M551A2 Sheridan

[lombardoslegion]

This is a great write up. I am defin itely going to use this in my game.

[pmulcahy11b]

Somewhere along the line (mid-1980s, IIRC), experiments were done with the turret of the M-551 replaced with the turret of the Cadillac Gage Stingray. It was designed as a competitor in the quest to come up with a replacement for the M-551, but I don't think the project went beyond prototype state. (TR had it on his site.)

[jester]

Thats a good write up, one of the things I like about the game, the modifications one can make to vehicles.

I would also think there would be a return to armored cars as well like the old style M-8 of WWII with some modern upgrades. Just a standard scout car with a big gun and coax as a cheap alternative to adding something to the post war vehicle assembly line.

The write up also got me thinking of how long such a makeover would take. I am thinking of my time in the Brigade motortransport maintenance section, and the time it took to refit standard rolling vehicles humvees and dueces and a few others. I am thinking with all the changes and all the assets available one could have it done in about a week from start to finish. Of course they would be working in stages, one gang doing the prep work, one doing the weapons, one the electrical, one the drive train, one the armor and one the finish work. Alot of them being doing simulatiniously, while others when done after a day or half a day will begin the next vehicle, I would say again under optimal conditions a week to 5 days with all the personel, equipment, shop facilities and replacement parts.

It makes me think what other vehicles we could change or upgrade.

[Abbott Shaull]

You know it always amused while in the 82nd Airborne Division that we had an Airborne Deployable Tank Battalion. I always thought it would be easier to take an airfield that was capable of C-5s and C-17s to land and off load M1s if you needed serious Anti-Tank capabilities. Yes, I know it expensive and move, as well as costly to supply this way, but I always thought when you need the best weapon, bring them to you, if you can. Otherwise pray that the Anti-Tank systems that were airdropped in with the Division work as stated in theory.

With that said, it does look like it would fit in nicely as an alternative, to give units tool to use. Making the vehicle that was practical purposes.

[Raellus]

Chalk, as such a big Sheridan fan, I recommend that you pick up a copy of Osprey's title on the subject. There is some stuff in there also on the various vehicles intended to replace the Sheridan (none of which actually "made it").
I've thumbed through it a couple of times at the local bookstore and it looks pretty cool.

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/stor..._9781846033919

Amazon has it too. And no, I don't work for Osprey. Wish I did, sometimes!

I like your idea, BTW.

Anyone know if the U.S. has any other older AFVs sitting around (c. '97 or before) in decent enough conidition to return to active service (probably in the CONUS only, but who knows) either as-is or modified in like fashion? I'm thinking of M60s, M48s, Cadilac Gage armored cars.

[ChalkLine]

I've got a bunch of stuff on Sheridans, I downloaded the user manual for them the other day

For a good idea of what can be done with older kit we only have to look to Israel and South Africa in the 70s and 80s. Israel isn't such a good indicator now as they're the 3rd biggest arms exporters, but prior to this they never threw anything away.

Vehicles such as the AMX-30, Leopard 1, M60 are all good vehicles for official upgrade. The European states had a plethora of little armoured cars, light tracked vehicles and so on such as the Panhards, the various Unimog-based armoured cars, and a lot of light tracked vehicles. The Stormer is a Scorpion upgraded for today's wars, and a good yardstick on how old vehicles could be upgraded.

[Dog 6]

Love it, but don't forget the 105 how's HEAT round.

have you worked up a TOE/obo for the 4 Cavalry Divisions you have?

I've done something like this with the 639 M-47's we had. added all new kit and a M-68 main gun.