M4 Sherman

Sherman tank

The M4 General Sherman tank was the main tank designed and built by the US for use in World War II. It was named after Union General William Tecumseh Sherman. The name is often shortened to M4 Sherman or simply Sherman.
Its high profile and rounded top made it an easy target but it was rather fast and manoeuvrable, reliable, easy to produce and service.

Production History

Variants

• M4
  • M4(105mm)
• M4A1
• M4A2
• M4A3
  • M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo
• M4A4
• M4A5
• M4A6

UK variants

• Sherman I - M4
  • Sherman IB - M4 with a 105mm howitzer.
  • Sherman IC - M4A1 with a 17pdr gun.
• Sherman II - M4A1 with a 75mm gun.
  • Sherman IIA - M4A1 with a 76mm gun.
• Sherman III - M4A2 with a 75mm gun.
• Sherman IV - M4A3 with a 75mm gun.
  • Sherman IVB - M4A3 with a 105mm howitzer.
  • Sherman IVC - M4A3 with a 17-pdr gun.
• Sherman V - M4A4 with a 75mm gun.
  • Sherman VC - M4A4 with a 17-pdr gun.

Shermans with the 17pdr gun were known as Fireflies.

Combat Performance

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Characteristics

M4A2

• Length: 19' 5" (5.92m)
• Width: 8' 7" (2.62m)
• Height: 9' (2.74m)
• Weight: 30 tons
• Speed: 30 mph (48km/h)
• Range: 150 miles (240 km)
• Crew: 5
• Armament:
  • Primary: 75mm Gun
  • Secondary:
    • One .50 caliber Browning M2 MG
    • Two .30 caliber Browning M1919 MG
• Power plant: 375hp General Motors 6046 12 cylinder inline diesel

M4A4 VC Firefly

• Length: 19' 4" (5.89m)
• Width: 8' 7" (2.62m)
• Height: 9' (2.75m)
• Weight:
• Speed: 25mph (40km/h)
• Range: 120 miles (193km)
• Crew: 5
• Armament:
  • Primary: 76mm (17-pound) Gun
  • Secondary:
    • One .50 caliber Browning M2 MG
    • Two .30 caliber Browning M1919 MG
• Power plant: 400hp Continental 9-cylinder radial

See also

• American tank production during World War II

External Links

• http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoelstra/g104/
• http://search.eb.com/normandy/articles/Sherman_tank.html
• http://www.panzergeneral.com/pzg3d/3.html

Referenced By