United States' M4A3 medium tank, Sherman:

Imperial War Museum

Imperial War Museum

Aberdeen Tank Museum

Standardized in January 1942.^7,11 Built by Ford Motor Co.^7,11

Welded hull.⁷ Used mainly by US Army. Late models had improved cupola, a loaders hatch, and wet stowage for ammunition. Had the GAA-III V-WC motor.

Called the Sherman IV by the British.¹ Supplied to the Russians.

Gun

The original armament of the M4A3 series was the M3 75 mm gun.¹¹ To be able to mount the gun in the turret it was turned on its side.¹¹ Loading was on the right side.¹¹

The M34 gun mount was used early on but as it only protected the main armament soldiers in the field requested it protect the coaxial MG.¹¹ The M34A1 was developed as a result and was standardized in October 1942.¹¹ This shield was full width and had a direct sighting telescope installed.¹¹

Turret

The turret was a cast one piece design with a bulge in the rear to allow for the installation of radio equipment.¹¹ The hatch for the commander could be rotated and there was a mount for a .50 cal HB AA machine gun.¹¹ There was a rotating periscope for the commander in the turret hatch.¹¹ The loader had rotating periscope in the roof of the turret.¹¹ The gunner had a telescopic periscope that was synchronized in azimuth and elevation with the main armament.¹¹ The roof of the turret also contained a 2" smoke mortar.¹¹

There was a pistol port in the side of the turret that could be used for ejecting or reloading shells.¹¹

There was a recessed ball race for the turret to revolve in that helped protect it from bullet splash.¹¹

The turret basket was bolted to the turret casting and rotated with the turret.¹¹

Later in production an armored cupola with six vision blocks replaced the rotating hatch.¹¹ A mount for the .50 cal Browning AA MG was placed next to the cupola.¹¹

Hull

The hull was welded armor plate.¹¹ At the expense of a desirable design it was easy and quick to manufacture.¹¹

There were two hatches in the top of the hull, one for the driver and the other for the co-driver.¹¹ Behind the co-driver's seat was an escape hatch.¹¹

During production a change was made in the hull front.¹¹ The full front was replaced with a 47° flat plate.¹¹ This simplified production and allowed for larger hatches for the front crew.¹¹ This plate also increased protection in the front.¹¹ A gun barrel lock was installed in this plate.¹¹

Later in production a sand shield was installed that covered the top run of the track.¹¹

Crew

The driver was on the left side and the co-driver on the right.¹¹ The co-driver also operated the hull machine gun.¹¹ The could see out vision blocks that were in the hull front of early models with hatch periscopes replacing them to simplify production.¹¹

The main gun loader was on the left and the gunner on the right.¹¹ The commander was behind the gunner.¹¹

Engine

The Ford V-8 engine was liquid cooled and placed in the rear of the hull.¹¹ The twin exhausts went out under the vertical hull backplate.¹¹ The cylinder block and crankcase were integrally cast in aluminum, but the cylinders were sleeved in steel.¹¹ There were two four cylinder magnetos mounted at the rear of the engine on a cross shaft.¹¹ The water pump was driven from the end of the crankshaft.¹¹

The four mounting points for the engine were rubber padded.¹¹ Two of these were on the bulkhead of the engine compartment and the others in the floor.¹¹

There was a door in the rear and flaps with grilles on the top of the hull.¹¹ The radiator was placed behind the engine.¹¹

There were two vertical and two horizontal fuel tanks flanking the engine.¹¹ They could carry 168 gallons and could be drained out the bottom of the hull if needed.¹¹ On each side of the hull top were two caps for fueling the tanks.¹¹

The driver could remotely operated two fire extinguishers in the hull compartment.¹¹ These could also be operated externally.¹¹

There were five forward and one reverse gear and a built in parking brake.¹¹

Steering and stopping was done by the controlled differential which transmitted engine power to the drive unit that was at the front of the tank.¹¹ The drive unit took power to the sprockets through a set of reduction gears.¹¹ The power unit could be completely removed for easier maintenance.¹¹

Wet Stowage

One of the most requested upgrades from the field was an improvement to the ammunition storage.¹¹ A direct hit to the ammunition storage would often lead to fire.¹¹ A system that would have jackets of ethylene glycol (later replaced by water) surround the stowage and when pierced would reduce fire and the chance of explosions.¹¹

This system required an additional 2,500 design changes of the M4.¹¹

M4A3s with the wet stowage were produced starting in February 1944 at Detroit Arsenal (Chrysler) and May 1944 at Grand Blanc (Fisher).¹¹

M4A3E2 Assault Tank, "Jumbo":

Imperial War Museum

Armor added hull 100 mm, turret 150 mm. 84,000 lb, 42 tons^1,7, 42,672 kg¹. Grousers added to track to improve ride. 22 mph. Originally 75 mm gun but some replaced by 76 mm once in Europe. 254¹¹ were produced at Grand Blanc from May to June 1944.¹ Nicknamed "Jumbo."¹ Had the Chrysler 5-line WC motor.

Had additional armor welded to the front. The turret had a total of 6" and the hull 4".^7,11

M4A3E8:

Patton Museum in Ft Knox, Kentucky

Chris Bobo

Patton Museum in Ft Knox, Kentucky

Chris Bobo

Imperial War Museum

Imperial War Museum

Aberdeen Tank Museum

Had HVSS (horizontal volume spring suspension) and was nicknamed the "Easy Eight."^1,11

Each of the bogies had four wheels, one pair to each of the suspension arms.¹¹ The arms were sprung next to each other, parallel to the gound.¹¹ A rubber shock absorber was added to help reduce pitching when traveling over rough ground.¹¹

The top of the tracks was supported by rubber covered, two double and three single, rollers.¹¹ These were attached to the hull sides.¹¹ Maintenance was facilitated by the ability to remove a wheel without removing the boggie.¹¹

M4A3 1/72 Diecast Armor
Dragon Armor		Easy Models
60163: 60164: 60282: 60283:	60297: 60298: 60315: 60316:	36256: 36258: 36262:

The 76 mm gun could fire a 15.4 lb AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,600'/sec.⁹

M4A3 (76mm):

Later in production a M1 76 mm gun was installed.¹¹ Starting in February 1944 the first M4A3s with a new turret to fit the M1 was produced.¹¹ These started leaving the Detroit Arsenal in March 1944.¹¹ Fisher started producing the 76 mm wet stowage tanks in September 1944.¹¹

Gun can also be used in indirect fire mode as an azimuth indicator and elevation quadrant was also available. Water protected ammo racks installed.

M4A3 (105 mm):

HQ Companies had M4A3s that had an 105 mm Howitzer installed.¹¹ Detroit Arsenal built all these models.¹¹ The first one rolling off the production line in May 1944 and ceasing production in June 1945.¹¹

The turret was rotated by hand.¹¹

A pintle for towing a trailer was installed.¹¹

M4A3 (105mm) HVSS:

New suspension. Detroit Arsenal (8/44 - 5/45): 2,539.

Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B3:

Based on M4A3. Later vehicles had HVSS.

Demolition Tank T31:

M4A3 HVSS with 105 mm howitzer and 2 7.2" rockets mounted in turret. Never used.

	M4A3 (Sherman IV)	M4A3E2	M4A3 (76 mm)11 (Sherman IVA)	M4A3E8 (76 mm)	M4A3 (105 mm) (Sherman IVB)
Crew	54,5	54	Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner3,11 52,3,4,11	59	54
Physical Characteristics
Weight	68,500 lb3,4 28.4 tons6, 32.284 tons5	84,000 lb4 42 tons7	71,100 lb4, 71,175 lb11 33.7 tons2	37.1 tons9	68,500 lb4,10
Empty weight			65,127 lb11
Length w/gun	19' 4.5"4, 19' 5.5", 19'9"7, 24' 8"5 5.89 m6, 7.52 m5	20' 7"4	20' 7.5"4, 24' 3"3, 24' 7", 24' 8"11 7.54 m2	19.3'9	19' 4.5"4,10
Length w/o gun	20' 7"5 6.27 m5		20' 4"3, 20' 7"11, 20' 7.5"
Height	9'3,4, 9' 3"7 11' 2.875"5 2.74 m6, 3.43 m5	11' 2 7/8"4	9' 9"3,4, 11' 2 7/8"11 2.97 m2	9.9'9	9' 2 11/16"4
Width	8' 7"3,4, 8' 9"7, 8' 9.5"5 2.62 m6, 2.68 m5	9' 3.5"4	8' 9"11, 8' 9.5"4 3 m2	9.8'9	8' 7"4
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	17 1/8"		0.43 m2	17.1"9
Ground contact length	12' 3"			147"9
Ground pressure	14.1 psi		14.6 psi 0.77 (kg/cm2)2	10.6 psi9	14.1 psi
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	75 mm4 75 mm M33,6	75 mm4	76 mm2,3,4 76 mm M16 76 mm M1A111	76 mm M1A2, L/539	105 mm howitzer4,6
OR			76 mm M1A1C11
OR			76 mm M1A211
Secondary			1: 2" M3 mortar11
MG	3: MG4 2: .30 cal MG3	3: MG4	3: MG2,4		3: MG4
MG - coaxial			1: M19A4 .30 cal MG11
MG - hull			1: M19A4 .30 cal MG11	1: .30 cal M1919A4 MG9
MG - AA	.50 cal MG3		1: M2 .50 Cal HB MG11	1: .50 cal M2 MG9
Side arms
Quantity
Main	973,6		712,3,6,11 APC M62 or M62A111 HE M42A111	719	666
Secondary			2": 12 rounds11
MG	.30: 4,7503		.30: 6,2503,11 6,8502 .50: 60011	.50: 6009 .30: 6,2509
Side arms			.45 cal: 90011 Hand grenades: 4 fragmentation Mk II11, 4: WP smoke11, 4 M16 or M18 smoke colored11
Armor Thickness (mm)	123 1" - 2"4 15 - 1005 Front: 756 Side: 376	4.5"4 - 5.5"4 Hull 4"7 Turret: 6"	123, 623 1.5" - 2"4	Front: 2"@46°9 Side: 1.5"9	1.5" - 2"4
Hull Front, Upper	503		2.5" @ 47°11 50.8-1082
Hull Front, Lower
Hull Sides, Upper			1.5" @ 90°11 38.12
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear			1.5" @ 90°11 38.12
Hull Top			0.75"11 192
Hull Bottom			1"11 12.7-25.42
Turret Front	753		2.5"11 63.5-88.92	3"9 Mantlet: 3.5"9
Turret Sides			2.5"11 63.52	2"9
Turret Rear			63.52
Turret Top			1"11 25.42
Engine (Make / Model)	GAA-III V-WC Ford GAA-III4,5 Ford GAA6,7	Ford GAA-III4	GAA-III V-WC Ford2 Ford GAA-III4,11	Ford GAA9	Ford GAA-III4, water cooled4
Bore / stroke				4 cycles9
Cooling	Water4	Water4	Water2,4,11	Water9
Cylinders	V-85,7, 84	84	82,4, V 811	V-89	84
Capacity
Net HP	4505,6, 5004,5	5004	450@2,600 rpm11 5002,4 @ 2,600 rpm2	500@2,600 rpm9
Power to weight ratio			10.3 psi11		5004
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	5 forward, 1 reverse11		Mechanical synchromesh11 5 forward, 1 reverse2,11	Synchromesh9 5 forward, 1 reverse9
Steering			Clutch and brake11	Controlled differential9
Steering ratio
Starter				Electric9
Electrical system			24 volt11	24-volt9
Ignition				Magneto9
Fuel (Type)			Gasoline2	Gasoline9
Octane
Quantity	148 gallons, 168 gallons11		168 gallons11 636 liters2	168 gallons9
Road consumption
Cross country consumption				0.6 mpg9
Performance
Traverse	360°3		360°3,11	Power9	360°
Max speed	25 mph4, 29 mph5, 30 mph7 43 kph6, 47 kph5	22 mph4	26 mph4,11 41.8 kph2	26 mph9	26 mph4
Cross country
Road radius	100 miles5, 130 miles7 161 km5		100 miles11 161 km2	155 miles9	130 miles
Cross country radius				100 miles9
Turning radius			19 m2
Elevation limits	-10° to +25°3		-10° to +25°3,11
Fording depth	3'3,5 0.91 m5		3'3,11 0.91 m2	36"9
Trench crossing	7' 5"3,5 2.26 m5		7' 5"11, 7' 6"3	7.5'9
Vertical obstacle	2'3,5 0.61 m5		2'3,11	24"9
Climbing ability			60%11	31° (60%) slope9
Suspension (Type)	Vertical volute.3 Horizontal.5		HVSS2,11	Horizontal suspension, 3 bogies wheels of 2 wheels each9
Wheels each side			62 3 bogies with 4 wheels each11	3x29
Return rollers each side			3 double and 2 single11	59
Tracks (Type)				Dry pin, double pin per shoe, steel shoes with rubber backing9
Length
Width	16.5"3		23"3,11 584 mm2	23.9"9
Diameter
Number of links				799
Pitch			6"11	6"9
Tire tread			Rubber2
Track centers/tread	6' 11"3		6' 11"3,11	7.4'9

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
11. Armour In Profile #3 M.4 A3 E8 Sherman, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, ?

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