Full Product Description

AFV Club 1/35 IDF Sho't Kal Gimel (1982 Lebanon War)

The Sho't Kal Gimel represented one of the final and most capable Israeli upgrades of the British-designed Centurion tank. Following heavy combat during the Yom Kippur War, the Israeli Defense Force enhanced surviving Centurions with improved fire-control systems, upgraded engines, and explosive reactive armor (ERA) to improve battlefield survivability.

The Sho't Kal Gimel first saw combat during the 1982 Lebanon War, where its ERA armor successfully protected crews against anti-tank rockets and shaped-charge weapons. These upgrades extended the service life of the Centurion well beyond what its original British designers envisioned.

AFV Club's kit is widely regarded as one of the most accurate Sho't Kal kits available. The model includes a turned aluminum barrel, photo-etched turret basket screens, workable suspension, detailed machine guns, separate ERA blocks, and numerous Israeli-specific fittings and stowage items.

Kit Features

✔ Scale: 1/35

✔ Kit Number: AF35267

✔ 1982 Lebanon War Configuration

✔ Turned Aluminum Main Gun Barrel

✔ Workable Suspension

✔ Photo-Etched Turret Basket Mesh

✔ Detailed ERA Armor Blocks

✔ Detailed FN MAG Machine Guns

✔ Detailed .50 Caliber Machine Gun

✔ Vinyl Mantlet Cover

✔ Individual Crew Weapons Included

✔ Detailed Turret Basket

✔ Fine Surface Detail Throughout

✔ Multiple Marking Options

Historical Background

The Sho't ("Whip") was Israel's designation for its upgraded Centurion tanks. The Sho't Kal series introduced the Continental diesel engine and numerous Israeli modifications. The Gimel variant added explosive reactive armor and further battlefield improvements, becoming one of the IDF's most important armored vehicles during the 1980s.

The vehicle proved highly effective during Operation Peace for Galilee in Lebanon, where the newly installed ERA armor successfully defeated numerous anti-tank threats. The success of these modifications helped influence future armored vehicle protection concepts around the world.

Review Summary

What Modelers Like

• Outstanding detail throughout

• Excellent Centurion accuracy

• Superb turret basket assembly

• Included metal barrel

• Detailed machine guns and crew weapons

• Realistic ERA armor blocks

• Workable suspension

AMPS reviewers praised the abundance of detail, realistic ERA blocks, excellent machine guns, and overall fidelity to the real vehicle. They described it as a "great kit" and "highly recommended."

IPMS/USA highlighted the extensive detail, metal barrel, workable suspension, photo-etch, and accurate representation of the 1982 Lebanon War vehicle.

Things to Consider

• High parts count

• Numerous small parts

• Turret basket requires patience

• Instructions can be vague in places

• Best suited to intermediate and advanced armor builders

Experienced Centurion modelers note that the kit rewards careful dry-fitting and attention to detail, resulting in one of the most accurate Sho't Kal models available.

Working Title Models Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5

Many IDF armor enthusiasts consider AFV Club's Centurion family the benchmark for accuracy and detail. The Sho't Kal Gimel remains one of the finest Israeli armor kits ever released in 1/35 scale.