NVG153cover.qxd:Layout 1 27/11/08 10:16 Page 1 NEW VANGUARD • 153 The design, development, operation and history of the machinery of warfare through the ages NEW VANGUARD • 153 • VANGUARD NEW M551 SHERIDAN M551 SHERIDAN US Airmobile Tanks 1941–2001 US Airmobile Tanks 1941–2001 M551 Since the advent of airmobile warfare, there have been numerous SHERIDAN SHERIDAN attempts to support paratroopers with attached armored vehicles. This book tells the story of the US experience with airmobile 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, before it rounds out the story by examining the failed attempts to replace the Sheridan with other armored vehicles. Full color artwork Illustrations Unrivaled detail Cutaway artwork US $17.95 / CAN $19.95 STEVEN J ZALOGA ISBN 978-1-84603-391-9 OSPREY 51795 PUBLISHING 9 781846 033919 O SPREY WWW.OSPREYPUBLISHING.COM STEVEN J ZALOGA ILLUSTRATED BY TONY BRYAN © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com NVG153title.qxd:Layout 1 26/11/08 11:39 Page 1 NEW VANGUARD • 153 M551 SHERIDAN US Airmobile Tanks 1941–2001 STEVEN J ZALOGA ILLUSTRATED BY TONY BRYAN © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com NVG153_PAGEScorrex2.qxd:NVG153 9/4/09 16:15 Page 2 First published in Great Britain in 2009 by Osprey Publishing, AUTHOR’S NOTE Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford, OX2 0PH, UK The author would especially like to thank Colonel Russ Vaughan (USAR – 443 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016, USA Ret’d) for his help with the photos for this book and for sharing his E-mail:
[email protected] recollections of the Sheridan from his service with the 2nd Armored Cavalry and 82nd Airborne divisions.