Israeli tech tree for World of Tanks proposal by PikPikker

Historically, the Sherman and its variants were the workhorses of the IDF for more than two decades. The first M4 Shermans to reach Israel were bought by the Jewish quartermasters from some scrapyard in Italy. They had their weapons removed by the Allies and so the first tanks to arrive in Israel were rearmed with salvaged 75mm Krupp howitzers (they were the M4A3 variant). Later, these would be upgraded back to the M4A3 Sherman standard. These tanks fought in the 1948 Independence War and when it ended, only 14 of 35 purchased remained operational.

The M-1 Sherman (sometimes called "Super Sherman", though the name is generally associated with M-50 variants) was the mainstay of the IDF forces in the 50's. Most of the Israeli M1 Shermans seem to be the M4A1 variants, but there are also pictures of the M4A3E8 and even some M4A4 variants with custom-mounted E8 suspensions. Generally, the M1 variant was in service until the late 50's, when the Shermans were converted into the M50 Super Sherman standard.

The origin of the program started in 1953 when an Israeli delegation visited France to examine the promising AMX-13 light tank. Although they were not convinced by the thin armor of the vehicle, the gun attracted their interest. Eventually, the Israeli government decided to purchase no less than 400 of these and to devise a mobility-based tactical use alongside the Shermans in service. These tanks would serve extensively during the Sinai campaign. The AMX-13 gun being the high-velocity 75 mm gun CN 75-50 (a development of the German 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 of the Panther tank), it was decided to rearm a large portion of the Shermans in the inventory with this piece of ordnance. An order was placed in France in 1955 and an experimental marriage of a M4A1(76) turret with the new gun was shipped in Israel to be tested. The next year, in March 1956, the Israeli Ordnance Corps began conversions in new facilities with the large supplies of the French gun purchased in the meantime.

The result of this conversion was named officially Sherman M-50, although it was also known outside Israel as the “Super Sherman”. This marriage looked like the ww2 British Firefly in essence and had similar performances. The old 1944 M4(75) turret was kept but a large counterweight was added to the rear of the basket. A first batch of 50 conversions on M4A4(76)s was delivered all with VVSS suspensions and Continental R-975 gasoline engines. But these were not especially successful. The weight of the gun added some stress on the engine, resulting in breakdowns, as well as compromised the stability and reduced mobility. So the next conversions were all performed on Diesel versions (Cummins V-8 460 horsepower) and HVSS suspensions. For this reasons, these conversion batches were known as the M-50 Continental or Mk.I and M-50 Cummins or Mk.II. In total 300 Sherman tanks were so converted into M50 until 1964.

M-50 tanks were used in the Suez Crisis (1956), the Six Days War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973).

The origin of the program started in 1953 when an Israeli delegation visited France to examine the promising AMX-13 light tank. Although they were not convinced by the thin armor of the vehicle, the gun attracted their interest. Eventually, the Israeli government decided to purchase no less than 400 of these and to devise a mobility-based tactical use alongside the Shermans in service. These tanks would serve extensively during the Sinai campaign. The AMX-13 gun being the high-velocity 75 mm gun CN 75-50 (a development of the German 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 of the Panther tank), it was decided to rearm a large portion of the Shermans in the inventory with this piece of ordnance. An order was placed in France in 1955 and an experimental marriage of a M4A1(76) turret with the new gun was shipped in Israel to be tested. The next year, in March 1956, the Israeli Ordnance Corps began conversions in new facilities with the large supplies of the French gun purchased in the meantime.

The result of this conversion was named officially Sherman M-50, although it was also known outside Israel as the “Super Sherman”. This marriage looked like the ww2 British Firefly in essence and had similar performances. The old 1944 M4(75) turret was kept but a large counterweight was added to the rear of the basket. A first batch of 50 conversions on M4A4(76)s was delivered all with VVSS suspensions and Continental R-975 gasoline engines. But these were not especially successful. The weight of the gun added some stress on the engine, resulting in breakdowns, as well as compromised the stability and reduced mobility. So the next conversions were all performed on Diesel versions (Cummins V-8 460 horsepower) and HVSS suspensions. For this reasons, these conversion batches were known as the M-50 Continental or Mk.I and M-50 Cummins or Mk.II. In total 300 Sherman tanks were so converted into M50 until 1964.

M-50 tanks were used in the Suez Crisis (1956), the Six Days War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973).

In the 1960s, 180 Sherman tanks received the even more powerful French 105 mm Modèle F1 gun. The barrel length of the gun was reduced from 56 caliber to 44 and it was equipped with a unique double-baffle muzzle brake; ammunition was altered to use a smaller cartridge. In Israel the gun was designated M-51 and the tank the Sherman M-51. M4A1 hulls and the larger T23 turrets (from 76 mm armed Shermans) were used for the conversion. All tanks were fitted with Cummins diesel engines and HVSS suspension. The tank was displayed to the public for the first time during the Independence Day ceremony in 1965.

Both the M-50 and M-51 saw combat in the Six-Day War that left the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and the Sinai peninsula in Israeli hands, often fighting against Soviet World War II-era armor like the T-34-85 (for example at the Battle of Abu-Ageila). Both were also employed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War alongside and against much more modern tanks. The use of such seemingly obsolete tanks was necessary given the desperate nature of the fighting. In combat against the Arab armies, the M-51 proved itself capable of fighting newer, heavier tanks like the Soviet-built T-54/55/T-62. The M-51's 105 mm gun could penetrate these adversaries using HEAT ammunition. The M-51 served well during its time, and is regarded as an excellent example of how an obsolete tank (the Sherman) can be upgraded beyond the limits of its original capabilities.

About 100 of the remaining tanks of this model were sold to Chile in the late 1980s. Some of those were fitted with the IMI-OTO 60 mm Hyper Velocity Medium Support (HVMS) gun. This variant was never used by the IDF. Chile used its Shermans until 1999, when they were replaced by the Leopard 1.

This is not even actually a prototype of Merkava, but a testbed for a future tank with rear turret. A hull of Centurion was rebuilt and its turret (without armament) was used. It's supposed to be built before 1970. The next stage of development was installing Magach (M48) turret on an improved hull, so the whole conception of rear-turreted tank turned out to be successful for all the Merkava's later.

The next, actually, pre-prototype stage of Merkava (built somewhere before 1970 as well), but this time with functional turret and armament from M48 Patton (or Magach if it's Israeli). Seems to be the last stage before the actual Merkava Prototype with its own turret. It's still more like a testbed than something called prototype.

The British Centurions, first delivered in the late 1950s were renamed “Sho’t” (“scourge” or “whip”), modified and upgraded soon after their acquisition. This started with the Mark III still equipped with a 20 pounder main guns, and up-gunned to the new locally produced 105 mm based on the British ROF L7 as soon as it was available. The cupola ring was modified to accommodate a heavy cal.50 on an AA mount. The engine was kept as it was, earning the name (later on) for these unmodified vehicles of “Sho”t Meteor”. Other detailed modifications comprised an improved fire extinguishing system, better electrical systems and brakes, and increased fuel capacity.

The Sh’ot Kal (1974) (which stands for “Continental” simplified in “Cal”) can be distinguished easily by its raised rear deck, so to accommodate a bigger, more efficient American diesel engine. Indeed, they all have a new Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine coupled with an Allison CD850-6 transmission. This also in turn helped commonality with the M48/M60s fleet and maintenance. In addition, they were fitted with American radios plus a 7.62 mm caliber GMPG preferably to their Browning cal.30 on a tailored commander’s cupola arm, or in alternative a heavier 12.7 mm browning M2HB caliber HMG which was also present on a forward center-line mount over the mantlet.

Most importantly a new turret rotating mechanism was fitted, a new gun stabilizer, the fire control system as a whole was locally modernized, the sights also (new IR sights), the glacis armour and turret front were thickened by add-on layers, and later received provisions for the new explosive reactive armour (ERA) Blazer package, also on the glacis and turret front. Ultimately a roomier ammunition layout was used to increase ammo storage. An extra turret basket was added on the back and new smoke dischargers were also added to the turret later protected by armored covers and new commander’s cupola (from the Gimel in 1982).

The Shot tank only served in the Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur war in 1973; one of them, belonging to the 188th Armor Brigade, was operated by Captain Zvika Greengold, an Israeli tank ace. However, as all tanks in the opening days of the 1973 Yom Kippur war, it proved exceedingly vulnerable to Soviet made weapons such as the RPG-2, RPG-7, and briefcase Sagger guided missile, weapons which the Egyptians used in large numbers in the crossing of the Bar Lev line. It is estimated that the Israeli armed forces lost up to 40% of their southern armored groups during the first two days of the war, highlighting the necessity for infantry support to armoured groups, culminating in the Merkava main battle tanks being equipped with rear troop bays.

A proposed upgrade for Israeli Centurions by installing 120 mm L11 gun on them. No built units are known.

In 1967 Israel captured up to 820 T-54 and T-55 tanks from Syria and Egypt. About 200 of them were operative and other had to be repaired. The same year these vehicles were fixed and entered the service. Designation of T-54/T-55 tanks:

In 1980's most of the tanks were sold or converted into Achzarit APC (but some T-54/55 tanks still were in service even in 2009). These tanks took part in War of Attrition (1967-70), Yom Kippur War (1973), 1982 Lebanon War.

In 1967 Israel captured up to 820 T-54 and T-55 tanks from Syria and Egypt. About 200 of them were operative and other had to be repaired. The same year these vehicles were fixed and entered the service. Designation of T-54/T-55 tanks:

In 1980's most of the tanks were sold or converted into Achzarit APC (but some T-54/55 tanks still were in service even in 2009). These tanks took part in War of Attrition (1967-70), Yom Kippur War (1973), 1982 Lebanon War.