the hinges, and the splash guard is not separate--not to mention the shortcut with the screening material. But I think it's ok for the price point. We'll see how RFM does with these details I guess. I should caviat my statements by revealing I'm an old Sheridan crew member, so perhaps it's just that I was just expecting more. I'm still tempted by this kit though as there are some nice features.
VR, Russ

sherd did you have any prolems doing those traks ? I have 2 kits in my stash that have those typ of traks but im use the rubber band typ ,any hints thaht would me would be great ,and your build is great thanks for your time .

It's molded closed, and lacks good, clear definition of the cover edge and pivot points.

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It's molded closed, and lacks good, clear definition of the cover edge and pivot points.

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Hmmmm... wonder how hard it would be to get it open. Anyone know of any aftermarket for it yet?
VR, Russ

Thanks Russ, I appreciate posts like yours. It really puts things into context.

After reading your initial post about the cover I started thinking I want to open it up. Now reading you next post I'm thinking leave it alone so it doesn't get scratched by a 1/35 tree branch.

This is why I never get anything done, I start thinking too much.

Again, Russ, and to everyone who has contributed to this thread, thank you for all the information and first hand accounts.

When I fired my rounds in Sheridan School and gunnery in Germany all firing was done through the telescope. It had the choke sight and the gunner could determine the range to target using it. This was with conventional rounds. I was never on board for a missile shot which usually used the periscope. The crews got to fire 1 missile at Graf during qualification gunnery. Its a great way to get proficient.

Tom

I was trained in M60A1's and then the Sheridan... couple of things I vividly recall...the TC putting the fear of God into us about leaving out the obturator ring ( apparently the resultant flash killed tankers by exploding ammo ) keeping your eye firmly on the sight eye cover to avoid getting a black eye when firing and the violent kick of the whole track when firing conventional ammo and the slow travel of the round down range....
never got to fire a missile...

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I was trained in M60A1's and then the Sheridan... couple of things I vividly recall...the TC putting the fear of God into us about leaving out the obturator ring ( apparently the resultant flash killed tankers by exploding ammo ) keeping your eye firmly on the sight eye cover to avoid getting a black eye when firing and the violent kick of the whole track when firing conventional ammo and the slow travel of the round down range....
never got to fire a missile...

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Obturator ring was a frequent problem. As I recall though, the breech wouldn't close properly without it being in place. There was a series of electronic system checks with a green (or red) light indicator which indicated a fully closed breech-- for the CBSS on the turret wall in the loaders position. It was possible to oblong it too, with the weight of the conventional round ( the thing was a thin, formed and stepped steel ring that fit between the breech and rear of the gun tube, designed to fully seal the breech) Rough handling with a round would ensure that the next round went halfway into the tube and stuck there, requiring the crew to get out and punch the round out with a rammer-- not a fun experience (I've had the unfun experience of doing it) there was also a "detent pin and button" on the inside bottom of the breech which kept the round from falling out if the gun was elevated while loading. If not held down when the round was rammed from the outside, the detent "pin" would tear the cartridge case open spilling propellant onto the floor-- a real-life threatening fire hazard. Recoil would usually bring the track off the second road wheel, which also played havoc with the drivetrain. I was once on the range and the bolts on my TCs armored plate sheared off during a recoil, sending me in the air, severing the battery pack cables for the laser range range finder, then the entire assembly fell off the back of the track in the mud. It was fast, and quite a ride, but it sucked in many ways too.
VR, Russ