"We're going to cut off their head, then we're going to kill 'em."
- General Norman Schwarzkopf discussing plans for Operation: Desert Storm, January 1991
The M1 Abrams was the next stage in American tank development after the M60 series. Chrysler completed the prototype in 1978 and the first production vehicles appeared in 1980 with 30 tanks a month being built in the years that followed by General Dynamics, then a division of Chrysler Motors. Its advanced Chobham armour makes the M1 the best protected US main battle tank yet devised. Its gas turbine engine is smaller and easier to service than a diesel engine, but the extra fuel requirement negates the space saved, which is perhaps why the idea was rejected for acquiring the German-built Leopard 2. Thermal sights, laser rangefinder equipment, and a sophisticated gun stabilization system give the M1 excellent firepower on the move, be it day or night. In the 1991 Gulf War, the Abrams proved itself the best tank in the world, knocking out Iraqi T-72s with impunity. In fact, no Abrams were lost due to enemy fire.
According to General Dynamics, international sales of the Abrams tank are strong. Egypt has purchased 777 M1A1 tank kits. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia purchased and fielded 315 M1A2 Abrams tanks in the Royal Saudi Land Forces, and lest we forget the Government of Kuwait, which purchased and fielded 218 M1A2 Abrams tanks in the Kuwaiti Land Forces. All of these nations are considering additional orders or configuration upgrades for their existing fleet of M1A1/A2 tanks.
This particular M1A1 Abrams main battle tank features a rotating turret, elevating gun, movable tracks, opening hatches, and swing away side track guards. Painted in a striking desert sand camouflage pattern and comes bundled with all sorts of battlefield accessories. Now in stock!
Dimensions:
Length: 12 inches
Width: 4.5 inches
Height: 3.75 inches
Release Date: June 2003
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Historical Account: "Charge!" - The 24th Infantry Division [Mech], the heavy element of the XVIII Airborne Corp, wears three Bronze Battle Star on its Southwest Asia Service Medal denoting participation in all three major campaigns; Defense of Saudi Arabia August 2nd, 1990 - January 6th, 1991, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait January 17th, 1991 - April 11th, 1991, and Southwest Asia Cease-fire April 12th, 1991 - November 30th, 1995.
The Division spearheaded the Allied Coalition Forces’ attack into Iraq. |
In 100 hours the mechanized division’s 370 kilometer lightning fast attack deep into, through, and encircling, enemy positions severed the enemy’s lines of communications through the Euphrates River Valley and shut down his escape routes.
The 24th [Mech] drove faster, farther, and with more firepower than General George S. Patton’s entire 3rd Army stormed across France. The Division’s attack has been called, "The Greatest Cavalry Charge in History". |
