Israeli Heavy Metal in Chicago (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Thanks Terry mate,
My research has come up with 3 tanks per tank platoon and 3 platoons made up a tank company. The four companies made the battalion and three battalion to the armoured brigade. As you mentioned there is not much intel available compared to other Nations. I think I will go with a three K&C Israeli Centurion Tank Platoon. I have discovered that the rings around the gun barrel represent which battalion the tank belonged to and the V of the side skirts turned in four directions represents which of the four tank companies it belongs too.
Once again thanks for your heads up. Look forward to catching up in 2020 at the 40th Anniversary of the Chicago TS Show. Retirement is a great thing.

Cheers Howard

No worries Howard...I've already asked Christy to reserve your 3x Israeli Centurions!!!

As for retirement...Speaking personally, I may have to wait another decade or two before I think about it...

And also remember what the great Groucho Marx said,"You're only as old as the women you feel!"
All the best,
Andy.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Thanks Terry mate,
My research has come up with 3 tanks per tank platoon and 3 platoons made up a tank company. The four companies made the battalion and three battalion to the armoured brigade. As you mentioned there is not much intel available compared to other Nations. I think I will go with a three K&C Israeli Centurion Tank Platoon. I have discovered that the rings around the gun barrel represent which battalion the tank belonged to and the V of the side skirts turned in four directions represents which of the four tank companies it belongs too.
Once again thanks for your heads up. Look forward to catching up in 2020 at the 40th Anniversary of the Chicago TS Show. Retirement is a great thing.

Cheers Howard

Before you make a final decision, I don't feel comfortable with 3 tanks in a platoon. Israel has recently discussed (debated) going with a 3 tank platoon. In the early days there were 3 tanks in a platoon but that was before Centurions. You may need 4 tanks. I'll see what I can dig up.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Here is a photo of a Merkava tank from Sept 13, 2015. The markings on the tank include 2 rings on the gun (2nd Battalion) ; Company unknown (Chevron not visible); 1st Platoon (single hash mark on right front of tank); 4TH tank ( Dalet - 4th letter of Hebrew alphabet next to hash mark on right front of tank and two big Dalet marks on the rear of the turret). This tank was in a four tank Platoon several years ago. If I find a Centurion with a Dalet, I will post it

 

[Phantom Warrior]

IDF tank formations.

THE BEGIN-SADAT CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES

BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY
Mideast Security and Policy Studies No. 150


Post WWII most armies had tank units based on platoons of five tanks to have two separate fire and movement sections with the platoon leader going where needed. The original IDF tank unit structure was developed specifically for open desert warfare. An IDF tank Company had 11 tanks in three Platoons of three tanks each plus two HQ tanks.

By 1967 (Six Day War) each tank Brigade consisted of two tank Battalions and an Armoured Infantry Battalion. A tank Battalion was comprised of two Tank Companies each consisting of 14 tanks organized in three Platoons of four tanks each plus two HQ tanks. So by the time the Centurions came into use, IDF tank Platoons had four tanks.

After the Six Day War the tank formations were reorganized. Most Tank Brigades were increased to three tank Battalions with each Battalion having three tank Companies and an Armoured Infantry Company. Tank Platoons still had four tanks and has remained so through the Yom Kippur War until very recently with the IDF considering /implemented??? three tank Platoons for the Merkava.

While Platoon structure has remained stable, there has been frequent and substantial reorganizations in the OOB of higher level units.

Terry