United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman

Photos

M4 Medium with infantry riders:	M4 Medium at Fort Knox: Mark Holloway	M4 Medium tank near Bastogne: Mark Holloway	M4 Medium having its engine worked on: US Army Signal Corp (Mark Holloway)
M4 Medium Tank wooden mock-up in August 1941, at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.	M4 Medium Tank on Bougainville: Mark Holloway	M4 Medium Tank:	M4 Medium Tank:
M4 Medium Tank:	M4 Medium Tank:	M4 Medium Tank:	M4 Medium Tank:
M4 medium tank's steering levers U.S. Ordnance Dept.	M4 Medium Tank going through the mud in France.	M4 Medium Tank of the 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. US Army Signal Corp (PhotosNormandie's photostream)
M4 Medium Tank, General Patton chastising the tank commander for having too many sandbags piled on his tank.
Many more M4 Medium Tank photos here
Medium M4 Die cast 1/72 Models
Easy Models
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Design

On August 29, 1940, (the day after the M3 was decided to be put into production) work began on a tank that would mount a 75 mm gun in the turret.⁸

In March 1941 the turret was designed based on the turret on the M3 Medium.^1,5 The Armored Forces Board selected the simplest design out of 5 options in April 1941.¹ A mockup of the T6 was approved in May 1941.¹ Was standardized in September 1941 / October 1941^6,9.⁸

Crew

The driver sat on the left in the front of the hull, and the assistant driver on the right.⁷ In the turret the loader sat on the left of the main gun, the gunner on the right, and the commander at the rear behind the gunner.⁷ Adjustable seats that could move 12 inches up and down, and 5 inches forward and backwards were provided for the driver, assistant driver, and gunner. There were 2 hatches in the top of the hull and a revolving hatch in the turret.⁷ There was a hatch installed in the floor, behind the driver, for emergency escapes.⁷

Each member of the crew was provided a periscope.⁷ They could be rotated 360°, and tilted up and down.⁷ The gunner's, which contained a telescopic sight, was synchronized with the main gun.⁷ Early models had direct vision slits that were protected by thick glass plates and hinged covers for the driver and assistant driver.⁷ After experience with bullet splash these were eliminated and replaced by periscopes.⁷

The commander had a periscope in the turret hatch that could be used when it was closed.⁷ Starting in 1944 it was replaced by a cupola with six episcopes.⁷

There was also a 2-way radio and interphone system.⁷ They were located in a shock mounted shelf in the turret bulge.⁷

Engine

The transmission had 5 forward and 1 reverse speed. It also had a parking brake built in. The controlled differential transmitted the power to the final drive unit, and also contained a brake system for steering and stopping the tank.

In the engine compartment were 2 fixed 10 lb. fire extinguishers. They could be operated from the driver's seat or from the outside. There were portable 4 lb. fire extinguishers in the turret and driver's compartment.

Auxiliary generator provided extra power and could be used in preheating engine in cold weather.

Suspension

There were six 2-wheeled bogies bolted to the hull which supported the vehicle on volute springs. The drive sprocket was located in the front. The idlers were at the rear and could be adjusted to take the slack out of the tracks. There were 3 return rollers supporting the weight of the track. Many of these rollers were above the suspension brackets, but other models had them shifted towards the back with a track skid on top of the brackets.

In 1944 the Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS) was phased into production. It enhanced mobility.

The driver used levers, which operated steering brakes, to steer the M4.⁷

Main Gun

The early vehicles had the Combination Gun Mount, M34, which had a shield that only protected the gun. In October 1942, the Ordnance Committee chose to use the Combination Gun Mount, M34A1. This had a shield that also protected the .30 cal coaxial machine gun and telescopic sight. It also had 2 pieces of armor that were placed beside the gun, where it met with the shield.

The tanks had azimuth and elevation controls installed so that the main gun could be used an artillery weapon. Also FM communication radio systems were installed and could be tied into any local field artillery fire control. It could often run 2,500 miles before major maintenance on the tracks and bogies.

Early models had reputation for "brewing-up" (nicknamed Ronsons after a cigarette lighter) when penetrated by antitank rounds.⁸ Water jackets (signified by W in model name¹) were installed around the ammunition and on howitzer models additional armor was added.⁸ The water jackets used 38 gallons of water, that was mixed with antifreeze, and ammudamp (anti-corrosion).¹

Gun	Muzzle Velocity per Second
75 mm M2 L/318	1,850' / 564 m8
75 mm M3 L/408	2,030' / 619 m8
76.2 mm L/558	3,400' / 1,040 m8

Turret rotated on ball bearing race that was recessed and thus protected from enemy fire. The 75 mm gun was turned 90° from vertical, which allowed for easy right-hand loading.

There was a elevating hand wheel for the gun.⁷ If the gyrostabilizer was activated, then hydraulic power kept the gun steady while on the move.⁷

The gunner had foot operated switches that fired the guns electronically.⁷

Prototype

T6

First prototype (T6) was built and sent to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds on September 1941.¹ It had a cast hull and an entrance hatch on the side of the vehicle which was later removed.¹ There were also 2 additional MGs in the hull.¹

The chassis and power plant was very similar to the M3 Medium.¹¹

After testing at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in September 1941 production was immediately authorized.¹¹ The M4 was to be merged with M3 production lines to reduce the interruption to production.¹¹ The was facilitated as the M3 and the M4 shared bottom hulls, engines, suspension, and tracks.¹¹

Production

Production started at 1,000 per month and increased to 2,000 and was built at 11 plants.⁹ A special plant was built at Grand Blanc, Michigan just to produce M4s.⁹

Production tables are here.

Variants

• T6: Prototype.^5,9
• M4 Medium Tank (Sherman I⁹): Standardized in October 1941⁶ and 1,000 per month, by 1942, were to be delivered.¹ Built by American Locomotive Co., Baldwin Locomotive Works, Detroit Tank Arsenal (Chrysler), Pressed Steel Car Co., and Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co.
  Welded hull.^6,7,9 Three piece bolted nose. Cast turret.⁶ Initial models had narrow M34 gun mount. Later production models had wider M34A1. Late 1943 hull was combination cast/rolled.
• M4 (76 mm) Medium Tank: 76 mm gun replaced 75 mm in the turret. It had better velocity and thus armor penetration. 2,600 ft/sec, range of 16,100 yards, penetrate 4 inches at 1,000 yards. Gun can also be used in indirect fire mode as an azimuth indicator and elevation quadrant was also available. Water protected ammo racks installed.
  The commander had a vision cupola mounted above the turret hatch. It had 6 prismatic vision blocks of 3" laminated bullet-resistant glass.
  The ammunition racks were water protected and there was a traveling lock for the main armament in the front to hold it while traveling in non-combat areas.
  Welded hull. Continental R975-C1 petrol.
• M4 (105mm) Medium Tank:
  

  	Shell Type	Weight	Muzzle velocity
  105 mm M410	HE10	36 lb10	1,550'/sec.10
  .50 cal HB MG10			2,900'/sec.10
  .30 cal M1919A4 MG10			2,800'/sec10

  
  The construction of 2 pilot models based on the M4A4 were authorized by the Ordnance Committee in December 1942. It was tested at the Aberdeen Proving Ground and at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After some modifications it was Standardized in August 1943.
  Were intended to replace the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriages that were in Battalion Headquarters Companies and Medium Tank Battalions. The 105 mm Howitzer, M4, was mounted in a Combination Gun Mount, M52.
  There was a partial turret basket in the cast turret. The gunner was provided a fighting seat, the commander a convoy seat, and the loader a riding seat. These all rotated with the turret. The cupola had 6 prismatic vision blocks of 3" laminated, bullet-resistent glass.
  There was a floor placed over the power tunnel. A pintle was provided for towing an ammunition trailer.
  Detroit Arsenal (2-9/43): 800.
  105 mm howitzer installed in place of 75 mm in turret. A pintle for towing a trailer was installed.
• M4 (105mm) HVSS: With new suspension. Detroit Arsenal (9/44-3/45): 841.
• M4A1 Medium Tank (Sherman II⁹): Cast hull.⁹
• M4A1 76 mm Medium Tank:
• M4A2 Medium Tank (Sherman III⁹): Twin General Motors diesel engines.⁹
• M4A2 76 mm Medium Tank:
• M4A3 Medium Tank (Sherman IV⁹): Ford engine.⁹
• M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank:
• M4A3 105 mm Medium Tank:
• M4A3E2 Assault Tank:
• M4A4 Medium Tank (Sherman V⁹): Chrysler multibank engine.⁹
• M4A5 Medium Tank: Designation for the Canadian Ram.⁹
• M4A6 Medium Tank: Caterpillar diesel engine.⁹
• Tank Recovery Vehicle M32: Based on M4.⁹ The vehicle may be driven and the winch operated at the same time. Chock blocks were used to prevent the vehicle from moving during winching. Telescopic hold off poles were provided so that a towed vehicle wouldn't get too close during recovery. Turret replaced. 81 mm mortar to fire smoke.⁹ 60,000 lb winch and a pivoting A-frame jib 18 feet long. 62,000 LB, 24 mph, length: 19' 1.25".
• M4 BARV (Beach Armored Recovery Vehicle):
• M4 Dozer: M4s fitted with dozer blades. Some had turret removed and were used by Engineer Corps.

  A quote from an e-mail from Owen J. "Red Gavigan

  I was commander of the first tank to land on Utah beach on 6-6-44 with C Co. of the 70th tank Bn. My tank had a dozer hanging on the front and came in damn handy then and for seven more days until we got knocked out going through a hedgerow, not to mention what we did on the beach. My CO, John Ahearn, was commander of the second tank to land. We both are mentioned in several histories. One by Marvin who is the author of "Strike Swiftly" and the other by Stephen Ambrose, author of "D Day."

  
  First use was in Italy in 1943. Used in many locations afterwards.
• M4A1 Dozer: Used the HVSS suspension.⁹
• M4 Mobile Assault Bridge: Double track bridge with a-frame. Small number built.
  Field modification in Italy.
• M4 with Cullin Hedgerow Device: Field modification in Normandy. Prongs from beach defenses added to help get through hedgerow country.
• Mine Exploder T1E1 (Earthworm): Disks made of armor plate. Saw limited use.
• Mine Exploder T1E2: Disc roller being reduced to 2 forward units each with 7 discs. Experimental only.
• Mine Exploder T1E3, Mine Exploder M1: "Aunt Jemima."⁹ Two large rollers pushed in front of an M4.⁹ Used after the Normandy landings.⁹
• Mine Exploder T1E4: Developed in 1944 with 16 discs pushed in front.
• Mine Exploder T1E5: Developed in July 1944 based on T1E3 but with smaller wheels. Experimental only.
• Mine Exploder T1E6: As T1E3 but with serrated edges to discs. Experimental only.
• Mine Exploder T2E1: Similar to T2 used on M3. Developed for US Marine Corps. For use with Tank Recovery Vehicle M32 utilizing the boom. Proved impractical and abandoned in Oct 1944.
• Mine Exploder T2 Flail: American designation for British Crab I equipment.⁹ Small number used by US Army in NW Europe.
• Mine Exploder T3: Based on British Scorpion. Proved unsatisfactory and development stopped in 1943.
• Mine Exploder T3E1: T3 rebuilt with longer arms and sand filled rotor. Proved unsatisfactory and cancelled.
• Mine Exploder T3E2: T3E1 with rotor replaced by steel drum of larger diameter. Terminated at wars end.
• Mine Exploder T4: British Crab II.⁹
• Mine Excavator T4: Plough device developed in 1942. Impractical and was abandoned.
• Mine Excavator T5: Like T4 but plough was v shaped. Modified version of this was designated T5E1.
• Mine Excavator T2E2: Late 1943 was modified T5E1 with arms and hydraulic lift gear from the M1 dozer so plough could be raised or lowered.
• Mine Excavator T6: Design based on v shaped plough. Unsatisfactory due to inability to control depth.
• Mine Excavator T5E3: Angled plough was mounted on front of M1 dozer assembly.
• Mine Exploder T7: Late 1943, consisted of frame carrying small rollers each made of 2 discs. Unsatisfactory and abandoned.
• Mine Exploder T8: Steel plungers carried on a pivoted frame. Beat up and down on the ground as vehicle moved forward. Steering was adversely affect. "Johnnie Walker"
• Mine Exploder T9: Six foot roller. Difficult to maneuver.
• Mine Exploder T9E1: Lighter T9 but unsatisfactory as sometimes failed to explode mines.
• Mine Exploder T10: Remote controlled mine exploder with a tricycle unit placed under tank and controlled by following tank. Unwieldy and cancelled.
• Mine Exploder T11: With 6 mortars to fire forward. Experimental only.
• Mine Exploder T12: 23 mortars. Proved effective but was cancelled.
• Mine Exploder T14: M4 tank with added belly armor and heavy duty tracks. Cancelled at war end.
• Mine Resistant Vehicle T15, T15E1, T15E2: Similar to T14 and cancelled at war end.
• Snake Equipment for M4: Push snake explosive charge in front of vehicle and detonated. Not used.
• E4R2-5R1, E4R3-5R1, (M3-4-3) Flame guns: Mounted in place of hull machine gun.⁹ Was a kit and fitted in field.⁹
• E4R4-4R 5-6RC Flame gun: Fitted to hull machine gun and fuel container carried in the tank.⁹ Had longer range.⁹
• POA Flame thrower: US Navy Mk I flame thrower fitted inside a 105 mm barrel with breech removed. Used in Pacific.
• POA-CWS 75-H1: Used 75 mm barrel.⁹
• POA-CWS 75-H2: Projector attached to right side of 75 mm gun.⁹
• E6-R1 Flame gun: Kit that fit in the periscope aperture in the assistant driver's hatch.
• E7-7 Flame gun: Short projector which replaced main gun.⁹ Fuel carried in hull.⁹
• Ronson Flame gun: Canadian Ronson flame thrower.⁹ Used by USMC.⁹
• M4 Crocodile: Used British Crocodile equipment.⁹ Four⁹ were used by 2nd Armored Division in Europe.
• E1 Anti-personnel Tank Projector: Four projectors put on hull to help ward of suicide troops. Cancelled at war end.
• Rocket Launcher T34 Calliope: 60 4.5" rocket tubes mounted above the turret.⁹ 2 sets if 12 tubes on bottom. First used by 2nd Armored Division in France. Limited combat.
• Rocket Launcher T34E1: Had different barrel arrangement.⁹
• Rocket Launcher T34E2: Longer and held 60 7.2" rockets. Saw limited combat in 1945.
• Rocket Launcher T39: Mount of enclosed box with doors over tubes. 20 7.2" rockets. Experimental only.
• Rocket Launcher T40 (M17) WhizBang:

  M17 U.S. Army

  
  Box like frame with 20 7.2" rockets.⁹ Saw some combat in 1944-45.
• Rocket Launcher T40 short version: Shorter rocket tubes.
• Rocket Launcher T72: Short tubes like T34 but never used.
• Rocket Launcher T73: Similar to T40 but only 10 rockets. Never used.
• Rocket Launcher T76: M4A1 with 7.2" rocket replacing main gun. Never used.
• Rocket Launcher T105: M4A1 with box like case instead of main gun. Never used.
• Multiple Rocket Launcher T99: 2 box like mounts with 22 4.5" rockets mounted on the turret. Never used.
• Multiple Gun Motor Carriage T52: Developed by Firestone with 2 40 mm or one 40 mm and 2 .50 cal MGs in a ball traversing turret. Was too slow and project terminated in October 1944.

Usage

The M4 was first used at the Battle of Alamein in October 1942.⁹

United Kingdom Use

Specifications