OR ET ar ary i WITH MORE THAN IMAGES!Amonthly round-up of the latest news buying and selling reports, auction, working classics and restorations direct to your inbox. Sign up to the today and receive a for Heritage Machines products and special editions! VISIT HERITAGEMACHINES.COM AND SIGN-UP ON THE HOMEPAGE TODAY!RG Ua THe Seo (© The distinctive dust of the War & Peace arena and the equally distinctive cast hull fof the Maal and with the longer barrelled "76mm gun. (Simon Thomson) 4 USTANK DESIGN 1917-42 How the US Army's M2 and M3 medium tanks led to the development of the Sherman 12. SHERMAN The US Army shifts production from the M3 Grant to the Ma Sherman 24 M4 Despite its designation, the Mé was not actually the first Sherman variant into production 32 (MAI September 1941, and Lima Locomotive Works starts to build the cast-hull Sherman 42 M4A2 The radial engine is replaced by GM Detroit Diesel power... twice! HTS ‘© With its ubberised-canvas screen, the ‘duplex drive (00) Sherman was developed toallow Shermans to svim ashore d the opening stages of the Normandy landings. 50 M443 ‘The US Army's preferred variant uses Ford's mighty GAA VB petrol engine 66 M44 30 cylinders...the extraordinary Chrysler multi- bank powered Sherman, 72 M4A5, M4A6 The mysterious Canadian M4A8, and the Caterpillar diesel-engined M4A6 76 OTHER APPLICATIONS The Sherman's reliability, combined with the numbers produced, led to a host of adaptations and ‘modifications 82 M4-BASED ENGINEER TANKS ARVs, bridge-layers,fascine carriers, demolition tanks and prime movers roeed f@ The shape ofthe Sherman quickly became iconic and images of Shermans were pressed into service whenever a {generic tank was required, as in this poster for the US War Manpower Commission, «© With its huge V8 petrol engine, the Ford Motor Company/'s MaN4 was the US Army's favoured variant. (Ford Motor Company) 86 M4 IN COMBAT ‘The Sherman in front-line service 98 THE LAST WORD ‘What becomes of obsolete. and battle-damaged tanks? (MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 3US TANK DESIGN 1917-42 USE DESIGN 1917-42 aC Owes e Pea CE Maat rel ae Talo te RCoR aly ree) etaat a eee ees lal Before we can look at the M4 Sherman in any detail, we, firstly, have to consider how little experience the United States had at the time in producing tanks. Between 1920 and 1935, total Us tank production was just 33 vehicles. Admittedly the figure rose to 1000 in the five years between 1935 and 1940, but, it was at this point that the US Army came to the conclusion that the M2 medium tank, which it had been planned would provide a cornerstone for the newly- formed Armored Force, was effectively obsolete on the battlefield before it had even been put into production. Not only was its 37mm gun no match for the SOmm or 75mm weapons being fitted to German tanks, but it was also inadequately armoured... and, few were impressed by there being seven machine guns! | | | i i x spite much brave talk, itwas much longer. Tanks were going tobe German tanks on an equal footing. A clear that the USA was not going urgently required and, clearly, even minimum 75mm gun was required, tobe able to ignore what was the improved, standardised M2A1 foreing the Ordnance Department to going on in Europe for very was not going tobe able to take on the go back to the drawing board. 4 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEUS TANK DESIGN 1917-42 (© M2AI marked as belonging to the 67th Infantry Regiment; the photograph was taken in 1940 during US Third Army manoeuvres. 1 From a total order of 126 M2Al tanks, some 94 were constructed between November 1940 and August 194, They were used solely fr training purposes. In June 1940 a document was issued that spelt out the desirable characteristies of a much-improved tank that would replace the M2A1 with the minimum of automotive changes. And, within little more than nine weeks a full-sized wooden mock- up, of what was now being described as the Mg medium tank, was presented to the Tank Committee, and ultimately to the British Tank Commission who considered this to bea ‘eruiser tank... describing it as ‘fast and well armed, but relatively lightly armoured’. Like the M2Ax that had so nearly gone before, power was supplied by a Wright R-075 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, producing 4oobhp (ookW) from a capacity of 15,980ce (675in®), and coupled to the front sprockets via a Mack-built five-speed transmission. The lower part ofthe hull was similar to the M2A1, with the (MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE. | 5US TANK DESIGN 1917-42 «Pilot model forthe M3 photographed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 1941 {© “Youll believe a tank ean fy’ running gear on each side consisting of three pairs of rubber-tyred road wheels assembled as six bogies, and with each of the bogies suspended on vertical volute springs. ‘The g7mm main gun of the M2A1 had indeed been replaced by a 75mm (© Grant-based canal defence light (COL) constructed on the MAI variant. A dummy gun was normally mounted in the turret. mKe BS ‘weapon but, unfortunately, no US- Duilt turret was available that could carry this gun and still retain a full ‘360° of rotation, There was little choice but to mount the gun in a sponson on the right-hand side of the hull which restricted the rotation toa total of go. just 15° in either direction. A standard turret was also fitted on top of the hull, equipped with a 37mm gun and, on top of this turret was a second, smaller turret that both, carried a .goin anti-aircraft gun and acted as a commander's cupola. 6 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEUS TANK DESIGN 1917-42 (© US Army MS Lee kicking up the dust during training. Although the turret is of cast construction, the hulls riveted; note that the ‘37mm gun has not yet been fitted, «© Before its expansion, the shipping and heavy repairs department shared space with the MS production line at Deteolt Tank Arsenal. (Chvysier Corporation) It would be ungracious to point out that the arrangement of turrets was considered far from ideal: the limited traverse of the main gun meant that, it was often necessary to manoeuvre the entire tank to make an accurate shot. But, perhaps, worse still, the combination of a small rotating turret with a commander's eupola ‘mounted on top, gave an overall height of 123in (3125mm), compared toa figure of 98-104in (2500- 2650mm) for the equivalent German Panzerkampfwagen IL ot IV. No surprise then that the Mg presented a ‘very easy target. However, such was the demand for tanks by the British Army, who had been forced to leave behind large ‘numbers of armoured vehicles in France in May 1940, that production of the Mg was authorised without further delay, with the tanks being jurchased by the War Office on a ‘cash-and-carry’ basis. This allowed the British to ask for changes to the (MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE. | 7US TANK DESIGN 1917-42 ‘© During demonstrations of Chrysler's frst tank on ‘presentation day’ in 194, the test diver deliberately snapped a telephone pole. (Chiyslee Corporation) design, meaning that two different versions were put into production, the US Army's version was described as the ‘General Lee’, named for the Confederate leader Robert E. Lee, whilst the British version, which was fitted with a redesigned turret that lacked the small rotating anti-aircraft turret or commander's cupola, was described as the ‘General Grant’ in recognition of Ulysses S. Grant. These names were subsequently adopted by the US Army, but the word ‘General was soon abandoned. ‘The detailed design work was completed by February 19.41, with the first example shipped to Aberdeen Proving Ground in May 1941. Testing of the pilot models started almost immediately, in front of what were described as ‘US 8 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEUS TANK DESIGN 1917-42 ‘© Production line for the M3 Lee atthe Detroit Tank Arsenal. (Chrysler Corporation) Army officers, Office of Production Management (OPM) officials and British representatives’ and production was in hand by August 1941, with an initial total of 20 tanks shipped to the British Army, now under the Lend-Lease arrangements. A total of 666 had been completed by the end of March 1942, and the Mg saw its first action with the British Desert Rats in Egypt in May, where Chrysler described it as ‘the tank which whipped Rommel’. Although it was soon to be superseded by the Sherman, the British continued to use Mgs against the Japanese in south-east Asia until aslate as 1945. Whereas, in the US ‘Army, the Mg was almost exclusively reserved for erew training, with any real action restricted to the Tunisian campaign in November 1942. (MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 9US TANK DESIGN 1917-42 January 1942 using a welded upper hall in place of the riveted or east. construction used in the M3 and. ‘Mgt. This not only simplified production, but also improved the ballistic properties of the hull. The later M3Ag, also entering production in January 1942, was an attempt at getting around a shortage of radial engines by fitting a pair of GM 6-71, diesels into the welded hull of the ‘MgA2, whilst the MgAs saw these same engines being used in a riveted hull. Finally, the MgA4, introduced in June 1942, used the original riveted hull, but with the complex Chrysler 30-eylinder multi-bank engine in place of the radial. However, even before design work on the Mg was completed, ‘The first Mg variant came when the and flying around the interior causing a new tank, to be designated T6 ‘Ondnance Committee authorised the injury to the crew and damaging during development and then as use ofa one-piece cast upper hull that interior fittings. The cast hull variant M4 when put into production, was ‘eliminated the dangers of rivets; these was designated M3A1, with production being planned. The M4 was to use 1¢ Ms Loe photographed in action, had previously been used to assemble beginning in February 1942. ‘a modified version of the proven the plates of the hull, breaking loose Next came the MgA2 which was Mg chassis, and would mount a under the impact of ineoming rounds put into limited production in 75mm main gun in a fully-rotating, turret, thus eliminating the sponson- ‘mounted gun, It was hoped that the use ofa similar chassis and choice of power units would enable the ‘M4 to simply replace the Mg on production lines with the minimum of downtime. Pat Ware Author and series editor CO a ie ‘© REME demonstrates how to change the Wright radial engine ofthe MS Grant using an Austin KS gantry crane. 10. | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEUS TANK DESIGN 1917-42 «© Restored M3 Grant in the distinctive, But Believed by many people tobe erroneous, ‘camouflage scheme used in the Western Desert MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 11SHERMAN Sa The US Army shifts production from the M3 Grant to the M4 Sherman Entering production in February 1942, the US-designed M4 medium tank was quickly dubbed the ‘Sherman’ by the British both in recognition of the US civil war General William. Tecumseh Sherman, and in order to avoid confusion with other similarly named machinery. It was certainly not the best Allied tank of WW2, that title arguably belongs to the Soviet T-34 or the IS-2 Stalin. However, it was one of the most numerous tanks of the war, with a total of almost 50,000 examples constructed before production ended in July 1945. And whilst we are criticising the Sherman, it would not have won any prizes for either its firepower or levels of armoured protection either, but it was an extremely reliable and easily-maintained machine which was able to turn the tide in the Allies’ favour almost anywhere that it was deployed. jork on what was initially described as the 6 medium tank ~ later to be known as the M4 Sherman = started in the spring of 1941 when Rock Island Arsenal presented five alternative proposals, differing mainly by the type of main gun. ‘The first mounted a 75mm short- barrelled Mz gun with double counterweights on the muzzle ~ th counterweights were necessary to allow the gyrostabiliser to operate correctly ~ whilst production tanks were fitted with the Mg version of the 75mm gun. Although it was approaching 45 years old, originally being based on the French canon de 75 modele 1897, and now with much higher velocity, the 75mm Mg tank sun was still considered to be the ‘minimum that would be required to achieve parity with the German ‘medium tanks. ‘The Mg gun remained the standard fitment for the Sherman until February 1944 when itstarted to be replaced by the high-velocity ‘76mm Mi gun, now with a maximum elevation of 35°, rather than the 25° of the original M3 weapon. The 76mm, gun required the use of a new turret, in order to accommodate the recoil; this was borrowed from the soon to (© Mock-up for TS medium tank at Aberdeen Proving Ground...later to become known as the Ma Sherman. be cancelled medium tanks T20 and ‘Tag. The Soviet Red Army believed that this gun made the Sherman more effective in anti-tank encounters. ‘The second proposal was fitted with a pair of 37mm M6 guns and one ‘machine gun; option three carried 105mm howitzer, together with a single machine gun; the fourth ‘was fitted with three o.50in anti- aircraft machine guns; whilst the final iteration mounted a British 6-pounder (57mm) high-velocity gun and a co-axial machine gun Inall eases, the commander's cupola from the Mg was retained, complete with a co-axially mounted 0.g0in machine gun; there were also three machine guns in the hull glacis plate, two fixed and one in a rotating ball mount. ‘The Ordnance Committee recommended that a fall-size ‘wooden mock-up be produced and this was completed during the following month for the approval of the Armored Force Board. Two pilot models were then authorised 12 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE© 76 prototype photographed before the muzzle counterwoights were fitted. “The first, which was constructed at “Aberdeen Proving Ground, had the distinctively-rounded cast hull, later to become known as the M4Ax, and ‘mounted the M2.75mm gun. The second, which was built by Rock Island Arsenal, had a hull of welded ‘& LOADERS HATCH ON SHERMAN IC, SHOWN IN CHAIN LINE. construction, but was never fitted with its designated turret. ‘The'T6 was approved and standardised as the M4 medium tank ‘on 5 September 1941 and construction ‘of Mg and M4a1 pilot vehicles tiated in November, with, 4 MOUNTING SHOW ON SHERMAN. M.36.AL M 8. ARE FITTEDWIT) MOUNTING. (See SHEET 4 OVER AMMUNITION (© Outtine drawing forthe M4, SHERMAN production scheduled to start in early 1942. Although this target was never reached, the US authorities caleulated that it would be necessary to construct 2000 tanks for every month of 1942. Inevitably, modifications were requested to the pilot model before production was authorised, most notably the elimination of the side doors, which improved the ballistic performance of the hull, and the deletion of the commander's cupola and machine gun, which saved a ‘modest amount of height, and, finally, the removal ofthe two fixed machine guns in the glacis plate, tis interesting to note that the Canadian Army’s Historical Section claimed in their Report number 73:a survey of army research and development, 1939-45, published in 1955, that the Canadian Ram tank, which was based on the hull and automotive equipment of the US Army's Mg, and which was built at the Montreal Locomotive Works, provided a prototype for the Mg Sherman. This is not borne out by (a ae nes =)) es i § 4 1g ove aan FENCES RovOED WHEN SANS AR FTTED) 1959 MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 13SHERMAN ‘© cast Sherman turrets atthe Ford Motor Company Highland Park plant. (Ford Motor Compory) PT any other sources, although a Ram ‘was supplied to Aberdeen Proving Ground for comparative trials against the Mg... and it must be admitted that there is some similarity between the Ram and the Sherman, Dubbed ‘General Sherman’ or generally just ‘Sherman’ by the British, seven basic variants were eventually produced during the production ofthe vehicle, (© Turret pistol port. designated M4 through to M4A6, Note that the numbered designations do not represent either a logical sequence of development, nor a timeline... they are simply a means of recording changing aspects of the tank, such as the form of construction or the power unit. Each variant was also identified by a simple code by the British Army, for example the M4A1 was designated Sherman I, the M4A2 was Sherman IIT, and so on. © Mg or Sherman I: welded hull or composite welded cast hull, with ‘one-piece cast nose, or three- piece bolted nose; Wright or Continental R-975 radial engine; ‘75mm or 105mm gun. © -M4At or Sherman I: cast hull with one-piece cast nose, or three- piece bolted nose; Wright or Continental R-975 radial engine; ‘75mm or 76mm gun. © M4Ar: Canadian-built Grizzly; cast hull with three-piece bolted nose; Wright or Continental R-975, radial engine; 75mm gun. © -M4A2 or Sherman III: welded null with one-piece cast nose, or three- piece bolted nose; General Motors 6-71 twin diesel engines; 75mm, ‘76mm or 105mm gun. © -M4Ag or Sherman IV: welded bull, with one-piece cast nose; Ford GAA V8 petrol engine; 75mm, 76mm or 15mm gun, © M4AgB2: up-armoured welded hall, with one-piece cast nose; heavier turret; Ford GAA V8 petrol engine; 75mm, or 76mm gun. © M4A4 or Sherman V: welded hull 14 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESHERMAN with three-piece bolted nose; Chrysler A-57 multi-bank petrol engit ym gun, ‘M4As or Sherman VI: this, designation was reserved for the Canadian Ram Mk II tank, but was never used. ‘M4A6 or Sherman VII: welded. hull with one-piece cast nose; Caterpillar RD-1820 radial multi- fuel diesel engine; 75mm gun. Engine, transmission and final drive ‘The chosen power unit for the prototypes and for the initial production run was the Wright R-975 Whirlwind, or its licence-built equivalent from Continental Motors. ‘The R-975 was a nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine producing 40obhp (300kW) gross from 15,945¢¢ (973in’). The engine was generally considered to be reliable but had a short life of only around 000 miles (1600km) when excessive piston-ring wear was said to cause ‘chronic oiling up’ Other power units were also used, and, at one time, in order to maintain eet Pee eae Fight, the machine gunners seat een eet anne Ce er MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 15SHERMAN (© commanders cupola, Duele ener production at a sufficient rate, the Sherman was being constructed with engines from Ford, GM Detroit Diesel, Chrysler and Caterpillar; of these, only the Ford GAA had been specifically designed as a tank engine. In the nose of the tank, coupled by a Jong propeller shaft, was a five-speed ‘manual gearbox with synchromesh on all gears except first and reverse, together with a Cletrac controlled differential unit that provided the ‘means to steer the vehicle. Final drive to the tracks was made via 13 teeth con the front sprockets. The complete transmission unit was manufactured by six different companies ~ including GM Buick, Caterpiller Tractor, Detroit ‘Tank Arsenal, Ford Motor Company, Towa Transmission Company and Reed Roller Bit Company. ‘Suspension Early examples of the M4, M4A1, M4A2, and M4Ag variants were fitted with what was deseribed as the vertical volute-spring suspension system (VVSS), which used two springs fitted vertically to each of six bogie units. Although the WSS suspension was Spero ROLLER said to be reliable, it became apparent that the increases in weight were starting to have a negative effect on. the ride, and, from late 1944, the ‘much improved horizontal volute- spring (HVSS) suspension was fitted, indicated by the addition of E8 or Y asa suffix to the basic designation, for example M4A4E8 or Sherman VY. The HYSS suspension allowed the use of wider tracks, reducing the likelihood of throwing a track, and offering a more stable ride across country. M44 and ‘M4A6 variants used only the WVSS suspension, 16 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEpre ADJUSTING SCREW towie DJUSTING SCREW (© Turret traversing gear. ‘The rear idler sprockets were adjustable to allow the track tension to be altered, and three steel rollers supported the upper run of the track, Tracks ‘The track pitch of the Sherman was 6in (152mm); short-hulled vehicles, POWER TRAVERSING CONTROL HANDLE PLOT VALVE CAP RIVE SHAFT ‘COUPLING RAPD 141 were fited with 79 shoes, whilst the longer hulls had 83, Some of the Canadian M4As Grizzlies had a shorter track pitch that required special drive sprocket. As regards the track shoes themselves, a variety of patterns were fitted during the production life ofthe vel SHERMAN including smooth rubber, rubber chevron, steel parallel bar, and steel chevron types, with both dry and rubber-bushed pins employed. Main guns Four different main guns were ‘mounted in the Sherman during its first five years of lif; see also table (on page 23 for details of authorised ammunition rounds. First came the short-barrelled ‘75mm Mz which was carried in mount Mgq or M341, and was fitted with twin counterweights at the ‘muzzle end of the barrel. The barrel Jength was 91.75in (2330mm), which givesa length-to-calibre figure of gia (L/31.1). This gun was fitted to just the first two M4As tanks to come out of the Lima Locomotive Works and ‘was considered to be a temporary measure whilst work on the 75mm ‘Mg was completed. ‘Next was the 75mm Mg, the barrel fon which measured up at 118.38in (Goo7mm), giving length-to-calibre value of 40.1 (1/4021), and which dispensed with the counterweights. The same M4 or M3441 mount was used. By late 1942, it was obvious that the 75mm gun was not sufficiently powerful to take on the heavier German tanks and that the Sherman needed a new main gun. Accordingly, from late 1943, the 75mm Mg was replaced by the 76mm Ma gun, firstly with a barrel Jength of 163,75in (4159mm) givinga Jength-to-calibre figure of L/57. The Darrel was soon reduced in length to 148:75in (778mm) giving a length-to- calibre of L/52; versions were produced Doth with and without a muzzle brake counterweight, Ithad been hoped that allofthe 75mm Shermans could be replaced by those mounting the new ‘76mm gun but, unfortunately, there ‘were never sufficient 76mm guns available, ‘The 7mm gun offered improvements in range and penetrating power, but the Sherman ‘was still ata disadvantage when compared to the heavier German tanks and, in January 1943, it was decided that a Sherman that carried a British 17-pounder (gin, 76mm) high- MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 1718 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESHERMAN the Tank took a hint from fer MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 19SHERMAN €© The use of bolted-on grousers increased the width of the Sherman's rather narrow tracks and thus reduced the ground pressure, velocity gun would be a formidable ‘weapon. Based on an existing anti- tank weapon, the 17-pounder had a barrel length of 165in (4191mm) and a length-to-calibre figure of L/55. twas not easy to make sufficient space for the gun in the turret but, with the barrel rotated through 90° so that the breech was side loaded, the recoil ‘mechanism modified, and the radio ‘moved into an armoured box outside the turret, it was shown to be possible. Dubbed Firefly ~ although some evidence from the period suggests that twas originally called Mayfly ~ the British Tank Board requested that some 2100 Shermans be converted to the Firefly configuration, Work started, in December 1943, with about 700 available by late July 1944. A total of somewhere between 2100 and 2350 examples were converted, with the last example delivered in May 1945. ‘The fourth Sherman main gun was the 105mm Mq howitzer, a ‘modification of the gun fitted to the towed M2A1 howitzer. Trials had started in November 1942 using a short-barrelled weapon, but production was not put in hand until 1944. The barrel length was 1o1in (2565mm), giving a length-to-calibre value of L/24.5. Communications equipment Radio equipment in the Mg series consisted of US Signal Corps SCR- 508, SCR-528, SCR-538 or SCR- 608B FM sets, or the AM AN/VRC-: command tanks were fitted with SCI 506, SCR-245 or SCR-193 radios. British and Canadian Army tanks were equipped with Number 19 or ‘Number 29 sets. Production ‘Mass production started at Lima Locomotive Works in February 1942, with the Pressed Steel Car Company coming on stream a month or so later. ‘The first examples to be produced were actually of the cast-hull M4At configuration. Since the M3 75mm gun was not ready for production immediately, the first two tanks produced retained the short-barrelled Mz gun. One of these tanks was shipped to Britain where it was named ‘Michael’ in honour of Michael Dewar, head of the British ‘Tank Mission, and in November 1942, ‘was put on display at Horse Guards Parade. The other, still wearing the British census number T-25189, ‘was taken over by the US Ordnance Department for testing. 20 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESHERMAN COU By the time production of the Mg Canadian company, as follows: and M4A2; total production, 1245 came to an end, ten US manufacturers @ American Locomotive Company; examples had been involved, representing Mg and MqA2; total production, Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal; ‘virtually all of the major automotive 2300 examples M4, M4Ag, M4A4 and M4At companies, together with one © Baldwin Locomotive Wo total produetion, 17,947 examples MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 21SHERMAN «© British Army training booklet covering the Sherman © Federal Machine & Welder; ‘MaA2; total production, 540 examples © Ford Motor Company; M4a3; total production, 1690 examples © GM Fisher Tank Arsenal (Grand Blanc); M4A2 and M4Ag; total production, 11,358 examples ¢ Lima Locomotive Works; M41: total production, 1655 examples ‘© Montreal Locomotive Works; M4As; total production, 188 examples maments systern, © Pacific Car & Foundry; Maas; total production, 926 examples © Pressed Steel Car Company; ‘M4, MaAt and MqA2; total production, 8147 examples © Pullman-Standard Car Company; ‘Mg and M42; total production, 3426 examples Between them, these companies produced a total of 49,422 Shermans uring five years of production and a total of 88,410 tanks altogether. By contrast, Britain manufactured some 27,019 tanks between July 1939 and May 1945, whilst tank produetion in Germany, between the years 1940 and 1945, totalled just 22,050 units. In Japan, the total number of tanks produced between between 1931 and 1945 was 6450. I’salso worth mentioning that Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal and the GM Fisher Tank Arsenal, who, with respective totals of 17,947 and 11,358 tanks, were not only responsible for the bulk of Mq production, but were also labouring against the inevitable difficulties of working in brand-new purpose-built manufacturing facilities. And, what is more, the changeover from the Mg to the M4 at the Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal was made during a period when the facility was also being expanded by some 50%. Refurbishment Chrysler, Federal Machine & Welder and GM Fisher Tank Arsenal were all involved in the refurbishment of a total of some 2145 early production Shermans which were either shipped to Britain under the Lend-Lease arrangements or were allocated to the foreign aid programme. Others involved in the refurbishment work, covering a total of 5880 tanks, were International Harvester and the Montreal Locomotive Works, as well as the Chester, Evansville, Lima and Richmond Tank Depots. ‘The refurbishment work involved stripping the tank as far as was feasibly possible, before rebuilding with new or refurbished components as necessary; late production features were also incorporated wherever possible. ‘THE POST-WAR YEARS ‘Many Shermans remained in service ‘well into the post-war years with European and Middle Eastern nations. At the same time, there is scarcely a military museum worthy of ‘the name that doesn’t have a Sherman on display... there are also many in private hands, and dozens have been retained as memorials around. ‘the world, meaning that, today, the Sherman has become something of a classic amongst tank aficionados, 22 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESHERMAN CCT See UTC Type of round CE ees eent esis) 5 : (neta eene reset eee eer) 5 oaetas entree Ren nea con 5 ‘Armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) antes ene Poe eee oneMas ene meaner a ca) Pr eal eee) Pees tcesal Hyper-velocity armour piercing (HVAP) a Hyper-velocity armour piercing, with tracer (HVAP-T) eee ee ae ee eee Renee ace) teens reece o reer sie It) ‘Smoke, coloured (green, red, violet, yellow) Seen eee ental ‘Smoke, sulphur trioxide in chlorosulphonic acid (FS) Eames eno) See ee oes) Seen et tee tue) STU TCO a a Reet Pete 7 Maat fae ae Pee Penne nee ed ror pm S ey Peete) rr rs Creer coo 40173039) mer) cee eee ores ere 1690) care z eee Lima Locomotive Works 1655 Montreal Locomotive Works mv eee Ea eee tena Ered Peers) eae ee Cr ee ee ed Grand total of M4 Sherman production: USA, 49,234; Canada, 168 MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 23RU RU eee a ie PTC U a! Me Sere atc) Production of the first variant in the M4 family - the welded-steel hulled ‘Sherman I, as it was designated by the British Army - was started at the Pressed Steel Car Company in July 1942, a month or so after production of the M4Al had been initiated at the Lima Locomotive Works. Pressed Steel went on to construct a total of 1000 examples, but the M4- was also produced by American Locomotive, who manufactured 2150 vehicles, as well as by Baldwin Locomotive (1233), Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal (3317), and Pullman-Standard (689). Production was considered to be complete by 1944, with the Detroit Tank Arsenal being the last plant to manufacture the M4. «© Restored welded-hull 44 showing some battle damage on the front left-hand quarter, (Simon Thomson) the M4 and the M4A differed _variants. Unfortunately, there were only in the form of construction _ few foundries in the USA capable of used for the upper hull: where casting items as large as tank hulls the Mg was of mixed cast, and so it was hoped that the adoption and welded construction, the hull ‘of welded construction would both of the M4A1 was exclusively cast. speed-up the manufacturing process Other than this, there was very and reduce bottlenecks in produetion, litte difference between the two This method of construction also had. the added advantage of increasing internal space in the hull, thus allowing stowage for 97 rounds of. 75mm ammunition, compared to the 90 rounds carried by the M41 with its east upper hull ‘The hull of the Mg was thoroughly conventional, and was divided 24 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE(© This s one ofa series of cards issued by the US Army during WW2 describing various items of military equipment. (© Nose-on view of the welded-hull M4, inthis instance in service with the British Army; note how the triangles painted onta either side of the turret appear to change its shape. into three separate spaces: the driving compartment, the fighting, compartment, which included the turret, and the engine compartment. ‘The upper parts were formed from rolled homogenous steel, welded together to provide a protective fighting compartment box that was 2in (5omm) thick to the front, and Yin (8mm) tothe sides. Where the ‘Mg had often been erewed by six men, the M4 was designed to be manned by five men, consisting of commander, gunner, loader, driver, and co-driver/ ‘machine-gunner. Folding and rotating upholstered seats were provided for the crew members, the driver's and co- driver's seats being height adjustable. ‘The nose of the lower hull was of cast steel, and originally consisted of three separate pieces bolted together. Late production versions from the Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal had ther a one-piece nose, which was apparently nicknamed Mary Ann ~ it seems that some love-starved production-line personnel thought that the castings had a slightly MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 25.© View down into the engine compartment showing the Wright/Continental radial. feminine shape — or else had a composite rolled/cast nose. On this latter version, which was described as the ‘Sherman 1 hybrid’ by the British, the cast section extended from the differential housing to the forward edge of the turret ring, ‘Access to the hull was made via. twin hatch doors in the turret, or by ‘means of twin hatches in the glacis plate; there was also an escape hatch in the floor. The engine was accessed ‘via twin side-hung doors at the rear or by using the large hatch in the upper rear deck. ‘As regards ammunition for the ‘main gun, some 97 rounds were stored inside the hull, with many in racks placed against the interior surfaces of the side sponsons, and under the turret basket floor. Unfortunately, battle experience subsequently showed that the ammunition stored in these racks was liable to ignite if the armour was penetrated, sometimes sufficiently violently for the turret to be lifted lear of the hull. In an effort to get over this problem, Sherman variants produced after 1944 stored the ammunition in liquid-protected racks. The M4 retained the dry storage racks but had plates of supplementary appliqué armour, in (25mm) thick, welded in an appropriate position on the outside of the hull, and later to the front- facing areas of the turret. Additional armour was also welded to the front of the driver's hood. These armour patches were incorporated into production as well as being applied retrospectively to tanks that were already in service. ‘The turret, which was identical to that fitted to the MgA1, was also of cast-steel construction and offered a ‘maximum thickness of gin (75mm) to the front, and 2in (50mm) to the sides and the rear. Periscopes were provided for both the driver and the commander. Regardless of the main gun, the turret was fitted with hydraulic traversing gear with a back-up manual system; the original traversing gear, which was well- liked for its smooth operation, was supplied by the Oilgear Company, ‘but the pressures of production eventually saw Logansport and Westinghouse becoming involved, ‘with traversing gear from the latter operated electrically 26 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEra eoMiNtiew mat oe eae of Le era Fe oa oo aad CORI es ? Exivaus Seeieg Eo rue ee Ma oo ey ORDER.1-3-5-7-9 isey lee pa Power was provided by a rear- ‘mounted Whirlwind R975 air-cooled nine-eylinder four-stroke radial engine, originally designed for use in aircraft; the engine was de-rated for this application, producing 4oobhp (gookW) gross from 15,945¢¢ (o7in®). Early production tanks used the EC2 version of the power unit, constructed by Wright Aeronautical of Patterson, New Jersey, but this was subsequently superseded by the C1 version produced by Continental ‘Motors based in Muskegon, Michigan. ‘The engine, which was both tall and narrow, was tilted to reduce the apparent height as far as possible, and ‘occupied the space behind the fighting compartment, from which it was separated by a fire-proof bulkhead. A long propeller shaft, running under the floor, connected the engine toa {© One of 1641 examples of the Mé fitted with the loSmm howitzer; designated Sherman 18 dry twin-plate clutch, together with (or IBY by the British Army; the latter also fitted with HVSS suspension. (US Signal Cores) five-speed manually-shifted gearbox, MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 27eet pment - De eee the latter built by Mack Motors. The drive the front sprockets. vas installed in the rear of the hull, differential unit was bolted inside the A Homelite Model HRUH-28, producing 50h at goV (1500W). nose casting, and was arranged to petrol-engined auxiliary generator This generator was designed to keep 28 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE(© Restored M4 with a coating of artificial snow in homage to the Battle ofthe Bulge. MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 29‘© Although the standard Sherman crew was five men, the tank could also be operated without the co-drver. the batteries charged whilst the main engine was not running, as well as supplementing the engine-driven generator when necessary. Most M4 variants were fitted with the original vertical volute-spring suspension system (VWSS) that had been carried over from the Mg ‘medium tank, with 12 wheels in six bogies, each having a track return roller. This was redesigned in mid- 1942 with rear-mounted track-return rollers to reduce the incidence of spring failure, and, atthe same time, the diameter of the volute springs ‘was increased from 7in (78mm) to 8in (20gmm). The new suspension ‘was fitted to tanks from January 1943 the more effective heavier-duty horizontal volute-spring suspension system (HVSS) was fitted to the final ‘841 examples of the 105mm gun- equipped Mq variant. Track pitch was 6in (152mm), with a total of 158 shoes giving a contact length measured on the ground of 147in (3734mm). The track itself was either of chevron or parallel-bar steel construction, or of steel construction, with rubber chevron inserts, ‘The main gun was the 75mm medium-velocity M3 with a ‘maximum firing rate of 20 rounds a minute, and designed to be manually loaded. The gun was initially carried in the M34 mount, with a maximum. gun shield thickness of 3¥ain (8mm), but later, the modified ‘Mgqa1 mount was used which had a wider mantlet to protect both the telescope on one side of the main gun, and the .30 calibre machine gun on the other. Both direct and indirect sighting systems were fitted, ‘The later 76mm gun that appeared on subsequent Shermans was never fitted to the M4, and anyway was considered by some to be of dubious value. However, from 1943 on, a total of 1641 examples of the M4, all of them constructed by the Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal, were equipped with the 105mm Mq howitzer in mount Mg4 or M34as, the latter with widened mantlet. The gun used separate bagged charges and had a ‘maximum firing rate of three rounds a minute, but there was no powered traverse for the turret. These M4 105mm tanks were designated as Sherman IB and IBY by the British, the later with the HVSS suspension. Production By the time production of the M4 variant ended in January 1944, the total number of M4 Shermans produced amounted to 6748 examples, with the 75mm gun, of which somewhere around 1600 were of the composite type with the rolled/cast nose; 1641 examples were fitted with, the 105mm howitzer. SEE RR Te OTM TE Ra Uta Pees er fee ian [7s a ieee Peri! eee Eee fee ia) r=) rere Ma with een eae 5 Speen cd 30 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESab TAF Manufacturer: American Locomotive, Schenectady, New York; Baldwin Locomotive, Eddystone, eeu eu a eee CU eee eae eee kena ee FeuneyVeaed neues ee Kec iaken ee Iet erect Total number produced: 6748. renee ees Engine: Wright R975-EC2, or Continental R975-Ci; 15 94Scc (973in}); nine-cylinder radial, air-cooled, bore and stroke, 127x140mm; 80 octane petrol; compression ratio, 5:7:}; overhead valves; power enter steele saree ated Seems enweals Meee eee Reset ct eee ee teen SS examples, horizontal volute-spring suspension (HVS). Sere ana ene Messen eee sarees eid SO rene a ee ce OD (13-25mm). Turret: gun shield, 33in (89mm); rotor shield, 2in (Simm); front, 3in (76mm); sides, 2in (Simm); rear, Pane eer mA =a Appliqué armour patches, in (25mm) thick, were welded to the sides of the hull, adjacent to the fuel pee ne eae aa eases oe) Rene ees ee Eyes ny Length, 232in (5893mm); width, 103in (2616mm); height, over turret hatch, 108in (2743mm), presario} Weight: unstowed, 62,800 lb (28,545kg); combat ready, 66,900 Ib (31,545ka). Pensa ean) Length, 244in (618mm); width, 105in (267mm); height, over cupola, Niéin (2546mm). Grea ame Ieee aeRO CE ees The apparent increase in length for those tanks that were equipped with the 105mm gun was simply Dene een Cur eRe cae ene eee versus 10lin (2565mm) for the 105mm, resulting in a front overhang._ cen) Pesaran an ee See ee SS Rein een aon enka eect) Ren et etd Ninian aia eee MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 31M4Al September 1941, and Lima Locomotive Works TRC RUT Stl) Production of the cast-hull M4AI, known by the British Army as the Sherman Il, started in February 1942 at the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. Initially, the company was contracted to the British Ministry of Supply under direct ‘cash-and-carry’ rules, but all subsequent contracts for British Army Shermans were made under the US Lend-Lease Act which had been signed into law in March 1941. {© The distinctive shape of the hul ofthe Mal is easly recognised: note the side-mounted doors on ths ealy production vehicle which were almost immediately eliminated, the first two tanks built by Lima ‘were considered to be pilot models and used the early T6 upper hull casting with the side access apertures welded up, and had spoked road wheels, carried over from the Mg. Forall subsequent production, the road wheels were solid dises, the side doors were eliminated altogether, modifications were made to the gun rotor shield, and changes were made to improve ventilation, particularly to clear gun fumes from the interior. Unfortunately, although the first ‘two tanks were completed during September 1941, the chosen M3 ‘75mm gun was not available at this time, which meant that these two tanks retained the short-barrelled ‘Mz gun that had been used on early "To mock-ups. This gun can be easily identified by the counterweight clamped around the muzzle, Additional armaments included two in Browning machine guns in the lower front area of the hull, one 32 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE‘© Production Mal from which the side doors have been eliminated (© 6A in action, (US Signal Corps) M4Al cof which was eliminated in March 1942. The 75mm Mz was quickly superseded by the 75mm M3 gun, and then, in 1944, this was replaced by the high-velocity 76mm Mi gun in a larger, improved turret that had an integral counterweight. When equipped with the 76mm gun, the ‘MaA1 was identified as the Sherman IIA by the British, But, back to September 1941... the first production M4A1 was retained in the USA for testing purposes, and the second was shipped to Britain where twas put on display’on a plinth in Horse Guards Parade, as the first American-built tank to be delivered to the British Army. Assigned the War Office registration number T25190 (ater renumbered T74195), this first tank was named ‘Michael’, in honour of Michael Dewar, a British industrialist who had led the mission to have tanks constructed in the MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 33M4Al (© uly 1964, and an MAA passes a knocked-out German Panzer Mk V on the road near Ponsacco, Pisa, (US Signal Corps) 34 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE4d withthe T28 turret and 7émm main gun. (Simon Thomson) Army. The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, was photographed inspecting the tank on Horse Guards Parade, even climbing inside, albeit with some difficulty. Nevertheless, he was sufficiently impressed to have said to Roosevelt about a month later... “Give us as ‘many Sherman tanks as you can spare, and ship them to the Middle Bast as quickly as possible. And, indeed, the first Shermans arrived in Egypt in September 1942, going into combat for the first time against German armour at the Second Battle of El Alamein on 23 October. ‘The Lima Locomotive Works continued production of the M4Ax until September 1943 by which time the company had built 1655 tanks, and had refurbished a further 60. In March 1942, the Pressed Steel Car Company was second on the ist of manufacturers of the Maas, eventually producing a total of 8147 tanks at its Pittsburgh works. Finally, € Underside view of the MAA Sherman asit crests rce..a perfect shot atthe in June 1942, produetion was started Sherman's least well protected area atthe Pacific Car & Foundry works in MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 35M4Al ‘© 6281 Firefly atthe South African National Museum of Miltary History in Johannesburg. Renton, Washington, where a total of (926 examples were built. Regardless of the manufacturer, the upper areas of the M4A1 consisted of a massive, one-piece casting with a distinctive rounded ‘turtle’ shape, which some users (wrongly) came sco 8 to believe was ballistically inferior to the welded ull. Late production, hulls were modified to increase the size of the driver's escape hatch, but the upper hull is the only significant area of difference between the Mg and the M4A1. Despite the differences eae in construction, the hulls of cast and ‘welded Shermans offered the same levels of protection, and were equally ‘vulnerable to the guns of the heavier German tanks. ‘The lower hulls of M4Ais produced by Lima and Pacific Car & Foundry 36 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4Al (© Based on the Sin M7 gun of the MO tank destroyer, late production examples of the 7émm gun were fitted with @ muzzle break to Ceflect bias to the sides and the rear, thus reducing the recoil. (Simon Thamson) (© tes lfficul to tell what is going on here, but the crew ofthis M4Al 7mm saemn to be carving out an equipment check. (US Signal Corns) MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 37M4Al ‘© 61481 76mm produced by the Pressed Steel Car Company; note the one-piece cast nose. The photograph is dated May 1944, were of welded construction, whilst those produced by the Pressed Steel Car Company before the Spring of 1943 were riveted, Like that of the Mq, the hull of the ‘M4A1 was designed to accommodate a crew of five, consisting of commander, gunner, loader, driver, and co-driver/machine gunner, and ‘was divided into three spaces: the driving compartment, the fighting compartment, which included the turret, and the engine compartment; the engine compartment was separated by a steel firewall. The engine and the other automotive equipment was the same as had been used in the M4. For example, the rear-mounted Wright or Continental R975 nine-cylinder radial was identical, and there was the same type of five-speed transmission, coupled to the differential, and driving the front sprockets. In 1943, in response 38 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE(© 6A with three-piece cast nose. to shortages of the original power unit, the US Ordnance Department produced what was designated the ‘MaE7 by trial-fitting a Ford GAA petrol engine into an M4As hull Regardless of whether or not the conversion was a success, there was no further production. Originally, the suspension and track design also followed the same lines as that fitted to the M4. However, in March 1944, the US Ordnance Committee approved the use of a new, more durable horizontal volute- spring suspension system (HVSS) that gave a better ride, was less prone to bogging down in mud or sand, and inimised the possibility of throwing a track. M4A1 tanks that were fitted with the new suspension, together with wide tracks designed to improve mobility, were identified as M4A1E8 (or Sherman IIAY). ‘The original 75mm gun was fitted with a gyrostabiliser operating in the levation mode, and the US Army's standard armour-piercing capped (APC) rounds could penetrate 27sin (68mm) of armour ata distance of 1640ft (500m), reducing to 2¥sin (Gomm) at 328oft (1000m). Other standard rounds included white phosphorus (WP), high explosive (HIE), and smoke. The maximum rate of fire was caleulated to be 20 rounds a minute, but this was rarely achieved. The 76mm gun, together ‘with the larger T2g turret, started to appear on new tanks in the summer of 1944. Rounds available included high- explosive, armour-piercing capped, tracer (APC-T), and high-velocity ‘armour-piereing, tracer (HVAP-T), the latter, capable of piercing 6in (150mm) of armour at 3280ft (000m), was apparently saved for ‘Tigers and Panthers, ‘As regards performance, the M4A1 had a top speed of 21-24mph (34-39km/h), which was directly comparable to the Panzer III and the subsequent Panzer IV. Of course, in tank warfare, speed is only rarely significant, and the Sherman's great advantage was that it was available in far larger numbers than the Panzer and was probably more reliable. But, make no mistake, it was generally, Doth out-gunned and out-armoured. Tn 1944, in an attempt at improving the Sherman's armour- piercing capabilities, somewhere around 2250 tanks, not all of them MaAts, were retro-fitted with the (British) Ordnance quick-firing high-velocity 17-pounder (gin, 76.2mm) gun and were dubbed “Firefly. Unfortunately, although the Firefly has been described as ‘the only tank worth having in Normandy’, the armour was not improved which meant that a Firefly had a chance of taking out a German tank at a distance, but it was no better equipped for closer tank-on- MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 39M4Al (@ 64018-based MSI Super Sherman of the Israeli Defence Force; the main gun isa French 105mm weapon. (Simon Thomson) tank action. Those tanks that were 75mm gun, and 3426 with the 76mm converted from M4A1 Sherman I weapon (although some sources configuration, were identified by the __ suggest that this latter figure should British as Sherman IIC Firefly. bbe 3396). A further 188 examples of what was, effectively, the M4, Production using the same hull design as that By the time production ended in produced by Pressed Steel, were December 1943, the total number _uilt by the Montreal Locomoti of M4A1 tanks produced was 9707. Works in Canada, starting in August Ofthese, 6281 were armed with the 1943 under the name Grizzly; the programme was terminated in mid- January 1944. ‘The second tank off the Lima production line, ‘Michael, has, survived to this day and, although the ‘Mz gun was subsequently replaced by the standard Mg, this is the oldest Sherman tank still in existence. It can be seen at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. See Rae Te eS [eas oN rn aN ano Creer oan eee teeny ec eee te ener ray Breet ay Re ote cee ca dopte eee eae 40 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESEEN Ra TTB YY Manufacturers: Lima Locomotive Works, Lima, Ohio; Pacific Car & Foundry, Renton, Washington; Pressed Stee! ee eee ee feete emer ponte eee enero FSR ree ce Reems eee ea eo ee ge eee ee) Bence ea eat ote eat eed 460bhp (345kW) gross, 350bhp (261kW) or 400bhp (SOOkW) net. eee es Sree ee eee ee rete eee eects eset ease eo} Perea ene ee iee Errata ron FETE aa ana eM NE ate Ma oe LE AE Turret: gun shield, 3in (76mm); rotor shield, 2in (Simm); front, Sin (7émm); sides, 2in (Simm); rear, 2in (Simm); top, vest in 1944, appliqué armour patches, lin (25mm) thick, were welded to the front corners of the turret to compensate Cee Nae tae caer ee ne SR Coe en ee eee Peas aee ee Ree eee ee aaa nee nee Peete eee ee ee ema) ee eee eee eee a eee a ieee en eae ee oe ee see cee ae D Seen aed eee ee Se a ee Track width: (WWSS system) 16¥ain (42imm); (HVSS system) 23in (584mm). Weight: unstowed, 62,700 Ib (28,500kg); combat ready, 66,801 Ib (50,364ka). eee eae Ty Pee Nes NS ea Sree ee er nen Mee NSE ce ne TEC) Shee etna ee ee oe Ce ae ern? Sena een ioe ae eae eo the 76mm, resulting in a considerable front overhang. ones (ease Meee at ee ene estate ence nea! ent enon fen en aad Pinan eet) MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 41M4A2 Design work on the third Sherman variant, the M4A2, or Sherman Ill to the British Army, started in late 1941, with a pilot model available by April of the following year. Like the base model M4 - which, it is worth mentioning, did not actually enter production until July 1942 - the M4A2 had a hull of welded construction. In fact, it was the first US-designed tank to go into production that was fabricated by welding rolled-steel plate. ‘© 61402, one of just 540 examples produced by Federal Machine & Welder; note the sand skirts. ‘owever, don’t imagine that ‘the ‘Aa’ sufix indicated that this was, in any sense, a better Sherman than its predecessors. ‘A shortage of Wright and Continental radial engines meant that this was essentially the same tank, but now fitted witha pair of liquid-cooled two-stroke diesel truck engines. ‘This allowed production lines to be established at additional sites giving a useful increase in the numbers of, tanks able to be produced. Production started in April 1942, the same month that the pilot model was completed, with construction initially taking place at both the newly-built GM Fisher Body Tank Plant in Grand Blane, Michigan, and at the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company in Chicago. ‘The first M4A2 to come off the production line at GM Fisher was handed over to Aberdeen Proving Ground for trials, where it was eventually declared that there were no downsides to the change of engine, and that the diesel-engined M4A2 ‘was ‘at Ieast as reliable’ as the radial- engined Mq and M4Ax, whilst, at the same time, it was slightly more powerful. A dozen early producti vehicles were subsequently evaluated 42 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE€@ ‘The naming of parts. line drawing taken from a British Army raining pamphlet dated 1945.1 Revolving turret hatch, 2 Turret seat, 3 Gunner's seat, 4 Commander's and loader’s seats, 5 Engine oll fiter, 6 Water header tank, 7 Air cleaners, & Radiator, 9 Water drain tap control, 10 ler wheel, N! Water pump, 12Oil cooler, IS Air blower, V4 Starter motor, Is Transfer gear case, 16 Generator, 17 Clutch idle lover and lockout assembly, 18 Clutch pedal, 19 Accelerator, 20 Gearbox, 21 Track-driving sprocket, 22 Steering levers, 23 Driver's and hull gunners seats MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 431 Factory-fresh Detroit Diesel 6-71 diesel engine. Between them the two engines could produce 4IObhp (SO6KW) from a total of. 13962 (852in), (Generar Motors) ‘© Another view of the Federal Machine & Welder M&A2. by the US Army 5" Armored Division under the auspices of the Desert Warfare Board, and a further six vehicles were subjected to the same series of trials in February 1943, Despite the use of larger air cleaners con these later vehicles, the diesel engines proved to be sensitive to dust resulting in reports of poor reliability. ‘The major difference between the MqAz and what had gone before, lay simply in the choice of power plant, with the Wright radial engine of the Mg and MqA1 variants replaced by twin GM Detroit Diesel 6046D supercharged two-stroke diesel engines, with a maximum power output of 4zobhp (306KW) from a total of 13,962c¢ (853in’). Each engine had its own clutch, although both were controlled by a single pedal, and the output shafts from the clutches were coupled together via a system of helical gears before ‘being connected via a propeller shaft to the transmission, With somewhat reduced performance, it was possible to run the tank on just one engine by locking out one of the clutches using a control on the hand throttle bracket. ‘When compared to the M4A1, any other differences were largely confined to the hull. Like the original ‘Mg, the upper areas of the hull were fabricated from a mix of rolled-steel plate and steel castings, giving ita distinctive ‘cheese box’ outline and providing a little more interior space than the M4Au, The nose of the lower 44 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE‘© Production line for the Detroit Diesel 6-7. (General Motors) hull, which contained the differential, originally consisted of three major assemblies that were bolted together, Dut in early 1944, this was superseded by a one-piece casting which greatly improved ballistie performance. Very early vehicles had spoked road wheels, although these were soon superseded by solid dise wheels, and, similarly, pilot and early production ‘models had the track-return rollers ‘mounted on top of the road-wheel bogies. Following criticism of this arrangement, this was quickly superseded by the heavy-duty vertical ‘volute-spring suspension (VVSS) system where the return rollers were mounted on the trailing edge of the bogie. As with M4A1 variant, later models (M4A2E8, or Sherman IITAY) ‘were fitted with the horizontal volute- spring suspension system (HVSS). ‘Small modifications were made to the hull during the produetion life of the vehicle. For example, during 1943, GM Fisher made small changes to the varions cast components that ‘were welded to the glacis plate, including the driver's hoods, and the bow machine-gun port. An additional escape hatch was incorporated into the turret in December 1943, allowing easier, or pethaps quicker, access by the loader who no longer would M4A2 have to wait for both the gunner and the commander to exit before him. Aretrofit kit was made available to allow existing tanks to be modified. At much the same time tanks built by the GM Fisher were fitted with enlarged driver’s hatches. ‘The original main gun for the ‘MaA2 was the 75mm M3, a low- velocity gun that was capable of fring various types of armour-piercing, high-explosive and phosphorous rounds at a maximum rate of 20 rounds a minute. In late 1943, the original gun was replaced by the improved 7omm M1 gun, firing similar types of round, and mounted MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 45NS OF TEETH r SHERMAN TRANSFER RATIO, CRANKSHAFT TO DRIVESHAFT, 1137 25038", 99" 13. I tm. ENGINE & TRANSMISSION, {© Layout of the engines and transmission, in a new turret designated T80. The ‘76mm gun was subsequently fitted ‘with a muzzle brake which saw the designation change to M1AiC. Due to difficulties with the mount, the new gun was not accepted for service until duly 1944. ‘The Sherman was easily penetrated by nearly all ofthe Wehrmacht’s anti- tank weapons, including the hand- held Panzerfaust, and was no better suited to tank-on-tank combat with the Wehrmacht’ finest. However, ‘one area where the Sherman did exhibit advantage over the German opposition, particularly in Normandy where the fighting tended to be at lose range, was in its mechanical simplicity and reliability, as well as the speed at which the turret could be traversed which often left, saya Panther, struggling to find the target “whilst the Sherman could get off several shots during the same time. Production ‘The lion's share of M4A2 production came from the GM Fisher plant, with a total of 7508; Pullman- Standard were responsible for 46 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4A2 (© 61402 taking part ina victory parade. ‘© M482 Kangaroo photographed in Caen in 1944, (Library and Archives of Canada) —d eae POET ee (© 61402 Kangaroa MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 47‘Whom ordering further copies please quote AFVP/VP/3. (SuperedesAFVP/VP/1), SHERMAN III VEHICLE TRAINING PAMPHLET Without projudice to any Wer Office publication om this subject tehich may be issued. Produced, Published and Issued by ABV, Publications Section, AED. School, Botingtin: Camp, Dorset. a further 2737 examples. The ‘M4Az subsequently also went into production at four more plants: American Locomotive, who built 150; Baldwin Locomotive, who built 19; Federal Machine & Welder, with a total of 540; and Pressed Steel who were responsible for 21, ‘The grand total of MqA2 production was 10,968, all of them constructed between April 1942 and May 1945. A total of 8053 were fitted. with the medium-velocity 75mm gun, and 2915 with the long- barrelled. ‘76mm gun (Sherman 111A), with all but 21 of the latter being constructed by GM Fisher, M4A2 conversions US Army Sherman M4Azs were also used as the basis for the M32B2 armoured recovery vehicle as well as for other specialised conversions. Similarly, the British Army also produced an armoured recovery vehicle by removing the turrets from a number of M4A2s (and other Sherman variants) and fiting a powerful mechanical winch and a removable A-frame jib. And, between October 1944 and April 1945, some 75 redundant M4A2s of the British Army had their turrets and armaments removed and were converted to armoured personnel carriers (APC) to accommodate ten men, plus a two- ‘man crew, in which guise they were dubbed ‘Kangaroo’. Alternative power unit In 1943, an experimental M4A2, designated M4A2E1, was produced by GM as.a private project with a single GM V8 diesel in place of the twin 6046D engines. Producing 600bhp from around 24 litres, the engine was developed from what was effectively half of the sixteen-cylinder 16-1848 marine diesel. Despite acquitting itself extremely well during trials at Aberdeen Proving Ground between May 1944 and March 1945, the tank was not adopted for production. eter ener Below: British Army training pamphlet eer eety 48 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEDeg SEE VEHICLES AND MAJOR PRODUCTION CHANGES Peer Pease) frei) 1943 Sees eee ee hE eer etl] Goer frees is een ee eae eee eee er) 1943 M4A2 with spaced VVSS suspension and track grousers Seer zea TTR UY Re ee ere ee nee ce eed a ee te ee eee oe eee ean See at ee er ett ce e rere Sa da A Er Eo So poner ete ee erect teeta ne ene ee ee eee a ee eee eee eee ety eae ee een on ed ao Se aT aE) horizontal volute-spring suspension (HVSS). Fee Esmee ood EAA AE See ee) sete Ser se ES a TN ANE in 344, appliqué armour patches, ln (25mm) thick were welded tothe front corners ofthe turret to compensate for thinning oF Se ee ee eee te et ee eet eee eee Sy the sides ofthe hull, adjacent to the fuel tanks and the ammunition bins Sane aE CET oe ert ta ann eee se hea Poo) eS RE Na A EO NAN Co Bae Se NA ST TEE Poe eT ea TES ES NN ET BS SN TT TSS ‘The apparent increase in fength for those tanks that were equipped with the 7émm gun was simply down to the dferences eee teen anager ete oom ES gt RI SC SST Poa Ea PoE ae ea) aro MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 49M4A3 The US Army's preferred va GAA V8 petrol engine Dee ele Mult: ae With its welded hull, powerful V8 petrol engine, and latterly with the more-effective horizontal volute-spring suspension (HVSS), the M4A3 was probably the best of the Sherman variants, and, until 1944, was reserved strictly for the US Army. When compared to the German tanks, and particularly those emerging in the later years of the war, the M4A3 was neither particularly well armoured, nor was it well armed, but it was relatively cheap, it was easy to drive, and was extremely reliable. (0 The first Ford-produced M&AS. (Ford Motor Company) he first example was constructed. by the Ford Motor Company and appeared in May 1942. When Ford discontinued tank production on 15 September 1943, the ‘M4Ag continued to be manufactured at the Detroit Tank Arsenal as well as at the GM Fisher Tank Arsenal, with all three versions offering high interchangeability of parts. Regardless of the mamufaeturer, all M4Ags were powered by Ford's mighty GAA V8 petrol engine, which produced 5oobhp (373KW) from a capacity of 18,026ce (1100in'). The GAA was based on an experimental 12-cylinder aircraft engine which Ford hhad designed in 1940 asa private venture at a cost of $2 million. When subsequently ‘cut-down’ to eight cylinders for use in tanks, the first example of this engine ran on atest bed for 85 hours without problems, and was authorised by the US Ordnance Committee for use in the Sherman in January 1942. ‘Naturally aspirated, and breathing, through a pair of huge Stromberg carburettors, the GAA engine was constructed around lightw aluminium-alloy blocks and heads, thus ensuring an excellent power- to-weight ratio, and was fitted with double overhead cams operating four valves per cylinder. This was the only engine to be fitted into any of, 50 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4A3 ‘© Te chalk inscription on the hull declares that thi Sherman is the S0,000th combat vehicle to be shipped from Ford's Chester Tank Depot (Ford Motor Company) ‘© Although passenger car production ceased in the USA from February 1942 to October 1945, nevertheless the major motor ‘manufacturers continued to advertise, reminding potential buyers that they were still in business. Here's one such advert from the Ford Motor Company: MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 51ure you'd be encouraged to climb on the machine these 52. | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4A3 © Newy-built M&AS displayed outside Ford's Rouge River plant. (Ford Motor Company) MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 53© Touching-up the paintwork at the end of the production process. The photograph was taken at Ford's Highland Park plant. (ord Motor Company) «© Early production example of the M&AS, 54 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESt ee eee tener ei eae © ear view of the M4ASEB with HVSS suspension, the Sherman variants that had been specifically designed for use asa tank engine and, in operation, proved itself to be remarkably trouble-free, as well as being easier to access for ‘maintenanee and repair. The use of the GAA engine was said to have increased the operational life of tank engines from 100 to 400 hours ‘The first three M4Ag tanks to be produced by Ford were taken to the GM Proving Ground for extended trials, the results of which called for some minor modifications. One production was underway, newly completed tanks were subjected to shakedown tests extending to 100 miles (162km), with the figure being reduced to just 25 miles (gokm) in the light of experience. Ford also produced the armoured plate for the hull. The hull differed litte from that used for the M4A2, although it was constructed from fewer components which meant that Jess welding was required, and all MaAgs were fitted with a one-piece cast nose. The reduced height of the GAA engine when compared to the radials used in the M4 and M4A1 variants, placed the drive-shaft Jower down in the hull, and thus allowed additional clearance under the turret basket. Early examples featured direct vision slots for the driver, and dry ammunition stowage. Unfortunately, when stowed in this way, the ammunition proved to be vulnerable to enemy fire and, from 1944, the ammunition was stowed in racks on either side of the drive-shatt, and was protected by 35 (imperial) gallons (156 litres) of mixed glycerine and water. This was described as, ‘wet ammunition stowage’, and was MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 55g s 3 = 5 2(© MAS being put through (Fe MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 57vonicie ‘DATA ACCELERATOR «© Driver's position in the M43 withthe major controls identified. indicated by the addition of a ‘W" suffix to the model designation, for example M4A3W. ‘The first M443 Shermans were fitted with the heavy-duty vertical volute- spring suspension system (VVSS). In common with other variants, the later M4AgE8, which was often described as the ‘Easy Eight’ by Gls, and the ‘M4AgE9, which was also fitted with ‘duck-bill’ track grousers, both ran on the superior horizontal volute-spring suspension system (HVSS) enabling the use of wider tracks that were less prone to being thrown. Like other Sherman variants, the ‘null was able to accommodate a crew of five men, consisting of commander, gunner, loader, driver, and co-driver/ ‘machine gunner. Armaments Initially, the turret was identical to that already in production, and the MgAg was equipped with the 75mm Mg main gun in the Mg4A1 mount. ‘This was subsequently replaced by the longer-barrelled 76mm MxA1 ‘weapon carried in an M62 mount and installed in a version of the turret that had originally been designed for the ‘Tag medium tank. Like the original ‘M4, the M43 was also fitted with the 105mm Mg howitzer, and almost all ofthe tanks that were so equipped lacked power traverse. ‘The M4A3E2 ‘Jumbo’ Sherman During May and June 1944, GM Fisher Tank Arsenal used a production M4A2 as the basis for the development of what was deseribed as the M4A3K2 assault tank. Actual produetion examples, of which there was ultimately a reported total of 254, ‘were based on the M4A3. ‘The M4AgE2 was designed to provide infantry support during the invasion of Europe when the US Army believed that they would come up against large numbers of German heavy tanks. The hull was up-armoured on all surfaces, with an additional 1¥ain (38mm) of frontal armour welded to the glacs plate, and was equipped with a new heavy, box-shaped turret with 6in (152mm) of forward-facing armour, mounting the 75mm M3 gun; some units replaced this in the field with the ‘76mm gun. The considerable increase in weight, which was up to 84,000 Ib (38,182kg), required the overall gearing to be reduced, and brought the top speed of the tank down to 22mph (36km/h). Non-standard 24in (Gromm) tracks were fitted, which required the bogie units to be spaced away from the hull, Classified as ‘limited standard’, the M4A3E2 was unofficially called ‘Jumbo’ on account of its somewhat unwieldy handling, One M4A3E2, named ‘Cobra King’, has achieved a degree of notoriety. twas first used in combat in 1944, and was the first tank to enter the Bastogne perimeter to relieve the American 101st Airborne Division. ‘The tank survived the war and served asa gate guardian at various US Army bases in West Germany, before finally ending up at the National Museum 58 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4A3 MEDIUM M4A5_ TANK 1 (© The instrument panel of the MAAS was tucked away to the driver's lat (© 614838 76mm on display. (David Doyle) MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 59M4A3 Pr CT ORDNANCE INSPECTION a Pe oCO bah melt) Peete eer ere ees «© Prototype forthe so-called M4ASE2 ‘Jumbo Sherman heavy assault tank: note the addtional armour welded tothe upper hullin_@ Manufacturer's data plate forthe Ford GAA petrol engine, tevery conceivable postion, (Ford Motor Company) (© The M4A3 was powered by Ford's GAA, a V8 petrol engine which produced S0Obhp (37SKW) from a capacity of 18,026cc (NOOin} (Ford Motor Company) 60 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4A3 ‘© Production example of the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman! MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 61M4A3 1 B58" OVER AMMUNITION PROTECTOR PLATES, on 91-894’ OVER WA MTS. 3. 8 3 g & gs L e-8' ef or 5 19 15 aor OVER SANDSHELD SECURNE Bers. hese ets eo ay Saatheres SHERMAN_IY B. SCALE = Yaa JTLINE. fiteod— rn oro OUTLINE. 1 Outline drawing forthe MAAS. ‘© Annotated photograph of the M4A3EB 76mm taken from a US (© 6.4A3E8 Tamm atthe Patton Museum of Cavaty and Armor, Fort ‘army official publication. Knox Kentucky. of the United States Army at Fort 4542 with the 76mm (M4A3E4 or howitzer, alongside the original Ma, Belvoir, Washington, Sherman IVA), and a further 3039 with this was the only Sherman to be the 105mm howitzer (Sherman IVB). equipped with this weapon. The GM Production ‘The bulk of the production (7056 _ Fisher plant produced 3596 examples, Production of the M4Ag ended in examples) came from the Detroit of which go71 were equipped with the March 1945, by which time atotalof Tank Arsenal, and of these, 4017 75mm gun, and 525 with the 76mm, 12,342 had been constructed. Ofthese, examples were armed with the 76mm Ford produced just 1690 examples, all 4761 were fitted with the 75mm gun, _gun, and 3039 with the 15mm of them armed with the 75mm gun, 62 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE«© victory’. wo gts who have probably known nothing but war during thelr short lives, standing on the hull of an M4ASEB. ‘TANK, MEDIUM, M4A3, 76MM GUN Th MI 9-710) 8 MEDIUM TANK M4A3 (© US Army training manual forthe M&A, dated September 1954. Ford continued to build the GAA engine throughout the war, eventually setting up a production line at the Lincoln Plant in Detroit where a total of 26,979 engines were constructed, ‘oomoxay vata with about half of these being installed in Shermans. During the post-war years, surplus GAA engines ‘became something ofa favourite with (© Official data sheet forthe MASE 7émm. builders of extreme hot-rod cars. MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 63ST ERE TENT UAT ea UT Pree ae Presto) Zeal rr ets ee eet ier Er Fee eae eee ae ee a ered rr Beene eas eres Era eesti een ene ines) icra Prototype for M4A3 (76mm) with HVSS suspension and wet Pita anteater raer=) Era eee ee eee eee SCRA TETRIS Manufacturers: Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal, Warren, Michigan; Ford Motor Company, Highland Seen kee cae ceca ae iy Michigan; GM Fisher Tank Arsenal, Grand Blane, Michigan, Per teiaeee Bees eee ee Eo eee oes eres ea eee nen i oa en mss en ea) stroke, 137x152mm; 80 octane petrol; compression ratio, 75:1; overhead valves; gross power output, S00bhp (373kW); net power output, 450bhp (336kW). enna Meese Steere as oe eae er Reo ene ees ae [SSM eke eet Mater one eee sa ete eae No reese Me ine een ease ea eae) Hulk front, early to mid production, Zin (Simm), late production, 2-4¥4in (51-108mm), sides, SPAN ana ARN Sc ae A al ee Ae eat) Turret: gun shield, 3%in (88mm); rotor shield, Zin (Simm); front, 3in (76mm); sides, 2in (Simm) Pere lar Manta} ee ese ea ee Paar eal eae eae ne cas ean PeMet ae Sem aN = aa Se = ean er Ae AU a TA Et Turret: gun shield, 7in (178mm); front, 6in (152mm); sides, 6in (152mm); rear, 6in (152mm); Scent ea eae Hull: front, 2-4%4in (S1-108mm); sides, Pin (8mm); rear, Pain (88MM); top, %in (13mm); floor, PaiMtee Tua Geen ea ct eee ie PN ie aa Feat staal} 64 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEREN eo Te eT eA Ree Ce rene en Peet Turret: gun shield, 334in (Simm); front, 3in (76mm); sides, Zin (Simm), rear, 2in (Simm); top, Tin (25mm). nee epee eg Sega ed Brrr enter gae rc! Ce ee a Reet uae marae eee Ra Rc Or eR eee ia eaten eee geen ee ku Re Pe rect tala al ned eee Arne teeta eRe ete eee nea eee en eee tae eee PMR ae enone anaes ae sae cnc taaR as Pee eee al PPT =r aN Canta ONS ch, 108in (243mm. Track width: (VSS system only) 16¥2in (421mm). Weight: unstowed, 62,500 Ib (28,409kg); combat ready, 66,700 Ib (30.519kg). Pease Ce soe aD Ree eae ean =a eae sect Siete re a a ce en RAC Pee aed rs ont Rea eoMT MS cde eian serer AAO VEC Pies eae Festa eat Oe ne eee Bite ae a SE eNO ee See aed as oe MSN ON NEC cela seat aed eeeee Le pens siege cae ee ae aetna Se Cee ae a cue auc uc tek arnt) Pere Om eee a ee Rene ars rere! Pies er Peete eae eet eR ON Cea ae ee Se Se rete Re a Po Pao ee Te aren ts ote SOON EON ee seta eee AON CAE Peres ea ese tes an oS ee a eee feaeavia) PR ane ano eaten nesta eta kteenenta intake area enn eee) MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 65M4A4 ee RR eee Came muha powered Sherman Notwithstanding the choice of weapon, either a 7mm, 76mm or 10Smm gun, there are just two crucial issues defining the differences between the six major variants of the M4 Sherman. Firstly, the mode of construction of the hull, which is either cast, welded, or hybrid casthwelded, and, secondly, the selection of a suitable power unit. And when it comes to describing power units, the M444, with its curious so-called ‘multi-bank’ engine, assembled from five six-cylinder Chrysler petrol engines is certainly the most intriguing. he Chrysler Ag7 multi-bank engine had originally been conceived for the Shermar predecessor, the Mg medium tank, in order to circumvent a shortage of radial engines. It was designed in a matter of months during 1941 using as many standard parts as possible, and was installed, experimentally, in an M3 on 15 November 1941, Following some 4000 miles (6500km) of winter running, the engine was approved by the US Ordnance Committee for use in the M4 Sherman in February 1942. Production of the M4A4 started at Chrysler's Detroit Arsenal facility in July 1942, replacing the earlier ‘Mg and M3A4, production of which ended in August of that year. ‘The engine was sometimes known as the eggbeater’ by erities on account of its mechanical complexity; you ‘may also find it nicknamed the “Dionne Quints’ after the Canadian- born quintuplets of 1934 who were the first such to survive infaney. It consisted, essentially, of five Chrysler six-cylinder side-valve petrol engines, with a total power output of 4asbhp (317kW) from a capacity of 20,533¢e (1253in‘), that had been combined ona single crankcase containing a central drive-shaft. Although large and heavy, it was an innovative, and rapidly-realised approach to the shortage of suitable power units for the medium tank, albeit that Chrysler {© Loading the ammunition into an Mas Firefly warned the Ordnance Board that it ‘might not be ‘an ideal tank engine’. Each of the power units was derived from the cast-iron cylinder blocks and heads of Chrysler's Royal C-16 motorcar engine, a ‘straight six’ design that had been introduced in 1937. Changes were made to the camshaft drive arrangements, but nevertheless, as many standard parts as possible were used in the construction, thus permitting production to start with the minimum delay through the use of existing machine tools. Each engine retained its own distributor, starter motor and Carter carburettor, with all five of the latter raised so that they were at a common height. In early production, each engine also retained its own belt-driven water pump but this arrangement was 66 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEPiieiet esa) (© Chryster-built M44 participating in a War Bonds event at the Detroit Air Show. (Chrysler Corporation) 19 The side elevation of the M/s Firefly shows the longer barrel length ofthe V7-pounder (762mm) gun. subsequently abandoned in favour of a single gear-driven pump. Since at least two of the component engines were effectively upside down, the designers adopted a dry-sump configuration, with the addition of a large oil cooler. ‘The five crankshafts fed power toa single central shaft by means of ring gears and thus to the transmission. “According to a Chrysler advertisement in the February 1944 edition of Popular Science magazine, the engine was still capable of moving the tank, admittedly not very quickly, with two of the five engines disabled! It hardly seems necessary to point out that MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 67‘© Although viewed by many as being too complicated for its own good, the 30-cylinder CChyysler A'57 engine produced a total power output of 25bhp (SI7KW) from a pacity (0f20,533ce (1253in’). what's more it proved itself to be more than reliable. (Chyster Corporation) the size of the engine required some modification to the hull to actually get it into the engine compartment, and even then, access to many of the components was all but impossible unless the engine was first removed, ‘These engines were amongst a total of 150,000 engines of all types constructed at the Chrysler-Jefferson plant at East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit during WW2. ‘As regards other automotive features, the M4A4 used the standard five-speed transmission coupled to a front-mounted differential, with the final drive via the front sprockets. ‘The standard vertical volute-spring ‘The hull itself was of five-piece welded construction, generally with the bolted three-piece differential housing, and was based on that used for the original Ma, but extended by some 6¥ain (165mm) to give an overall length of 238in (605;7mm), with the additional space allocated to the engine compartment, Changes were made to the spacing of the central and rear-most bogies to accommodate the extra length, and, of course, with four additional shoes each side, the tracks ‘were longer. Other changes included. bulge in the engine cover to clear the radiator, which, contrary to normal practice, was atthe forward end of the engine. And finaly, since there was no room for them, the vertical fuel tanks ‘were eliminated, whilst those in the sponsons were enlarged to hold 80 (imperial) gallons (363 litres). Despite the increased length, the hull was cramped, particularly when closed down, but there was space for the usual five-man crew, consisting of commander, gunner, loader, driver, and co-driver/machine gunner. Armaments In ts standard form, the M44 was only ever equipped with the original 75mm Mg main gun, firstly carried in the narrow M34 mount, and later in the wider Mg4Ar; there were never any 76mm or 105mm gun M4A4s. A total of 97 75mm rounds were carried inside the hull, with stowage space for 12 rounds inside the turret basket. ‘There was also the usual complement of 12.7mm and 0.3oin machine guns on the turret roof, mounted co-axially with the main gun on the turret face, and in the bow; unlike other M4 variants, there was no turret-mounted smoke-grenade launcher. Production By April 1942, Chrysler had produced more than 2000 M3 tanks and by July of that year had changed production from the Mg to the M4, with the first example of the latter rolling out of the plant on 22 July. Curiously, the M4A4 was the first Sherman variant to be phased ut of production. By the time the 68. | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVEM4A4 line was shut down in September 1943, Chrysler had constructed 7499 examples, together with some 5000 spare engines. Nevertheless, production of the Sherman continued at the Detroit Tank Arsenal, which, by the end of the war, had built a total of almost 18,000 Shermans. The plant ‘was eventually closed in 1996. In 1043, the M4Aq was also used as the basis for the diesel-engined ‘M4A6 variant, with just 75 examples constructed. And, during the post- war years the M44 was used by the Israeli Army as the basis for the so-called Mgo Super Sherman which was equipped with a new Continental R-975 radial engine, identical to those originally fitted to the Mq and M4A1 variants, together with a French high- velocity 75mm gun. Reliability Almost all of the M4A4 production went to Britain under the Lend-Lease arrangements where it was known as the Sherman V; only a small number remained in the USA for training purposes. This, despite a competitive trial at Aberdeen Proving Ground in, February 1944, in which four multi- bank engined tanks were pitched head- to-head against 12 other tanks, each powered by one of three engine types. ‘Three of the four mult-bank engined vehicles finished the 4000 mile (6500km) trial, together with just one of the other 12 tanks. Nevertheless, the US Army remained nervous about the Chrysler engine's reliability, which led to the M4A4 not being approved for Ammy use overseas. ‘The British Army did not share this experience and, apparently, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) reported that engine was ‘very reliable’, and were on record. saying that it had an anticipated life of around 2000 miles (3300km), providing that sodium-filed exhaust valves were fitted. fenton Cee eee to MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 69Leh Mad stowage diag SHERMAN FIREFLY eee ce iy dere nies Ree RC tess eae acy eter ota Pre nareees ae Peete Paras eee ace ee ren pre ieee oat Parr Oe core cha were available by late July 1944, ate ear aeea Pee The introduction of the Firefly in ant that the Sherman W eerie and Panthe power of the Firefly ea Pere Rtn Tee gy Peer ats Poe eernne ret ed Peeks aera canis Beene ger atl 70 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVESee RSET CT Cee ae eer Pease) irr 1942 Pree aC Me Sa PH TTL) POE sen ee se Te Peerenryeesd Total number produced: 7500. Automotive detall Engine: Chrysler A-S7; 20,533cc (I253in}), 5x six cylinders, water cooled; bore and stroke, Nixi4mm; 60 eee eet ne eee Te ota Transmission: SFIR; front sprocket drive. Ese NaN ests Fe eee ea Seems eseaneZ a any FE et St EN NN LE See ca ee Ne (elo Mata} aoa Ege Rea) ee ae Le ages ene Ce tence Rs casting. Protective armour patches were also applied to the sides of the hull, adjacent to the fuel tanks and eerie aetna eee Main gun: 75mm M3 gun, of British 17-pounder (Sin, 762mm) anti-tank gun (Firefly). Secondary weapons: 1x12:7mm machine gun on turret anti-aircraft mount; 1x co-axial 030in machine gun Tce eR ee eae see ae ec esceeD Peace as Length, 238in (6057mm); width, 103in (2616mm); height, over turret hatch, 108in (2743mm). Track width: (VVSS system only) 16%4in (421mm), Ene ee RecN None se sect AO NEEL Pineaeen essen Na Length, 309in (7489mm); width, 103in (2616mm); height, over turret hatch, 108in (2743mm). rete am Seta Meee Weight: unstowed, 67,800 Ib (30,818kg); combat ready, 72,100 Ib (31,682ka). eaeace) (nee etn ns ad eae) Perineal ante Reinet ta) einen eo Pn ee CEC) MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE | 71M4A5, M4A6 ea CE The mysterious Canadian M4AS5, and the Caterpillar diesel-engined M4A6 Having dealt with the most numerous and best-known of the Sherman variants, it is time to lift the veil on the mystery that is the M4AS, and to take a more detailed look at the, now extraordinarily rare, M4A6 variants, the latter of which were powered by a unique Caterpillar RD-1820 radial multi-fuel diesel engine. Maas As regards the M4A, the simplest solution isto say that, as far as the Sherman family is concerned, it never really existed, Originally identified as the M3 (Canadian)’, or occasionally, even as the MgA6, and based on the American ‘Mg medium, the designation M445 ‘was assigned to the Canadian Ram. tank on 17 February 1942 in what might be termed a bureaueratie expedient. Some commentators believe that only the Ram II was identified in this way, others claim that the designation was applied to both the Ram I and Ram IL ‘Now, as any WW2 tank enthusiast knows, the Ram was a hybrid vehicle, constructed by Montreal Locomotive Works using the chassis and running gear of the US M3 medium tank, but with the turret basket, or platform, of the Sherman, a east hull, and a British-designed turret that mounted either a 2-pounder (gomm) or 6-pounder (57mm) gun; the former was designated Ram I, the latter as Ram IL, The Ram Twas powered by the Continental R-975EC2 nine- cylinder 15,945¢¢ (973in) radial engine, driving the front sprockets through a five-speed transmission, whilst for the Ram I, the original engine was replaced by the R-975C1, thus gaining an additional 1obhp skW). A total of 2032 Ram tanks were produced during the period January 1942 to July 1943, some © The designation M&AS was assigned to the Canadian Rarn,a hybrid vehicle consisting of the chassis and running gear of the US Army's M3 medium, combined with a cast hull and Btish-designed turret mounting either a 2-pounder (40mm) ar 6-pounder (S7ram) gun. 1899 of which were of the Ram II configuration, but the Ram was only ever used for training purposes and never saw any combat... and, despite the M4A5 designation, whatever this tank was, it was definitely not a Sherman! ME1 and M4A6 During 1942, the Caterpillar Tractor Company of Peoria, Minois, produced ‘a multi-fuel engine by modifying ‘a Curtiss-Wright R-1820 (G200) Cyclone 9 air-cooled radial engine in such a way that it would run on. any petroleum-based fuel, including 100 octane gasoline, crude oil, and. diesel fuel. The design retained the cylinders, crankshaft and gear-driven supercharger of the original petrol engine, combining these with newly- developed pistons and cylinder heads, together with a new lubrication system, The US Ordnance Committee was sufficiently impressed to request that 7 | MILITARY VEHICLES ARCHIVE