M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982-92 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

by Steven Zaloga (Author), Peter Sarson (Illustrator) "The M1 Abrams tank is the most radical departure in US tank design since World War 2..." (more)
Key Phrases: thermal sights, turret front, ammunition fires, Desert Storm, Armored Division, Saudi Arabia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The M1 Abrams was the most radical departure in US tank design since World War II. Until the advent of the M1 in the early 1980s, the US Army had relied on the steady evolution of the M26 Pershing tank, through the M46, M47, M48 and M60. The M1 design came at a time when there were a host of important new tank technologies coming to fruition, in terms of structure and weaponry: these were integrated into it. This book details the design, development and operational use of one of the world's best main battle tanks.

From the Publisher
The unrivalled illustrated reference on fighting vehicles, transport and artillery through the ages. Each volume is illustrated throughout, making these books uniquely accessible to history enthusiasts of all ages.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; illustrated edition edition (January 28, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855322838
• ISBN-13: 978-1855322837
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #774,906 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #37 in

  Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Conventional > Armored Vehicles

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Zaloga's Finest Works, February 2, 2004

By A Customer

This book, having been written in the early 1990s, concentrates on the M1A1 Abrams tank that was used in the Gulf War of 1991. However, Zaloga does not skimp on the Abrams' developmental history, starting off with the M26 Pershing-derived Patton and M60 series and the failed MBT-70 and XM803 tanks of the late Vietnam era. He also describes the competition between the Chrysler and General Motors prototypes and the German Leopard II entry, and how a modified Chrysler model with the novel turbine engine won out. Also described in some detail is the composition of the Burlington/Chobham armor, including millimeter-equivalent of protection on the front of both the original M1 and the later M1A1 tanks. The main guns and their ammunition are covered in detail, including muzzle velocity and penetration figures for various rounds. Rounding out the development with a discussion of fire control system and staged upgrades, Zaloga moves on to the operational history during the Gulf War.

Considering the age of the original text, it is impressive that Zaloga covers upgrades that have only recently been implemented such as the M1A1-D and M1A2 digitized tanks. Naturally, more recent developments such as AIM and M1A2SEP are missing, as these are just now entering service. In the last pages, he includes several line drawings showing profiles of the four major variants of the Abrams tank, facilitating easy comparison. He also mentions the armored recovery vehicle which was not procured, and the bridgelayer which is just now entering service as the M104 Wolverine after nearly being cancelled outright.

The Operational History includes a list of all tank battalions using Abrams tanks in the Gulf War, and a multi-page summary of the war including an enlightening quote from a company commander describing their routines while travelling in the desert.

While the color plates by Peter Sarson, including the requisite cutaway view "centerfold", are well detailed renditions of both Army and Marine M1A1 tanks used in the Gulf War, earlier models and the Forest Green and NATO tri-color schemes are lacking as these have been included in an earlier book. More importantly, Zaloga includes the FS numbers for the color schemes and even describes the chemical-resistant composition of the paint used.

This little book is packed with a considerable amount of information on the M1 Abrams tank series. Nearly every model and modification to date is covered, which is amazing considering that the original text was published in 1993. Again, while the focus was on the operational use of the M1A1 in the Gulf War, nothing was missed on the development and initial fielding of the original M1. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is a list of units that upgraded to the various models of the Abrams, and when they got them, but that's my personal wish list. Hobbyists, historians, and fans of the Abrams tank alike will find a plethora of facts and photos to delight them.