IDF Sho’t Kal Gimel 1982

Sho`t Kal tanks entered service in IDF in 1970. Its number was over 1000 before the Yom Kippur War broke out in 1973. Most of Sho`t Kal tanks were deployed in armor brigades located in the northern Israel. When the war broke out on 6th October 1973, IDF 188th and 7th armor divisions defended Golan Height and held the surprise attack of Syrian armor divisions. During four days of battles in Golan Height, IDF lost about 200 Sho`t  Kal tanks and caused Syrian forces heavy losses. The most importantly, it bought precious time for regrouping reserve troops and preparing counterattack.

After Yom Kippur War ended, IDF received M60A3 and Mercava Mk.I tanks and still continually upgraded Sho`t Kal tanks which were still in service. Control mechanisms of turret were upgraded in 1976. It was called Sho`t Kal B (Sho`t Kal Bet) after this upgrade. After went through a series of battles, IDF established their tank design standards which emphasized personnel protection.  Consequently , Sho`t Kal tanks were later equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA) which was very effective against shape charge warheads called Sho`t Kal C (Sho`t Gimel). It was the first time that ERA was used in the battlefield in 1982 Lebanon War.

In the urban battles of Beirut, many Sho`t Kal tanks were hit by rocket-propelled grenades  (RPG)  and they still maintained their combat capabilities because of protection of explosive reactive armor. In the 1984, Sho`t Kal tanks with upgraded explosive reactive armor were called Sho`t Kal D (Sho`t Kal Dalet) and they served in IDF until late 1980s.

And another one, that I have finished few months ago for publishing in Scale Military Modeller International. Sho't Kal Gimel from AFV Club in 1/35. Nice kit. Painting was made with Ammo of Mig Jimenez, pigments, washes and other weathering stuff. Extra equipment from my favorite Value Gear Details. I hope you like it.

cheers