Desert Storm Abrams

[Reini78]

I´ve read that besides the M1A1s there was also a small number of M1s deployed. Did they see any combat or were they only reserve?

Did the USMC already use Ambrams or only the M60?

[AgentG]

I'm not certain about the use of M1's, but I do know the USMC received the first M1A1's just weeks before the conflict kicked off. 

 

G

[Centaur95]

Yes, there were IPM1s deployed during Desert Shield (the build-up phase) with 24th Infantry Division but as far as I know, none were deployed during Desert Storm itself. One reference I have suggests that 24 ID used both M1 and IPM1 but I haven't seen any direct evidence of the original M1s in use so I can't confirm their presence. However, late production M1s and IPM1s are very difficult to tell apart from many angles.

 

The IPM1 had the longer turret shell used on the M1A1 but retained the 105mm gun and some of the M1 turret features. There were other differences too but that's the fundamental visual difference. There are no kits available of the IPM1 so you would need good references and some conversion skills to create one.

 

The USMC deployed M60s to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and were later loaned a number of US Army M1A1s (although the Marines were already in the process of buying the M1A1 they hadn't taken delivery of enough to issue them to combat units).

 

Cheers,

Centaur

Edited December 10, 2017 by Centaur95