U.S. Sherman and their variants
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Website from Doug Chaltry.
Visit the website from Doug Chaltry for information about the history of the Sherman Tank. In the article you found also available Sherman kits and his manufacturers.
Medium Tank M2 - M2A1
When the Second World War broke out, the United States had one of the smallest and most obsolete armored forces in the world. This was due to budget constraints and outdated military doctrines. In an attamp to upgrade its forces, The M2 and M2A1 medium tanks were developed from components of the M2 Light Tank. By the time these tanks were ready for production, events in Europe had shown just how obsolete they were and the M2 and M2A1 never saw combat, being relegated to the training role.
M2 - early type
M2A1 - last type - scratchbuild
In August 1939 production of fifteen of these medium tanks was authorised at Rock Island Arsenal.Main armament of this 19 ton, six-man tank, was a 37mm gun. It also had no less than eight machine-guns. It was powered by a 350hp air-cooled radial engine and was the tank from which the M3 "Grant"and "Lee" and the famous Sherman M4 evolved during WWII.
The differents between the M2 and M2A1 are the turrets and some modifications.
Medium Tank M3 - General Lee(US) and General Grant(UK)
Since it was not possible to develop a new tank to replace the M2 which could carry a turret mounted 75mm gun, it was decided to design an interim tank until a 75mm turret could be developed. This result in the M3 which mounted a 75mm gun in a sponson on the right side and a 47mm gun in a revolving turret on the top of the hull.
M3 - General "Lee" (US41 Milicast)
M3 - General "Grant" (UK02 Milicast)
The Lee/Grant had a crew of seven, a top speed of 24mph, weighed about 28tons and had a armour some 2.5 inch thick.
Based on the M3 there were many variants
M3A1 - cast hull - different side door
M3A2 - welded hull - eliminated rivets
M3A3 - welded hull with diesel engine - different rearside - deleted side and rear doors
M3A4 - welded and lengthened hull - new engine - deleted side doors and stowage boxes
M31 ARV - Recovery, based on Mirage's M3 Lee. (The crane, and all conversions are scratch built, ESCI/Italeri hard plastic tracks (extra two links needed). The Mirage PE light guards came with the kit.
.
M3 CDL - (Canal Defense Light)
Sherman Identification
M4A1 - Continental R-975 gasoline engine, cast hull.
The M4A1 was the only version with a completely cast hull.
The earliest type with the three-piece, bolted nose with M3 suspension.
The second and third types with single-piece, cast noses and M4 suspension. (second and third has different rounding)
Produced 9677 vehicles, whereof 6281 with 75mm gun and 3396 with 76mm gun.
M4 - Continental R-975 gasoline engine, welded or composite hull
The M4 had the same engine deck as the M4A1, but with a welded hull.
The earliest type with the three-piece, bolted nose with M3 suspension.
The second and third types with single-piece, cast noses with M4 suspension
The M4 composite had a cast hull front, and a welded rear hull.
Produced 8389 vehicles, whereof 6748 with 75mm gun and 1641 with 105mm howitzer
M4A2 - twin General Motors 6-71 diesel engines, welded hull
Has different unique engine deck.
Lend-Lease vehicle, using in Russian Army, British Army and US Marine Corps.
Produced 11.283 vehicles, whereof 8053 with 75mm gun and 3230 with 76mm gun
M4A3 - Ford GAA V-8 gasoline engine, welded hull
Has different unique engine deck.
Standard Tank for US Army
Produced 11.424 vehicles, whereof 5015 with 75mm gun, 3370 with 76mm gun and 3039 with 105mm howitzer
M4A4 - Chrysler WC Multi-bank engine, lengthened welded hull
The M4A4 had a hull that was substantially longer than the others, so both the welded and composite M4A4's should also be fairly recognizable (look at the distance between road wheels).
Lend-Lease vehicle, most used in British Army
Produced 7499 vehicles, all with the 75mm gun
M4A5 - Not used for a Sherman vehicle, but used for the Canadian Ram Tanks.
M4A6 - Caterpillar RD-1820 diesel engine, lengthened welded or composite hull
The M4A6 used an M4A4 composite hull with a distinctive engine deck. (Additionally, the M4A6 was used only for training units in the US, so it is rare to see photographs of this version.)
Only prototype and used as Trainings vehicles in the USA.
Produced 75 vehicles, all with 75mm gun
M4A3E2 - "Jumbo" Heavy Assault Tank.
The "Jumbo" were up-armoured M4A3 tanks, with a new turret, heavy armour and 75mm gun.
254 M4A3 were rebuild to M4A3E2
Firefly
Was a British attempt to up-armouring Sherman vehicles with a 17-pounder AT-Gun.
Around 600 vehicles were rebuild. Most M4A4, but follow British information also some M4A1 and M4A2 vehicles.
Officially there were three types of Firefly: the Sherman IC (on the M4 hull), Sherman Hybrid IC (which used the M4 composite hull), and the Sherman VC (which used the M4A4 hull).
Basic Hull Styles
There were three basic hull styles: a cast hull (M4A1), a welded hull (M4, M4A2, M4A3, M4A4), or a composite hull (M4, M4A4 or M4A6). These different hull styles make it easy to identify the different Sherman variants:
British Shermans
The British used a different nomenclature to identify the variants of the Sherman:
| Name/Code |
Equipment |
|---|
| Sherman I | M4 with 75mm gun |
| Sherman IB | M4 with 105mm howitzer |
| Sherman IBY | M4 with 105 mm howitzer with HVVS |
| Sherman IC | M4 with 17-pounder gun |
| Sherman II | M4A1 with 75mm gun |
| Sherman IIA | M4A1 with 76mm gun |
| Sherman IIB | M4A1 with 105mm howitzer |
| Sherman III | M4A2 with 75mm gun |
| Sherman IIIAY | M4A2 with 76mm gun and HVVS |
| Sherman IV | M4A3 with 75mm gun |
| Sherman IVA | M4A3 with 76mm gun |
| Sherman IVB | M4A3 with 105mm howitzer |
| Sherman IVC | M4A3 with 17-pounder gun | |
| Sherman V | M4A4 with 75mm gun |
| Sherman VC | M4A4 with 17-pounder gun |
| Sherman VII | M4A6 with 75mm gun |
| Sherman VIIC | M4A6 with 17-pounder gun |
| Code |
Equipment |
|---|
| A: | with 76mm gun |
| B: | with 105mm howitzer |
| C: | with 17-pounder gun |
| Y: | with HVVS suspension |
Bron: "On The Way", Squadron/Signal Armor 16 and other articles.
M4
M4A1
M4A2
M4A3
Bron: "On The Way", Squadron/Signal Armor 16 and other articles.
M4A1 - Sherman MK-II British service, 75mm gun in M34 mount, M3 bogie, 3 piece transmision cover(early type) - (scratchbuild)
M4A1(76) VVSS - 76mm gun in T23 turret, with early round loader hatch - (reworked Trumpeter 07222)
M4A1 - Canadian Anti Aircraft tank "Skink" - 4x 20mm gun (Possible with Polsten, Hispano-Suisa or Oerlikon guns), built on early M4A1 chassis - (Scratchbuild)
Comments - George Bradford
Everyone has forgotten the Canadian "Skink", but they all remember the
"Kugelblitz", even though it never saw action. At least the Skink saw a
few weeks of blazing action in Europe!
The Skink was built on the Canadian-built Grizzly Cruiser and has different drive sprocket, CDP track (CDP = Canadian Dry Pin)
Later on the Skink "was" fitted with the later suspension and chevron track. There were about 10 turrets fitted to Grizzly chassis, but only
2 or 3 completed Skinks with AA guns installed in the turret. One Skink was sent to Britain for testing in September 1944, it later
was sent to Europe for action trials against ground targets mainly. It arrived near Nijmegen with 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (CAR)
(1st Hussars) around February 6-11, 1945. Then with Fort Gary Horse to the Reichwald.
There were some slight differences in the early Skink turret and the final production version. The turrets were assembled in
Canada, Kitchener by Waterloo Manufacturing Co. It started out with Hispano-Suiza guns in September 1943. Then they considered Oerlikon guns. (none were available)
Then they were changed to Polish designed Polsten guns firing 20mm Oerlikon ammo.
M4 - Mid type - 75mm gun in M34A1 mount, one piece transmission cover, M4 bougies - (reworked Trumpeter 07223)
M4 - with "Composite hull based on the M4" - 75mm gun, with oval loader hatch (Scratchbuild)
M4A3 - 75mm gun, with oval loader hatch, different enginedeck (reworked Trumpeter 07224)
M4A3E8 (HVVS) - 76mm gun in T23 turret, with oval loader hatch, HVVS suspension, T66 Tracks (reworked Trumpeter 07224)
Sherman M4A4 - Lengthened hull, 75mm gun, different enginedeck - (Dragon Diecast 60284)
Sherman Firefly Vc - M4A4 hull, 17pounder gun, different turret layout with square loader hatch, different enginedeck (Dragon Diecast 60251)
Medium Tank M4
M4 - early model, 1942 production with 75mm gun (Airfix)
M4A1 (early) - casted hull with M3 springs - British service - El Alamein (Scratchbuild)
M4A4 - lengthened hull - (lend-lease UK and Russia) (Scratchbuild)
M4A1/M4E1 with 76.2mm gun as "Firefly" (Scratchbuild)
M4 - 75mm gun - Composite Hull (US22 Milicast)
M4 - 75mm gun - Composite Hull (Model built by Albert Chen - USA)
(He has scratchbuilt the model with help from the old Esci and the HAT Sherman)
M4A3E2 - "JUMBO" Assault Tank - widened tracks and extra armor (US3 Milicast)
M4A3 with 105mm Howitzer (Nitto/Fujimi)
M4A1 with 76mm gun with T23 Turret (Scratchbuild)
M4A1E8 with 76mm gun and VVSS (Scratchbuild)
M4A1E8 with 76mm gun and HVVS (Scratchbuild)
Other variants
M4 with British Deep Wading Thrunking (wadingparts from Milicast)
M4A1 "Calliope" - Rocket System (Esci)
M4 Engineer tank with dozer-blade (Scratchbuild)
M4 with AMRCR Mine Clearing system (mine clearing parts from Esci)
M4A1 with "Aunt Jemina" Mine Clearing System (mine clearing parts from Alby)
M4-DD with screens (Duplex Drive Tank) (Scratchbuild)
M30 Gargo Carrier (Nitto/Fujimi)
Kangaroo and Ammunitions carriers
M7 "Kangaroo" APC - based on the M7 "Priest"/M3 chassis (scratchbuild)
US M30 Ammunition Cargo - (Fujimi)
Self Propelled Guns
M7 "Priest" SPG "Self Propelled Gun" - based on the M3 chassis (Matchbox)
M7B1 "Priest" SPG with 105mm gun - based on the M4 chassis (Scratchbuild)
M12 GMC (Gun Motor Carrier) with 155mm gun (Nitto/Fujimi)
M40 GMC (widened M4A3 chassis with HVVS) and 155mm Gun (Long Tom) (Matchbox)
M45 GMC (widened M4A3 chassis with HVVS) and 8-inch howitzer (Scratchbuild)
Tank Destroyers
M10 GMC (Cromwell)
M36B1 - M36 turret with 90 mm gun on M4A3 chassis (Scratchbuild)
M36B2 - M36 turret with 90mm gun on the M10 chassis (Scratchbuild)
M36 "Jackson" Tankdestroyer (Nitto/Fujimi)
Achilles IIC (late version) - 1/72 Extratech - 21th anti-tank Regiment Royal Artillery. Guards Armoured Division tank destroyer battalion
Holland/ Fall '44 - built by Gianluca Trivero
Canadian "RAM" Tank
MK1 - Auxilary Turret and side doors (Milicast)
MK1 - Auxilary Turret (Milicast)
MK2 (Milicast)
Sexton 25pnd Self Propelled Gun (Scratchbuild)
A total of 1899 Rams of both Mark 1 and 2 were built and although they never saw service as gun tanks, they were used A.O.P. and Commandand Tanks in Normany. In addition to both types being converted to "Kangoroos", some were converted to "Badger" (Flamethrower) Tanks and as "Sexton" 25pnd SP's.
Canadian "RAM - Kangaroo"
Based on the Canadian "RAM", the "Kangaroo"represents the first real Armoured Personnel Carrier, although Priests and Sherman had been converted for the APC role earlier in Italy and in the Normandy Campaign. Introduced in Sept.'44, they were issued to the 1ste Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment and the British 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, both regiments being absorbed in December into the 79th Armoured Division. Proving to be very popular, they could carry an Infantry Section of eight men. The 79th Arm.Division used 300 Kangaroos in operations in N.W. Europe from December 1944 until the end of hostilities, including the assault on Le havre and finally to the capture of Hamburg
Ram Kangaroo with side-doors based on the MK1 (Milicast)
Ram Kangoroo without side-doors (Milicast)
Ram Kangaroo based on the MK2 (Milicast)
Ram - Badger Flamethrower (Milicast)
Medium Tanks T20 > T23
As soon as the M4 was in production, work started on its replacement. There followed a number of different series of tanks, starting with the T20. Three differing models of the T20 were built, one with a 76mm gun and HVVS, one with a 75mm gun and HVVS and the third with a 3inch gun and a torsion bar suspension.
A parallel project to the T20 and T22 series was the T23, which had the same vertical volute spring suspension as the Sherman
T20 Pilot Model - (all models are built by Andrew Crutchley)
T20 Pilot Model
T20 Type E3
T23 - Pilot Model
T23 - Production model
Heavy Tank T28
(Scratchbuild by Hans van Oerle)
America did also try out a superheavy tank. This enormous 85-ton monster was the largest and heaviest American designed tank of World War II. Its used double springs based on the Sherman HVVS springs. Only two were built and the project was terminated in 1947.
And there are many, many more variants......
E-mail to Henk Timmerman / HenkofHolland
