IDF Tank Poll (1 Viewer)

[Blowtorch]

What would you like to see as a flagship tank offering for the peviously discussed (and hypothetical) Arab/Israeli line? I kept the poll options limited to novel items from the 1956, 1967, and 1973 wars. If you think something else should be the flagship offering, select 'other' & let us know what it is.

 

[storch]

I don't see what's the point of having a line of israeli military equipment. Aside from the Merkava, which is a very distinctive tank, everything else they have used is American equipment or unlicensed versions of other countries military hardware. Now if what you want is have Shermans and Pattons with different national markings, that's a different matter.

 

[Deitz]

I would like to see a Merkava.

 

[nysoldiers]

I would like to see a Merkava as well.........

 

[glossman]

*
The Merkava MBT please.

 

[Spitfrnd]

I think an upgraded Centurian would be most impressive but you have to love that Merkava.

 

[binder001]

Merkava is an interesting re-think of tank design but it was too late for service in te 1967 or 73 combats.

As to "they used everybody elses' equipment", that is an oversimplification. They gathered stuff from all over and ended up modifying it (often greatly) to their needs.

I chose the upgraded Centurion because it is 1) a classic and 2) an example of the Israelis taking an OK tank and making it a great combat vehicle.

Gary B.

 

[glossman]

Merkava is an interesting re-think of tank design but it was too late for service in te 1967 or 73 combats.

As to "they used everybody elses' equipment", that is an oversimplification. They gathered stuff from all over and ended up modifying it (often greatly) to their needs.

I chose the upgraded Centurion because it is 1) a classic and 2) an example of the Israelis taking an OK tank and making it a great combat vehicle.

Gary B.

Hi Gary B.

Thanks very much for your post.

The Merkava Mk I entered service in 1979, long after the 1967 “6 Day War” and the 1973 “Yom Kippur” Conflict.

The current Merkava Mk IV has come a long way since then.

I agree. The IDF modified the Centurion into a pretty awesome tank.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[storch]

I don't think that it is "oversimplification" to say that the Israelis simply borrowed (or stole) other nations' weapons systems. Putting a sand filter on a Patton cannot be called a technological breakthrough. Every country that buys a weapon system from another country is going to do some adaptations. That does not mean that it is a new model. For example, the Kaffir is a copy of the Mirage, built by the Israelis without license. It looks a little different, but it is not "new" airplane. I think that the Merkava is really an original creation that took into consideration the particular military needs of the israeli army, and the newest model is quite impressive in terms of performance.

 

[Blowtorch]

I wouldn't agree that the Israeli modifications were trivial. Let's face it, I think any Shermanophile would love an M51...even if that was the only release. The tank was so revered by the veterans that they practically had to be crowbarred out of them when the government finally got Centurions.

The Centurion Shot was equally the ultimate expression of the most used & successful tank of the Cold War...the Patton Magach was so successful that the US rebuilt their entire M48 fleet to those specs in the 1970s.

The Israeli tank corps was a pretty elite outfit back then...their battles well studied in all military colleges. US & Israeli foreign policy in the middle east is another matter for me...but when I just look at the soldiers & professionalism (as I do the Germans & Soviets), I would be happy to collect those little guys.

 

[DCN1898]

I think that the M51 is The iconic Israeli tank IMHO. The up gunned Centurian is a very close second and you couldn't go wrong with that release either.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

An upgraded Centurion would be my first choice.

Terry

 

[RoughRider]

The correct term is improvision. The Marines live and die by it. Every military in the world that is worthy of the name takes the best ideas, technology and equipment and makes its better for their own use and purposes.

 

[1879fanatic]

Calm down folks!
I vote for the big M, and the older Sherms...and some surplus jeeps for my fave Dayan to ride in!
Mike

 

[Spitfrnd]

Now that you mention it, I change my vote to a line of "ancient warriors to complement the Egyptian line: some Assyrians, Hittites or Persians." That is a fascinating period of history and I guess I need to catch up on the new discoveries. What would you suggest as a good place to start?

 

[kilted vampire]

I know how about some more Crusaders? Hopefully the politics will abide now. Too many good people have fought over that wretched piece of real estate for far too long. I would like to see peace break out all over there but, that is a dream.....

As for the Tank anyone have any pictures?

 

[DCN1898]

The battle of Kadesh! It is probably the most well documented!

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Centurions. Simmo

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Political comments have been removed. Keep to the topic without straying into politics. Any further political statements will be removed from the thread as will the poster.