Osprey New Vanguard Series

#153: M551 Sheridan: US Airmobile Tanks 1941-2001

by  Steve Zaloga / Illustrated by Tony Bryan

Reviewed By  Gilbert Honanie, IPMS# 44417

MSRP: $17.95 ISBN: 978-1-84603-391-9 Website: www.ospreypublishing.com Steve Zaloga’s newest addition to the bookshelf is all about the M551 Sheridan. The M551 was plagued with many issues from the start of production ranging from its lack of adequate armor to its experimental main weapon. This book begins as the U.S. Army is trying to find a lightweight tank that could be parachute dropped with paratroops. During World War II, the T-9 and M22 were developed as suitable vehicles, but the T-9 had technical problems. The M22 was considered but saw limited action with the British Army. The post-war years introduced the M41 Walker bulldog and the new experimental T-92 Airborne Tank. Neither filled the weight, parachute, and amphibious capabilities the Army was looking for and thus began the development of the Sheridan. M551 Sheridan contains the history and development of that new tank along with the issues that plagued it. Also detailed are the developers’ attempts at fixing the various issues that surrounded the new AFV. From the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of Saudi Arabia (and the use of the Sheridan as visual war game aid), the author explains the uniqueness of the vehicle and the attempt at modifying and up-gunning the Sheridan to keep it viable. This 48-page, softcover book has 34 black-and-white photos, seven color photos with nine illustrations and one cut-away drawing of the Sheridan. I would recommend this book to everyone as it contains some insight on how ambitious (and anxious) the Army was to get ahead of the German and, later, Soviet threats it faced. It is also recommended for modelers as it contains several reference pictures (exterior & turret interior) of the Sheridan with photos of pre- and post-production vehicles and vismods. I would like to thank Osprey Publishing for the book and the IPMS/USA for allowing me to read and review this book.