There are some new photos of soon-to-be-released Academy M551 Sheridan kit on Academy Europe home page. The text is only in German, but photos need no translation.
http://www.academy-europe.de/afvusahtm/13011.htm
Because of the previous aggresive reaction to my comments about new Sheridan pics, this time I'm going to post just one: there is no doubt that the model does look like a Sheridan.
Pawel
Hosted by Darren Baker
New photos of Academy M551 Sheridan
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 11:01 PM UTC
lestweforget
Joined: November 08, 2002
KitMaker: 2,832 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 11:12 PM UTC
Very nice 
Although i didnt jump right on the bandwagon last time i did say it was good enough in my eyes, but are all those problems previously mentioned still there, or has the kit since been modified?
Cheers
Although i didnt jump right on the bandwagon last time i did say it was good enough in my eyes, but are all those problems previously mentioned still there, or has the kit since been modified?
Cheers
armormike
Joined: June 15, 2004
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 01:03 AM UTC
Just saw the first one on eBay yesterday. Should be out any day now. Usually takes about 30 days for it to finally show in states after one appearrs from South Korean seller.
SEDimmick
Joined: March 15, 2002
KitMaker: 1,745 posts
Armorama: 1,483 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 03:02 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Very nice
Although i didnt jump right on the bandwagon last time i did say it was good enough in my eyes, but are all those problems previously mentioned still there, or has the kit since been modified?
Cheers
Doesnt look like it
Well the Drive and idler sprockets look too small to me. I can accept the rest of the kit as it is. Guess its gonna be the Aftermarket to the rescue again for this kit
Plasticbattle
#003
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 03:24 AM UTC
Tranlator help if anybody is interested.
The first vehicles of the M551 Sheridan rolled in the year 1965 of the assembly lines after one had undertaken many changes at the 12 prototype. The noticeables were a more angular tub out of geschweißtem aluminum with better ballistic form as well as new course roll and an amphibious equipment.
V6 Turbodiesel strong driven by a 300 HP with water cooling reached of the tanks a maximum speed of tightly 70 km/h. In a combat weight of ca. 16 tons an achievement weight of 18.9 HP/t arose. With one frame done of 160 US gallons (598 liters) the Sheridan created 375 miles and/or 560 km.
Although to the pure air landing proved conceives the so named LAPES procedure to be more protective for the load work steep. At the same time a C flew was pulled-130 Hercules very low, that on palette verzurrte tank of parachute out of the airplane and landed then immediately with the head screens.
The planned unrestricted Schwimmfähigkeit (z. B. like the sow. PT-76) was rejected and so was able to cross the Sheridan only quiet within waters.
The head armament consisted of the M81 152mm multi-purpose gun, which conventional ammunition (20 garnets) could as well as rockets (respect MGM-51 Shillelagh) verschießen. Koaxial were further a 7,62mm MG as well as a 12, 7mm FlaMG on the tower on board. Except the normal telescopes was used also a sensor infrared for the goal F things.
The M551 was between 1967 and 1970 in Vietnam in the use. There it was turned back because of its sensitivity vis-à-vis mines and problems with the clasp of the canon again out of the frontmost line. Also prepared the not completely burning sheath loose ammunition unites difficulties. Later yet uses in Panama (OPERATION JUST CAUSE, 1989) came as well as in the Near East with the 82nd air countries division (OPERATION DESERT SHIELD, 1991) in addition.
Always yet 300 Sheridans in the national training center of the Army are used. With the help of cultivated becomes out of sheet metal, wood and plastic its external image the enemy representation of BMP-1/2, T-80, ZSU-23/4 adapted.
The first vehicles of the M551 Sheridan rolled in the year 1965 of the assembly lines after one had undertaken many changes at the 12 prototype. The noticeables were a more angular tub out of geschweißtem aluminum with better ballistic form as well as new course roll and an amphibious equipment.
V6 Turbodiesel strong driven by a 300 HP with water cooling reached of the tanks a maximum speed of tightly 70 km/h. In a combat weight of ca. 16 tons an achievement weight of 18.9 HP/t arose. With one frame done of 160 US gallons (598 liters) the Sheridan created 375 miles and/or 560 km.
Although to the pure air landing proved conceives the so named LAPES procedure to be more protective for the load work steep. At the same time a C flew was pulled-130 Hercules very low, that on palette verzurrte tank of parachute out of the airplane and landed then immediately with the head screens.
The planned unrestricted Schwimmfähigkeit (z. B. like the sow. PT-76) was rejected and so was able to cross the Sheridan only quiet within waters.
The head armament consisted of the M81 152mm multi-purpose gun, which conventional ammunition (20 garnets) could as well as rockets (respect MGM-51 Shillelagh) verschießen. Koaxial were further a 7,62mm MG as well as a 12, 7mm FlaMG on the tower on board. Except the normal telescopes was used also a sensor infrared for the goal F things.
The M551 was between 1967 and 1970 in Vietnam in the use. There it was turned back because of its sensitivity vis-à-vis mines and problems with the clasp of the canon again out of the frontmost line. Also prepared the not completely burning sheath loose ammunition unites difficulties. Later yet uses in Panama (OPERATION JUST CAUSE, 1989) came as well as in the Near East with the 82nd air countries division (OPERATION DESERT SHIELD, 1991) in addition.
Always yet 300 Sheridans in the national training center of the Army are used. With the help of cultivated becomes out of sheet metal, wood and plastic its external image the enemy representation of BMP-1/2, T-80, ZSU-23/4 adapted.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 03:38 AM UTC
Don't know where you got the above description, but here is one that at least makes snese and is readable. From Federation of American Scientists, FAS.org:
Quoted Text
The M551 Sheridan was developed to provide the US Army with a light armored reconnaissance vehicle with heavy firepower. The main armament consists of an 152mm M81 gun/missile launcher capable of firing conventional ammunition and the MGM-51 Shillelagh antitank missile (20 conventional rounds and 8 missiles). Due to problems with the gun-tube-launched antitank missile, the Sheridan was not fielded widely throughout the Army. The gun would foul with caseless ammuniton, gun firing would interfere with missle electronics, and the entire vehicle recoiled with unusual vigor when the gun was fired, since the 152mm gun was too big for the light-weight chassis. The Shillelagh missles were evidently never used in anger. In addition to the main gun/missile launcher, the M551 is armed with a 7.62mm M240 machine gun and a 12.7mm M2 HB antiaircraft machine gun. A Detroit Diesel 6V-53T 300hp turbo-charged V-6 diesel engine and an Allison TG-250-2A poweshift transmission provide the Sheridan's power. Protection for the four-man crew is provided by an aluminum hull and steel turret. Although light enough to be airdrop-capable, the alumninum armour was thin enough to be pierced by heavy machine-gun rounds, and the vehicle was particularly vulnerable to mines.
Initially produced in 1966, the M551 was fielded in 1968. 1,562 M551s were built between 1966 and 1970. The Sheridan saw limited action in Vietnam, where many deficiencies were revealed. The missle system was useless against an enemy that employed tanks, though the Sheridan saw a lot of use towards the end of the war because of its mobility. Sheridan-equiped units participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama (1989), and was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. As projectile technology advanced, the Sheridan's potential declined and it was phased out of the US inventory beginning in 1978. However, the M551 is still used by the 82nd Airborne Division. Some 330 "visually-modified" Sheridans represent threat tanks and armored vehicles at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California.
Frenchy
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 04:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Don't know where you got the above description
It's only the "translation" of the text that can be read on the web page Vodnik has given the link to....Reminds me of some weird made-in-asia domestic appliances instruction booklets I've got at home
Frenchy
rebelsoldier
Joined: June 30, 2004
KitMaker: 1,336 posts
Armorama: 757 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 05:31 AM UTC
saw it on e bay
current bid and shippin puts it around 33 bucks so far
will wait, but am gonna get one i reckon
reb
current bid and shippin puts it around 33 bucks so far
will wait, but am gonna get one i reckon
reb
GSPatton
Joined: September 04, 2002
KitMaker: 1,411 posts
Armorama: 609 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 07:00 AM UTC
Given the lack of choice for the M551 - the ancient Tamiya (toy) or the Jaguar resin (beast) I'll take the Academy version and fix what I can and live with the rest. It would be nice to add an 82nd Airborne (Desert Strom) version to my collection. 
Plasticbattle
#003
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 09:32 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Don't know where you got the above description, but here is one that at least makes snese and is readable.
Quoted Text
It's only the "translation" of the text that can be read on the web page Vodnik has given the link to.
Thats right Frenchy!
All my knowledge about sheridans and my total german vocabulary can be written on the back of a stamp!
SgtWilhite
Joined: July 07, 2004
KitMaker: 470 posts
Armorama: 362 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 01:33 PM UTC
The kit may have some shortcomings, but I'd like to have one anyway. 
jRatz
Joined: March 06, 2004
KitMaker: 1,171 posts
Armorama: 541 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 02:21 PM UTC
We got Sheridans in 3rd Armor Division in Germany in 1970. Took us four years to get 'em so we could send each one down-range at tank gunnery (without repainting bumper numbers to make it look like we had).
Lots of issues with the Sheridan, the biggest being the main gun & caseless ammo. IIRC the compressor that was to blow the burnt bag shreds out of the tube were the same as used on the B52 for something else & the availablity was nil, none, nada most of the time.
But we finally ran every Sheridan down-range at annual tank gunnery in 1974 (back in the good old days of USAREUR run head-to-head competition, no re-run/alibi/kiss your sister tank-gunnery). That was also the tank-gunnery cycle we got the bad depot rebuild recoil mechs in some M-60's & blew one back thru the TC & gunner. We replaced 20-some in several days & never missed a beat. And just to close this out, it was also the year our 3rd Bde, 3AD armor bns (3/32 & 1/32) took #1 & #2 in Europe, our inf bn (1/36) took top Inf Bn & our Arty (2/27) took top Arty Bn. It was Division tank gunnery, but specific Bdes were assigned to host it -- 3rd Bde had the bulk of it and at one time, my poor ol' DS Maint Company (I was Shop officer, Mr Goodwrench if you will) was supporting every AR, IN, FA, & EN Bn in the division, not to mention the Cav. You can't have that much fun with your clothes on anywhere.
Lots of issues with the Sheridan, the biggest being the main gun & caseless ammo. IIRC the compressor that was to blow the burnt bag shreds out of the tube were the same as used on the B52 for something else & the availablity was nil, none, nada most of the time.
But we finally ran every Sheridan down-range at annual tank gunnery in 1974 (back in the good old days of USAREUR run head-to-head competition, no re-run/alibi/kiss your sister tank-gunnery). That was also the tank-gunnery cycle we got the bad depot rebuild recoil mechs in some M-60's & blew one back thru the TC & gunner. We replaced 20-some in several days & never missed a beat. And just to close this out, it was also the year our 3rd Bde, 3AD armor bns (3/32 & 1/32) took #1 & #2 in Europe, our inf bn (1/36) took top Inf Bn & our Arty (2/27) took top Arty Bn. It was Division tank gunnery, but specific Bdes were assigned to host it -- 3rd Bde had the bulk of it and at one time, my poor ol' DS Maint Company (I was Shop officer, Mr Goodwrench if you will) was supporting every AR, IN, FA, & EN Bn in the division, not to mention the Cav. You can't have that much fun with your clothes on anywhere.
Rockfall
#202
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 04:53 PM UTC
Wow I think I need a translator to uncode what you just said John! lol
blaster76
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Armorama: 3,034 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 08:25 PM UTC
I remember those days quite well John. Table 8, Fogwatch at Graf, wish I could remember the range number was it 42? My tank shot number 1 in the 8th ID second BDE which had 2 battalions of tanks, in my Platoon we also had the #4 high scoring tank in Bde. So my platoon were the Billy bad-asses of 1977. Final engagement, we shot and killed three in 11 seconds and that was with a broken breech lock pin (had to manually open breach to load every round) Oh yea and my trusty rusty M-85 broke something inside. I literally poured out it's guts. Luckily I had loaded up on tracers and was a crackerjack hip shooter. We got through the "supression" engagement, and then used the M203 coax to do the rest of the dirty work. Thank god that piece of dog doo doo didn't act up and jam
blaster76
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Armorama: 3,034 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 08:30 PM UTC
Sorry about the trip down memory lane there guys. Forgot the subject almost. I am one that took the old Tamiya and scratched within my abilities to bring it to a Viet Nam status. Looks remarkably close to the Academy kit (Ididn't put a bustle rack on mine) Two years ago I would be cheering this kit, now I say too little too late for me. If you need an M551 for your collection. Jump on it guys, I don't think it will last long in the inventory. Not many know what it is, even fewer will model it
mikeli125
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 2,595 posts
Armorama: 1,209 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 08:45 PM UTC
those Ammo can? on the turret side look poor
Red4
Joined: April 01, 2002
KitMaker: 4,287 posts
Armorama: 1,867 posts
Posted: Friday, March 18, 2005 - 01:40 AM UTC
Ahhh Sheridan memories. I gots lots of them. Commandeed one for 4 years while at Ft. Bragg. I already said my piece on Vodniks's last post so I'll shut up about what is and isnt wrong with the kit. I will get one and make it my own, and love it, and keep it and call him George. :-) :-) :-) Seriously though. I t has issues, but I'll deal with it. "Q" And yes, it looks like a Sheridan.
And yes, it looks like a Sheridan. 
rfeehan
Joined: July 20, 2003
KitMaker: 727 posts
Armorama: 648 posts
Posted: Friday, March 18, 2005 - 03:05 AM UTC
Thanks for sharing the pics. I know I will be buying one.
=)
=)
Capricorn
Joined: January 31, 2005
KitMaker: 22 posts
Armorama: 22 posts
Posted: Friday, March 18, 2005 - 09:51 AM UTC
Well, the model could be better, but it seems to be better than an old Tamiya model after all. It can be good base to build quite accurate M551 replica. I'm sure I will buy one...
Delta42
Joined: August 27, 2002
KitMaker: 616 posts
Armorama: 511 posts
Posted: Friday, March 18, 2005 - 01:12 PM UTC
No model produced will ever be perfect out of the box. Making it your very own by scratch building or adding after market is 80% of the fun of modeling. I'm just so happy that someone is finally producing an updated version that I can add to my collection of modern armor. Be happy we have some new American armor out and not another version of the Tiger or Panther. And before anybody gets their feather's ruffled by my last statement, I'm not knocking the German equipment enthusiasts, I'm just ready for some new American stuff whether it be WWII or later. As for me, I already have one preordered at my local hobby shop. 
sgtreef
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 01:13 PM UTC
Right about the sprockets look to small,but at least they have the gabillion rivets on it.
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