Sho't
Sho't | |
---|---|
Type | Main battle tank |
Place of origin | Israel |
Service history | |
In service | 1963–2002 |
Used by | Israel Defense Forces |
Wars | |
Specifications | |
Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
Main armament | |
Secondary armament |
|
Engine |
|
Transmission |
|
Suspension | Horstmann |
Sho't (
Versions
Sho't Meteor
Sho't Meteors are made up of Mark 3, Mark 5, and Mark 8 Centurion tanks with the original Rolls-Royce Meteor engine and the 105mm Royal Ordnance L7 cannon. These tanks received minor additional upgrades and modifications by the Israel Defense Forces in earlier improvement programs for the tank.[4] Baring many original similarities to the British Centurions, they were not as heavily modified as the Sho't Kal would later be. Two main significant modifications were installed during Israeli Centurions' service that would make the Sho't Meteor, the replacement of the 84mm 20-pounder cannon with the 105mm L7 cannon, and the addition of an exterior rear fuel tank which greatly improved the range of the Sho't.[5] The Sho't Meteor would be distinct for these two main modifications. Sho't Meteors only started to be referred to as Meteors when the Sho't Kal was introduced, in order to differentiate the tanks.[6] Before that, the normal name, "Sho't" would simply apply to the tanks. "Sho't" is still used as a standard common nickname when referring to any type of Sho't variant. The Sho't Meteor was not limited to, but was used extensively in the Six-Day War, and as well saw partial combat in the Yom Kippur War.[1]
Sho't Kal Series
The Sho't Kal variants comprise of modernized Centurion Mark, 3, 5, and 8 tanks with all the variants including significant mechanical upgrades, such as the new engines (Continental AVDS-1790-2AC and 2AG diesel engines), and a new Allison CD-850-6 transmission.[1] The addition "Kal" refers to the abbreviation of the engine manufacturer Continental, originally notated in Hebrew as "שוטקל" and transliterated as "sho'tqal". Kal in Hebrew as well means, "easy", since the modifications of the Sho't Kals made day-to-day life easier for the crew members serving in them.[7] The names for the four main Sho't Kal variants are derivative from the Hebrew alphabet, with the four variants being the first four letters of the alphabet: Alef, Bet, Gimel, and Dalet. All the Sho't Kal variants are an upgrade and advancement of the previous version before them; keeping all previous components, with the only exception of them being replaced, or removed for a specific reason.
The Sho't Kal entered service in 1970 with Alef, and by 1974 all Israeli Centurions and Sho't Meteors were upgraded to Sho't Kal standard. Subvariants indicate upgrades received by Sho't Kal tanks during their operational life, including a new turret rotating mechanism, a new gun stabilization system, a new fire-control system, preparations for the installation of the Blazer reactive armor, and more.
Sho't Kal Alef
Being the first version of the Sho't Kal series introduced in 1969, the tank only started to be referred as the Alef when the Sho't Kal Bet was introduced in 1975, with the Sho't Kal series annexing more variants. The Alef was a major upgrade from the Sho't Meteor, which was factored mostly by the new
The
Sho't Kal Bet
Introduced in 1975, the Sho't Kal Bet was the second variant of the Sho't Kal series and saw extensive usage in Operation Litani which occurred in 1978.[16] The Sho't Kal Bet received a new hydro-electric turret traverse mechanism that was based on the mechanism in the M48 Patton tank due to the old electric British turret control being concluded as problematic;[1][16] however, only one brigade of Sho't Kal Bets were suited with the new turret traverse mechanism, with it being a partial solution.[1] The Sho't Kal Bet begun the trend of the loader receiving a .30 caliber machine gun mounted closely to the loader's hatch, which is apparent on many pictures and videos of the Bet in Operation Litani. Some Bets initially came with IS-10 smoke launcher mounts, and most came with mounting point preparations for ERA; by the end of its service, most Bets were equipped with Blazer (called Baltan in the IDF) Explosive Reactive Armor and IS-10 smoke launchers. Reactive armor covered most parts of the tank's front, turret, and upper sides. However, ERA was not used as commonly as it was with the Sho't Kal Gimel, due to certain Bets receiving it near the end of its service life.
Sho't Kal Gimel
The Sho't Kal Gimel was manufactured in 1979 and used in service by the early 1980's, being fully equipped with Blazer (Baltan)
Sho't Kal Dalet
The Sho't Kal Dalet started production in 1984, being the last production variant of the Sho't Kals. The 105mm
Sho't Kal Hey
The Sho't Kal Hey was an attempt to install the Gal fire-control system into the Sho't Kal Dalet.[1] It was a prototype that never entered service.
Combat history
The Sho't tank served in the
The Sho't was also used in the 1978 and 1982 invasions of Lebanon.[17][18]
Operators
See also
- Nagmasho't / Nagmachon / Nakpadon – Israeli heavy armoured personnel carriers based on Centurion tank's chassis.
- Puma armored engineering vehicle – Israeli combat engineering vehicle on Centurion tank chassis.
- Centurion tank– British tank from which the Sho't is derived.
- Olifant tank – Heavily modified Centurion used by South Africa as the country's main battle tank.
References
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mass, Michael (March 20, 2005). "נו טוף". fresh.co.il. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Manasherob 2009, p. 3.
- ISBN 0-671-00974-5.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Manasherob 2009, pp. 13, 19.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, p. 1.
- ^ a b c d "Sho't Main Battle Tank (1970)". Tank Encyclopedia's Archives. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, p. 19.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, pp. 47–48.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, pp. 17–32.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, p. 13.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, p. 46.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, p. 32.
- ^ "The British Centurion Tank (Medium) FV4011". Fighting-Vehicles.com. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ Lovell, Shane. "Australian Centurions in Vietnam - additional information". Mouse House Enterprises. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Manasherob 2009, pp. 19, 31.
- ^ a b c d e קלו, ניסים. "חיל החימוש מציג את אמצעי הלחימה החדשים שפותחו על ידו - שנת 1979". www.himush.co.il. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
- ^ Noble, Barnes &. "Centurion Main Battle Tank: 1946 to present|Hardcover". Barnes & Noble.
- ISBN 9781473828391– via Google Books.
- Bibliography
- Manasherob, Robert (2009). Centurion Tanks of the IDF, Sho't Kal Alef Vol. 3. SabIngaMartin. ISBN 978-0-9841437-0-2.