Introduction

Dr. Robert Mansherob continues his look at M50 and M51 Shermans in IDF service in his book "Lioness & Lion of the Line, Vol 2: M50 and M51". Published 2012 by SabIngaMartin Publications this has 80 pages of reference material for those interested in early IDF armour.

Review

This book continues the stories of the M50 and M51 from Volume 1. For the M50, it picks up just after the 1956 War, with the first 20 pages highlighting its strengths and weaknesses as well as the problem of quickly expanding Israel’s Armored Force. There are 33 Black & White period photos of M50s on maneuvers and on parade. There are four 1/35 scale 5-view drawings of M50s: 3 Model A (Degem Alef) on M4A4, M4A1 intermediate, and M4 composite hulls and a model B (Degem Beth) on an M4A1 late hull.

For the M51, the book starts with the story of the M51 Model A and how the Israelis integrated them into their units given their low production rate. There are 9 pages with 12 Black & White period photos of M51s on exercises and in parades. There are 2 1/35 5-view drawings of M51s model A based on M4A1 late hulls (one from General Steel).

Starting on page 48 is a section with 142 color photos of M50 turret details from The Latrun Musuem and the Littlefield Collection. Just about every angle has been covered.

The book concludes with a section devoted to colors and markings starting on page 72. There are color profiles of 9 M50s and 3 M51s. The markings changed after the 1956 war due to the expansion of the IDF Armored Corps.

Conclusion

This is a fine book for anyone interested in modeling the M50 and M51 Shermans, especially the former.