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Armor/AFV: IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]
Armor and AFVs of the IDF army from 1947-today.
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IDF M48 Query ...
pbennett
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United Kingdom
Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 464 posts
Armorama: 412 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2019 - 09:43 AM UTC
I note that the M48 Patton was fitted with T97E2 tracks. Would it be feasible to replace these with the octagonal block tracks if I were modelling an IDF version of the tank? Also, I have read that the 'Urdan'cupola was actually taken from the Sherman tank ... correct? (if so, which version of the Sherman?)
bots1141
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 14, 2013
KitMaker: 318 posts
Armorama: 313 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2019 - 10:11 AM UTC
The Urban cupola was a version of the M1 Chrysler cupola. Before the Urdan, some M48s had the Vision cupola installed from the Sharman tank. I don't know anything about the tracks.
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2019 - 12:40 PM UTC
What time frame are you thinking of?

The T97 tracks were on all IDF M48's up to the time of the 1973 Yom Kipper war. The new T-142's were introduced in the early 1970's and could be fitted after that time. Given the IDF's habit of using the tracks 'til they were completely worn out, it might be unlikely.
RLlockie
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United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2013
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 938 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2019 - 06:40 PM UTC
The Urdan (manufactured by Urdan Industries) cupola was locally designed and built and did not come from an M4. Conceptually it bears some similarity to the cupola on the US M1 MBT series (the lid can be horizontal while the hatch is open) but other than that they are completely different.
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