For publication by end June are two photo books by Tom Gannon focusing on IDF Shermans and armored cars.

From the publisher:

IDF Early Armoured Cars

This album tells the story of early armored cars from the very start of the State of Israel. Carefully researched and detailed captions put photographs in their historical context.

Jewish engineers did not have true armor plate so they improvised with wood sandwiched between metal sheets. Makeshift fighting vehicles evolved into true armored cars. Technicians used a variety of military vehicles. Since the Arab forces were equipped mainly with armored cars and obsolete pre-war tanks, these home-grown vehicles were very useful.

Captured materiel played a major part in the War of Independence. These included Daimler armored cars, ex-Egyptian Humbers, a few Otters and Marmon-Herringtons acquired from British stocks or captured from the Arabs. Dingo, Lynx, and Humber Scout Cars, Humber and Morris Light Reconnaissance Cars and converted Canadian C15As were also obtained. Eventually, the French AML-90 was acquired in 1963.

IDF Shermans M-50 and M51

Israel was forced to improvise weapons of all kinds for their specific purposes. The gun of choice for the Sherman-based M-50 series had already been chosen by the French for their newly-designed light tank, the AMX-13. Soon after, concern over more modern tanks being supplied to surrounding Arab states prompted a increase in firepower. Once again, the Sherman was chosen as the base vehicle and the new 105mm gun, already mounted in the French AMX-30, was the choice of weapon for the M-51.

This Model Foto Focus unravels the mysteries of these machines. For the modeller, this is the ultimate walkaround for an accurate model.

Both titles will be available by 29th June. Open for pre-orders.