M4A2 Medium Tank, Sherman:

Diecast 1/72 Armor
Dragon Armor
60331:
Dragon Armor 1/72 Diecast Armor 60331, United States' M2A2
60360:
Dragon Armor 1/72 Diecast Armor, 60360, Soviet M4A2(76)W

Standardized in December 1941. Built by Federal Machine and Welding Co., Fisher Tank Division, General Motors Corp., and Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co.

Welded hull. Some early vehicles had spoked wheels. Used only by USMC and Lend Lease. Had the GM 6-71 6046 motor. The engine was two GM truck engines, each mounted on each side of the engine compartment.7 They each were geared to a single prop shaft.7

Sent to Russia and used by US Marine Corps.1,7 The Russians didn't like the high silhouette, thin armor, and poorly angled armor.1 Called the Sherman II by the British.1

M4A2 (76mm):

Welded hull. GM diesel 6-71. Grand Blanc (6-12/44) 1,594, Pressed Steel (5-6/45): 21.

76 mm gun replaced 75 mm in 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.

Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B2:

Based on M4A2.

  M4A2 (Sherman III) M4A2 (76 mm) (Sherman IIIA)
Crew 54 Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner.3
53,4
Physical Characteristics    
Weight 69,000 lb3,4 72,800 lb4
Length w/gun 19' 5"4 20' 8"4, 24' 3"3, 24' 7"
Length w/o gun   20' 4"3, 20' 8"
Height 9'3,4 9' 9"3,4
Width 8' 7"3,4 8' 9.5"4
Width over tracks    
Ground clearance 17 1/8"  
Ground contact length 12' 3"  
Ground pressure 14.2 psi 14.9 psi
Turret ring diameter    
Armament    
Main 75 mm4
75 mm M33,6
76 mm3,4
76 mm M16
Secondary    
MG 3: MG4
2: .30 cal MG3
.50 cal MG, AA3
3: MG4
Side arms    
Quantity    
Main 973,6 713,6
Secondary    
MG .30: 4,7503 .30: 6,2503
Side arms    
Armor Thickness (mm) 123
1" - 2"4
13 - 1055
123, 623
1.5" - 2"4
Hull Front, Upper 503  
Hull Front, Lower    
Hull Sides, Upper    
Hull Sides, Lower    
Hull Rear    
Hull Top    
Hull Bottom    
Turret Front 753  
Turret Sides    
Turret Rear    
Turret Top    
Engine (Make / Model) GM 6-71 6046
Twin GM 6-714,5
2: General Motors 6-716
2: General Motors 60467
GM 6-71 6046
GM Twin 6-714,
Bore / stroke    
Cooling Water4 Water4
Cylinders 124 124
Capacity    
Net HP 4104
4205
4104
Power to weight ratio    
Compression ratio    
Transmission (Type)    
Steering    
Steering ratio    
Starter    
Electrical system    
Ignition    
Fuel (Type) Diesel4,5,6,7 Diesel4
Octane    
Quantity 175 gallons 148 gallons
Road consumption    
Cross country consumption    
Performance    
Traverse 360°3 360°3
Max speed 24 mph, 29 mph4 29 mph4
Cross country speed    
Road radius 150 miles 100 miles
Cross country radius    
Turning radius    
Elevation limits -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3
Fording depth 3'3, 3' 4" 3'3, 3' 4"
Trench crossing 7' 5"3 7' 6"3
Vertical obstacle 2'3 2'3
Climbing ability    
Suspension (Type) Vertical volute.3  
Wheels each side    
Return rollers each side    
Tracks (Type)    
Length    
Width 16.5"3  
Diameter    
Number of links    
Pitch    
Tire tread    
Track centers/tread 6' 11"3 6' 11"3
Production    

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
  4. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  5. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  6. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  7. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  8. Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
  9. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
  10. Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
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