New Vanguard 153, M551 Sheridan: US Airmobile Tanks 1941-2001

Osprey Publishing Description:

Since the advent of airmobile warfare, there have been numerous attempts to support paratroopers with attached armored vehicles. This book tells the story of the US experience with air-mobile tanks, starting with their efforts in World War II. However, full success was not achieved until the production of the M551 Sheridan. The history of this tank provides the focal point of this book, highlighting the difficulties of combining heavy firepower in a chassis light enough for airborne delivery. The book examines its controversial debut in Vietnam, and its subsequent combat history in Panama and Operation Desert Storm. It rounds out the story by examining the failed attempts to replace the Sheridan with other armored vehicles.

Review:

"One of the world's foremost armor experts, Steven Zaloga, applies his formidable archives to the American airborne tank in M551 Sheridan."


"This is a small book, but it contains an awful lot of information. It is well illustrated with both color and black & white photographs. It also talks about other tanks intended for airborne use, both those that went before the Sheridan and those that followed."


"Zaloga does his usual superb job of telling the fascinating story of this rather unique vehicle and its predecessors. Thanks to a fine selection of photographs as well as the outstanding illustrations of Tony Bryan, we get to see how the M551 changed from first development to the end of its career. Another superb addition to the New Vanguard series and one that I am sure you will enjoy. Buy with confidence."