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The US Sherman tank saw extensive combat in WWII and was a staple foreign aid tool for the US afterwards. While of decreasing value in the US, some countries, Israel in particular, once with the tank in inventory began to look for ways to increase the long-term value of their investment and the importance of the early 1940 design.
From early efforts just to keep the tanks combat-able, to major modifications, conversions for other purposes to the remake and remarketing of the Sherman on their own, Israeli Sherman covers it all. Extensive research from Israeli sources has opened up the information fountain on the Sherman in Israeli service.
Chapters include:

First Israeli Sherman
Setting the record straight as Meir as the first Sherman and clarifying some of the confusion surrounding Tamar, this chapter details how the tanks were acquired, their refit and what is known of their operational history. Although not much photographic evidence is available, photos of both Meir and Tamar highlight this chapter.

Early Sherman
The fledgling Israeli Armoured Corps was formed around the 82nd Tank Battalion, 7th Armoured Brigade and Shermans in greater numbers started arriving from a variety of sources. Mostly later model 75 mm tanks along with some 105 mm vehicles as well. Combining operational photos, historical IDF shots along with museum and restored vehicle photos you can see the development of the tank and how the Israelis looked to keep a WWII tank relevant on the battlefield 20 years later.

M50/M51 Series
This is what most people think of when they think about Israeli Shermans. Great historic background on the development of the program and how it evolved. Again, a great selection of photos from various sources take the reader through the tank’s development including operational photos from 1967 and a few from 1973 and with the Christian Lebanonese. A very nice selection of photos, perfect for scale modeling and detailing purposes are combined with a comprehensive look at the interior as well.

Israeli “Panzerstellung”
After the Six Day War, the Israelis began building bunkers along the new and exisiting borders for defenseive purposes. Some of those bunkers mounted tank turrets—in most cases captured T-34/85 and Shermans—and in some cases, entire tanks were placed as fixed bunkers. A very nice study of some of the tanks and turrets including several photos showing the surrounding trench and wall arrangements.

Self-Propelled Guns
Necessity is the mother of invention and the Israelis took that to heart. When the need mobile artillery and funding and politics wouldn’t allow normal acquisition, they made their own by modifying what they had—and Shermans are what they had a lot of. The early years they employed standard M7 Priests but later they began putting 155 mm guns in several configurations as well as 160 mm mortars as well. Several of the vehicle interiors are illustrated. Other self-propelled vehicles include the M10 tank destroyer and several rocket-launching versions.

Recovery Vehicles
What can run can also break and armored recovery vehicles are the tow trucks of the battlefield. Even the Israeli M32 Sherman-based recovery vehicles were modified in their own way. The also built a recovery vehicle from an indigenous design with a larger and heavier boom.

Specialty Shermans
As if everything else wasn’t enough, this chapter covers cherry picker observation vehicles, a driver training tank, two versions of an ambutank (ambulance), a target tank, and a flail mine clearing tank.

Where Are They Now?
With Shermans elsewhere in the world and such a viable upgrade design, it was natural to try and find export customers. However, for various reasons, they found little success. Chile was the only customer of note, ordering 65 total. At least 20 were delivered and it seems unclear whether the others ever were. A great look at the vehicle in Chilean marking and use.

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