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United States' M4A3 medium tank13, Sherman:
| M4A3 Medium Tank: U.S. Ordnance Dept. |
M4A3 Medium Tank: |
M4A3 Medium Tank: |
M4A3 Medium Tank: Imperial War Museum |
| M4A3 Medium Tank: Imperial War Museum |
M4A3 Medium Tank: |
M4A3 Medium Tank drawing: Aberdeen Tank Museum |
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| M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank: |
M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank: |
M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank in Europe in early 1945. Has add on armor kit and an additional .30 cal MG above the loader's hatch. |
M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank: |
| M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank: |
M4A3 76 mm Medium Tank: |
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| M4A3E2 Medium Tank: |
M4A3E2 Medium Tank: Imperial War Museum |
M4A3E2 Medium Tank: |
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| M4A3E8 Medium Tank: Aberdeen Tank Museum |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank with the 761st Tank Battalion outside of Nancy, France, on November 8, 1944 |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank: |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank: |
| M4A3E8 Medium Tank: Imperial War Museum |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank: Imperial War Museum |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank at the
Patton Museum in Ft Knox, Kentucky Chris Bobo |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank at the
Patton Museum in Ft Knox, Kentucky Chris Bobo |
| M4A3E8 76 mm HVSS Medium Tank: |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank: Mark Holloway |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank: Mark Holloway |
M4A3E8 Medium Tank: Mark Holloway |
| M4A3 105 mm Medium Tank: |
M4A3 105 mm Medium Tank: |
| M4A3 1/72 Diecast Armor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Armor | Easy Models | ||
| 60163: 60164: 60282: |
60283: 60297: 60298: |
60315: 60316: |
36256: 36258: 36262: |
Welded hull.7 Late models had improved cupola, a loaders hatch, and wet stowage for ammunition. Had the GAA-III V-WC motor.
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
Production
Standardized in January 1942.7,11 Built by Ford Motor Co.7,11
M4A3s with the wet stowage were produced starting in February 1944 at Detroit Arsenal (Chrysler) and May 1944 at Grand Blanc (Fisher).11
Variants
- M4A3E2 Assault Tank, "Jumbo": Armor added hull 100 mm, turret 150 mm. 84,000 lb, 42 tons1,7, 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. Was intended to be used against the Siegried Line.12
Had additional armor welded to the front. The turret had a total of 6" and the hull 4".7,11 - M4A3E8: 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
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.
Usage
Used mainly by US Army.
Called the Sherman IV by the British.1,12
Supplied to the Russians.
| M4A3 medium tank13, Sherman IV12 | M4A3E2 medium tank | M4A3 (76 mm)11, Sherman IVA | M4A3E8 (76 mm) | M4A3 (105 mm), (Sherman IVB) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 54,5,13 | 54 | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner3,11 52,3,4,11 |
59 | 54 |
| Radio | SCR-50813 | ||||
| Radio - command tank | SCR-50613 | ||||
| Physical Characteristics | |||||
| Weight | 68,500 lb3,4,13, 71,175 lb12 32.284 tons5 32,284 kg12 |
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"4,13, 19' 5.5", 19'9"7, 24' 8"5,12 7.518 m12, 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"5,12 6.27 m5, 6.274 m12 |
20' 4"3, 20' 7"11, 20' 7.5" | |||
| Height | 9'3,4,13, 9' 3"7 11' 2.875"5,12 3.426 m12, 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"3,4,13, 8' 9"7, 8' 9.5"5,12 2.68 m5,12 |
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"13 | 0.43 m2 | 17.1"9 | ||
| Ground contact length | 12' 3"13 | 147"9 | |||
| Ground pressure | 14.1 psi13 | 14.6 psi 0.77 (kg/cm2)2 |
10.6 psi9 | 14.1 psi | |
| Turret ring diameter | |||||
| Armament | |||||
| Main | 75 mm4 75 mm M33,13 |
75 mm4 | 76 mm2,3,4 76 mm M1A111 |
76 mm M1A2, L/539 | 105 mm howitzer4 |
| 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: .30 cal Browning M1919A4 MG13 | 1: M19A4 .30 cal MG11 | |||
| MG - hull | 1: .30 cal Browning M1919A4 MG13 | 1: M19A4 .30 cal MG11 | 1: .30 cal M1919A4 MG9 | ||
| MG - antiaircraft | 1: .50 cal MG3 1: .50 cal M2 HB MG13 |
1: M2 .50 Cal HB MG11 | 1: .50 cal M2 MG9 | ||
| Side arms | |||||
| Quantity | |||||
| Main | 973,13 | 712,3,11 APC M62 or M62A111 HE M42A111 |
719 | ||
| Secondary | 2": 12 rounds11 | ||||
| MG | .30: 4,7503,13 .50: 30013 |
.30: 6,2503,11 6,8502 .50: 60011 |
.50: 6009 .30: 6,2509 |
||
| Side arms | .Mortar: 1213 (4: Fragmentation Mk III, 4: M8 Smoke, 2: M2 Offensive Mk III, 2: Thermite)13 .45: 60013 |
.45 cal: 90011 Hand grenades: 4 fragmentation Mk II11, 4: WP smoke11, 4 M16 or M18 smoke colored11 |
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| Armor Thickness (mm) | 1" - 2"4 123, 15 - 1005 |
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 | 2"13 503 |
2.5" @ 47°11 50.8-1082 |
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| Hull Front, Lower | 1.5" - 2"13 | ||||
| Hull Sides, Upper | 1.5" - 2"13 | 1.5" @ 90°11 38.12 |
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| Hull Sides, Lower | 1.5" - 2"13 | ||||
| Hull Rear | 1.5"13 | 1.5" @ 90°11 38.12 |
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| Hull Top | 1"13 | 0.75"11 192 |
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| Hull Bottom | 0.5 - 1"13 | 1"11 12.7-25.42 |
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| Turret Front | 3"13 753 |
2.5"11 63.5-88.92 |
3"9 Mantlet: 3.5"9 |
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| Turret Sides | 2"13 | 2.5"11 63.52 |
2"9 | ||
| Turret Rear | 63.52 | ||||
| Turret Top | 1"13 | 1"11 25.42 |
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| Engine (Make / Model) | GAA-III V-WC13, Ford GAA-III4,5, Ford GAA7 | Ford GAA-III4 | GAA-III V-WC, Ford2, Ford GAA-III4,11 | Ford GAA9 | Ford GAA-III4 |
| Bore / stroke | 4 cycles9 | ||||
| Cooling | Water4 | Water4 | Water2,4,11 | Water9 | Water4 |
| Cylinders | V-85,7, 84 | 84 | 82,4, V 811 | V-89 | 84 |
| Capacity | |||||
| Net HP | 4505,12, 450@2,600 rpm13, 5004,5 | 5004 | 450@2,600 rpm11, 5004, 500@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 |
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| Steering | Clutch and brake11 | Controlled differential9 | |||
| Steering ratio | 1.515:113 | ||||
| Starter | Electric9 | ||||
| Electrical system | 24 volt13 | 24 volt11 | 24-volt9 | ||
| Ignition | Magneto9 | ||||
| Gear ratio - 1st gear | 7.56:113 | ||||
| - 2nd gear | 3.11:113 | ||||
| - 3rd gear | 1.78:113 | ||||
| - 4th gear | 1.11:113 | ||||
| - 5th gear | 0.73:113 | ||||
| - Reverse | 5.65:113 | ||||
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline13 | Gasoline2 | Gasoline9 | ||
| Octane | 8013 | ||||
| Quantity | 148 gallons, 168 gallons11, 174 gallons13 | 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, 26 mph13, 29 mph5,12, 30 mph7 47 kph5,12 |
22 mph4 | 26 mph4,11 41.8 kph2 |
26 mph9 | 26 mph4 |
| Cross country | 20 mph12 32 kph12 |
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| Road radius | 100 miles5,12, 130 miles7 161 km5,12 |
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 | 3'3,5,13 0.91 m5 |
3'3,11 0.91 m2 |
36"9 | ||
| Trench crossing | 7' 5"3,5,13 2.26 m5 |
7' 5"11, 7' 6"3 | 7.5'9 | ||
| Vertical obstacle | 2'3,5,13 0.61 m5 |
2'3,11 | 24"9 | ||
| Climbing ability | 60%13 | 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 | |||
| Wheel size | 20" x 9"13 | ||||
| Wheel size - idler | 28 1/8" x 9"13 | ||||
| Return rollers each side | 3 double and 2 single11 | 59 | |||
| Tracks (Type) | Rubber block13 | Dry pin, double pin per shoe, steel shoes with rubber backing9 | |||
| Length | |||||
| Width | 1' 4.5"3,13 | 23"3,11 584 mm2 |
23.9"9 | ||
| Width - Vertical volute | 1' 4.5"12 0.419 m12 |
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| Width - HVSS | 1' 11"12 0.584 m12 |
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| Number of links | 7913 | 799 | |||
| Pitch | 6"13 | 6"11 | 6"9 | ||
| Tire tread | Rubber2 | ||||
| Track centers/tread | 6' 11"3,12,13 2.108 m12 |
6' 11"3,11 | 7.4'9 |
Sources:
- 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
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- 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
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- -
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
- Armour In Profile #3 M.4 A3 E8 Sherman, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, ?
- Airfix Magazine Guide #26 American Tanks of World War 2, Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain, 1977
- The American Arsenal, 1996
