Can anyone tell me when the IDF was using the M60A1 with reactive armor?

Would these have been used in operation in Labanon in the early 80's?

Also the dates for the Shmira. I'm pretty sure these would be in Lebanon at that time.

Thanks!
Steve

Shiryon would be you expert, but here is what I know. M60 w. blazer was used from late 70's turu present on some tanks. Recon jeep (not really called a Shmira) was used from early 70's to present. However, it was not used on M151A1 cahsis as depicted by Academy, was only used on M151A2 MUTT chasis. That is what I know.

Thanks Gino!

Anyone else out there that can help me out?

Steve

Both were used during the late 70 and early 80 in Lebanon. The M151 was alway called a "jeep" by the way. Shmira is an academy invention and while it is true that they were mostly M151A2 we did have few A1 - mostly with the reserve troops

Hi there!
I had the same doubt, I was thinking that only the M151A2 were used.
But I think is better to use the Academy kit to make a Vietnan version, it´s perfect for these (:-)

So 'Shmira' is a complete fabrication by Academy? What does the word mean and why bother to make up a false name?

Thanks!
Steve

Fix I found for the M151A1 vs A2 problem was purchasing one of Academy's A2 MUTT's, and doing a little creative swapping. Unless you are doing something that shows the engine space, or suspension, you can get by pretty easy. They kept a lot of the things somewhat interchangeable, and between both kits, you get a decent amount of spares. And, in essence, you get two separate jeeps, with a U.S. Driver, plus a three man U.S. Mortar team. *chuckle*

The word shmira means watch/gaurd duty. As mentioned while M15a1 were most definitely redceived(including TOW variants during the 73 war) I have never seen one in a photo. hte Academy kit is also somewhat lacking and outright wrong in some areas. Rivet counters will even go so far to tell you its the wrong chassis. As to IDF changes here's a brief list.

1) 4 ammo cans under passenger side dash.
2) rear pintleis up agains the rear not in middle of sitting area as on US versions
3) Many 151s had a second infantry radio mounted similar to the half height water can on the passenger side.
4) some units had padded roll bars

5) and oh yeah check this out.....................

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/claude_il/lst?.dir=/My+Documents&.order=&.view=l&.src=bc&.done=http%3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/

as far as the M60 blazer (Magach 6) mounting for the system are seen on vehicles coming out of the Sanai during 1979.I working on a buildup of the M151 jeep now I'll post it when I'm done.

JosWeingarten
aKA shiryon

Well the "shmira" is not a complete fabrication but you need to understand first how things were done in the IDF.

As Josh explained, "Shmira" is the Hebrew word for guard or watch duty. The IDF never used a specific designation for the M151 and it was commonly called a "Jeep", "American Jeep" and even "Centurion" (don't ask me why), The only official code name being its radio call sign: Hamishia, the H pronounced like the South American Spanish J. Since they were used in various functions, you would often hear the words "Jeep Siur", "Jeep Shmira", "Jeep Livui" and "Jeep Tash" for identifying vehicles used for guard duty, patrol, escort and junior officers staff cars respectively. It is very possible that older M151A1 found themselves relegated to doing perimeter rounds in guard duties and this might be the source of Academy reference.

All of them, except for the Jeep Tash, looked pretty much the same. The roll bar is a common accessory added in 1980-1981. The main difference was caused by the additional equipment each had - for example the Jeep Livui, later call GALAV, had a complete kit for erecting mobile roadblocks and the soldiers wore bulletproof "light" composite/ceramic vests as opposed to the usual kevlar. The Jeep Siur would of course have more ammo and personel equipment stashed all over, as well as a camo net and other stuff that makes prolonged deployment in the field more pleasant.

But to take the A1/A2 debate on the right track: Our recon platoon still has 12 M151, 2 of them are M151A1.

So, can you use the Academy kit? The answer is a reserved yes. You need to read Josh comments and get as much information as you can on the particular vehicle you want to model since not 2 were identical.

Claude

Claude,
Could you send me a photo of one of yours A1 or meybe the A2?
I really like israeli subjects and I´m actually planning to make a M151A2 with tow for my next project, the only photo I have is from the Verlinden book about the MUTTs.
Thanks on advance
(:-)

Paulo,

Josh already gave the URL for my Yahoo briefcase were you can find 6 good pictures of M151A2 belonging to our recon platoon, Anyway, the full URL is http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/claude_il/lst?&.dir=/My+Documents/Reference+Pictures/M151A2+Recon+Jeeps&.src=bc&.view=t&.begin=1&.order=&.done=http%3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/claude_il/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bDocuments/Reference%2bPictures/M151A2%2bRecon%2bJeeps%26.src=bc%26.view=t

As for information on IDF TOW MUTT, you are a one lucky modeler. Few months ago I translated an article from KNE MIDA to English and posted the resulting Acrobat PDF file in the IDF Armour group on Yahoo. You can find the file here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/idf_armour/files/IDF%20mutt%20tow/

Good luck