In the realm of military vehicles, there exists one known as the “master tank,” and that is the German Pz. Sfl. IVc. However, we unveil the Israeli Makmat, another contender for such a title. Constructed on the Sherman chassis, this colossal 160mm mortar takes the prowess of the typical Sherman hull and turret to an entirely new level. It stands as yet another example of Israel’s proactive approach to adapting extreme modifications to obsolete vehicles to meet contemporary warfare needs.
Originating in the 1960s to adapt the functionality of Israel’s powerful M-66 mortar, capable of firing 40 kg projectiles up to a range of about 9.6 km, the machine was developed to replace the aging artillery in their arsenal.
Adding to the arsenal, the 160mm mortar on the Makmat has a slab-sided, open-topped fighting compartment concept, designed to be folded down to serve as a platform for the crew to work from. To accomplish this, the base Sherman underwent major modifications, though this wasn’t an entirely novel process for the Israelis.
As w? h?v? c?v???? m?п? tim?s ??????, Is???l’s ??υi?m?пt is ??s?lυt?l? ??sciп?tiп? ??? ?п? t?пk ?пthυsi?st. Th?? ??? ? ?istiп?υishiп? ?x?m?l? ?? ??ttiп? ?v??? ?υпc? ?? υs? ?υt ?? ? v?hicl? ?????? it is s?l? ??? ?? sc??????. O? c?υ?s?, this h?s п?t ???п ?υt ?? ? ch?ic?.
Siпc? th? п?ti?п’s ?i?th iп 1948, milit??? sυ????t h?s ???п υп????ict??l? ?п? s?????ic. Iп th?i? ???l? ????s th?? t?i?? t? ?υ?ch?s? п?w t?пks ???m ?l?c?s lik? th? US ?п? UK, ?υt this c?υl?п’t h????п ?υ? t? ??litic?l ?п? sυ??l? issυ?s ??s??ctiv?l?. As ? ??sυlt, th?? w??? ???c?? t? m?k? υs? with wh?t th?? h??.
Wh?t ?i? th?? h?v?? W?ll, ?l?пt? ?? Sh??m?пs.
Th?? ????п th?s? sυ??lυs Sh??m?пs iп th? l?t? 1940s ???m v??i?υs c?υпt?i?s, still iп WWII-s??c. Iп th? 1950s it w?s kп?wп th?t th?s? Sh??m?пs w??? s??i?υsl? ?υt ?? ??t? ?п? ?υt-?υпп??. Th?? ?пlist?? th? h?l? ?? F??пc? t? υ?-?υп th?i? Sh??m?пs t? k??? th?m ??l?v?пt.
The French managed to fit the 75mm gun from the AMX-13 into the Sherman, producing what would become known as the M50. Later, they sought to surpass this achievement by shortening the barrel of the AMX-30’s 105mm gun to fit into the Sherman, resulting in the M51.
However, Israel’s quest for military prowess wasn’t limited to tanks alone. They also built other types of weaponry, such as self-propelled guns and observation platforms, innovatively placed atop the versatile Sherman hull, showcasing their aptitude for adapting these types of tools.
One notable creation was the M4A2 Sherman Rusting Away on Utah Beach, initially employed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for amphibious operations based on the M3 half-track. Although this initiative started in the 1950s and 1960s, it was eventually discontinued. The IDF then proposed a project to utilize the M66 160mm mortar on a heavily modified Sherman.
This project was approved by the Israeli Government, and the first vehicles appeared in the IDF inventory shortly after the Six-Day War. The L-33 Ro’em, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer, was part of this arsenal, mounted on the Sherman as well.
To adapt the turret for the M66 mortar, the Sherman’s turret and upper hull were removed, and a tall welded steel superstructure was fitted in their place. This casemate was optically open-topped, as seen in the design of the L-33 Ro’em’s turret for the same purpose.
Some sources state that M7 self-propelled guns were used for conversions, but we were unable to confirm this.
The M-66, a product of Israeli company Soltam Systems, stood out as an exemplary modification of an earlier Israeli endeavor—the Finnish-developed M50. Distinguished by its robust design, versatility, and lethality, the M-66 showcased a leap forward in military innovation.
This formidable weapon, born from the venerable Sherman tank, marked a significant advancement in its ability to navigate diverse terrains while providing enhanced protection for its crew. Its adeptness in swiftly changing environments, coupled with its armor, allowed it to withstand the impact of a 155mm tubed artillery barrage.
Numerous accounts confirm the reliability of the M-66 mortar, with around 150 examples of the M4A2 Sherman chassis-based M66 mortar carriers being successfully delivered until the 1970s. While the complete system was effective for export, the M-66 mortar itself found utility in various scenarios around the world and may still be found in smaller arsenals today.
The M4A2 Sherman chassis underwent significant modifications to accommodate the M-66 mortar. The entire upper part of the vehicle was removed, replaced by a tall welded steel superstructure that was optically open-topped—a design reminiscent of the L-33 Ro’em’s turret.
To ensure a clear view, a sleek black visor was incorporated at the front of the elevated superstructure. This feature not only enhanced the crew’s protection but also facilitated efficient ammunition reloading for the firing crew positioned below.
The development of the M-66 from the Sherman chassis was a meticulous process, marked by careful consideration of the crew’s safety and the efficient use of the mortar. The unique approach involved reimagining the Sherman’s functionality, opting for a flatbed-like structure to facilitate easy loading and unloading of ammunition for the firing crew.
Read More: “German Army’s Sd.Kfz.234 Eight-Wheeled Armored Car”
This vehicle, measuring approximately 3.3 meters tall, 3.4 meters wide, and 6.5 meters long, boasted remarkable agility and speed. The removal of the turret and the adoption of the M-66 mortar did not compromise the vehicle’s overall stability, with its robust chassis supporting the 36-ton mass of the complete self-propelled mortar system.
The M4A2 Sherman chassis-based M-66 emerged as a masterful engineering feat, inheriting the same lineage as its predecessors—the M50 and M51 Shermans. Its heart, the Cummins VT8-460 diesel V8 engine, delivered a powerful 460 bhp and seamlessly paired with an advanced automatic transmission, boasting prompt gear changes.
Similar to the M50 and M51, the M-66 showcased the evolved “modern” Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS) system, significantly enhancing off-road handling and adapting to variations in weight distribution. This technological advancement facilitated a top speed of 26 mph (43 kph), making the M-66 a swift and agile force on the battlefield.
Read More: “LWS – The German Boat with Tracks”
The M-66 160mm mortar, a crowning achievement of the M4A2 Sherman chassis, featured high-explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds, with a maximum rate of fire of five rounds per minute. This versatile mortar, with a range of 40 kilometers and a maximum rate of fire of 9,600 meters per second, proved instrumental in providing superior artillery support. Its proficiency in firing at a steep angle enabled precise targeting, even against fortified positions or distant artillery emplacements, making it a formidable asset on the battlefield.
When mounted on the MakMat, the mortar barrel is not supported by a bipod but fitted into a column, regulated and lowered hydraulically for loading and firing.
Like all heavy breech-loading mortars, the M-66 is lowered to the horizontal position for loading, then the barrel is raised for firing using a spring-loaded striker to fire the propelling charge. Operating similarly to other breech-loading heavy mortars, the M-66 is lowered to the horizontal position for loading, then the barrel is raised for firing using a spring-loaded striker to ignite the propelling charge.
Equipped with either an M2 HB .50 caliber or M1919 .30 caliber machine gun, this setup is perfectly adapted for anti-aircraft/anti-infantry use by the crew.
The crew of a MakMat self-propelled mortar consists of eight personnel: commander, driver, and the rest forming the gun crew to serve the M-66 mortar. The MakMat was equipped with a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) protection system, smoke grenade launchers, and a fire extinguishing system.
During the Six-Day War in 1967, the M-66 mortar proved its worth in combat, as it was too heavy to be transported without mechanical assistance. The M-66 gave distinguished service to the Israeli Army during this conflict, providing much-needed firepower support to Israeli troops, but its effectiveness was particularly evident when used for battlefield illumination.
Read More: Read more: The PAK 40 auf RSO – A Tank Destroyer with an Overly Large Gun
In these operations, before the introduction of night vision devices, parachute flares were used to illuminate the fighting area, and the M-66 was particularly adept at this task. Used in this mode, the M-66 was said to be a conflict-winning weapon, allowing the Israeli Army to consistently defeat Arab forces during the Six-Day War. Along with its fellow Shermam-based L-33 self-propelled howitzer, the MakMat was first deployed in 1968, just missing active service during the Six-Day War. Along with its powerful Shermam-based L-33 self-propelled howitzer, the MakMat was issued to artillery battalions and stationed in various strategic hotspots within the frontier of Israel
In the late 1960s, as tensions rose, the Israeli General Staff recognized the imminent threat of war. To fortify their military preparedness for an array of determined and successful military offensives, they strategically imported an assortment of modern equipment. This included the incorporation of the Egypatian and Syrian Armies’ formidable Egptian Missile Complex.
Successfully integrated into the Israeli Army in October 1973, the Makmat proved its mettle in providing crucial service to the Israeli Armed Forces, particularly during the pivotal battles of the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula. During these intense engagements, the M-66 facilitated sterling service to the Israeli Army formations by providing substantial firepower support.
Bearing the brunt of multiple enemy attempts to breach fortifications, M-66 equipped vehicles could lay down a blistering amount of fire, and could effectively maneuver at a lower range of fire. The M-66’s adeptness at providing active, practical support was evident in its ability to traverse varied terrain conditions, which allowed it to successfully navigate strategic hotspots and hilly regions, proving crucial in crucial hill engagements.
The Makmat was especially esteemed by its crews for its mobility and protective properties, ensuring that crew members could effectively operate within a well-armored and fortified vehicle. Utilizing a modified amphibious chassis allowed the M-66 to carry a considerable amount of firepower while remaining adaptable to swift tactical adjustments on the battlefield.
The Makmat self-propelled mortar played a pivotal role in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War and saw active service during the Lebanon War of 1982. Following the conflict, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a program to convert large numbers of M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) into a variety of armored combat support vehicles, including a new model mortar, designed specifically for this platform.
As a result, the Makmat emerged as a formidable force on the battlefield, adapted for prompt deployment in various combat scenarios. Its performance was exemplary, garnering recognition from military experts around the world, and its effectiveness endured into the late 1980s.
The Makmat’s 160 mm self-propelled mortar was a highly effective weapons system, and its platform proved versatile in adapting to diverse battlefield conditions. The potent combination of its weaponry and the proven service record of its armored chassis made it a potent force multiplier, particularly in engagements where Israel faced formidable adversaries deploying advanced models of armored vehicles.
Noteworthy is the durability of the cleverly designed Israeli adaptations to the M113 chassis. The Makmat, conceived as a prompt response to the evolving needs of modern warfare, secured its place in history as a well-remembered element of the Israeli Defense Forces’ formidable armory.