Modelers looked at different schemes for their models and many considered the Middle East.

While
there are many books of this theater of battle, not many concentrate on the particular vehicle in
question. Some of the most interesting vehicles in the theater are the various Sherman medium tanks
used by the IDF. SabingaMartin has published two references on the First and Early tanks.

In the Priority Mail envelope, I found a soft cover book measuring 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall
and 80 glossy pages within the two heavy cardstock glossy covers. It utilizes perfect binding which
will probably be damaged thanks to the heavy use I am planning for it. The covers do have an
intentional crease parallel to the spine to allow them to be spread out.

Color is used throughout except on the tonal photos. Gone are the sepia tones some had to them.
Flipping through, I saw many period photos, color detail photos, scale plans, and color profiles. I
prepared myself a cup of coffee and sat down to read the text.

Once I was past the color cover design, the inner cover provided some details of the labor of love this
book is for Dr. Robert Manasherob. The name of the publishing company is based on the names of his
children. They are listed in the acknowledgments along with many others who helped.

What follows are 258 photos, 60 of which are tonal photos with 198 walk-around photographs being in
color. The tonal photos are clear and in several cases show details which are usually censored. While
they are in a chronological order, with excellent captions that go in depth, they do not necessarily
follow the text.

The text goes into detail about the Sherman tanks being brought to Israel after the 1948 war. The use
of the vehicles is also covered in detail which makes for great inspiration given the amount of period
photographs included in this tome.

The color section contains 198 photos covering every imaginable detail of the Sherman howitzer turret,
radial engine deck, big hatch hull, and VVS suspension images not included in the first book.

Arkadiusz Wróbel’s artwork includes five color profiles and scrap views of markings found on the
early IDF Shermans. These include some whimsical Disney character which I hope are released as a
decal sheet. There are 11 figures (1/35th scale plan views (two in five views)). The captions with the
plans are excellent covering details of each vehicle such as road wheel and track types. Sadly, all the
M4 (105) turrets are shown as low bustle when they should be high bustle. This becomes obvious
when comparing to the photographs. However, this does not affect the dimensions of the IDF add-ons
so the plans do remain useful.

This book is highly recommended and serves to whet the appetite for the following books. It, along
with the first IDF Sherman monograph, are superb references for Dragon’s new M4 (105) Sherman.
To order the book, send the author Dr. Robert Manasherob or visiting their web site;
http://www.sabingamartin.com.