U.S. Sherman Types

Sherman Types in US Service by "NACHT"

Notice the Black Outlined RAINBOW Colored Stripes and boxes of color now muted by an overcoat of OD and dust! These are NOT streaks! They are like a "DAZZLE" for ships but for armor enthusiasts I named them RAINBOW COLORED SHERMANS... NACHT

AANA Research Fellow is working up drawings of the Sherman...

Sherman Lineage

Early production Shermans...note the bow gunner flexible mount and two fixed machine guns in the nose and also the factory applied Tri-Color marking at the Lima Locomotive Works in early 1942... this one appears as Red/White/Blue... and this is how they were shipped during the early production months.

The Lima Locomotive Works is applying markings... and also note that the third Sherman in the row nearest does not have the marking frisket mask applied. Neither do the other two rows of Shermans to their left. The front five Shermans in the nearest row have the completed marking and the rest behind are in process. This is thought to be a production line marking for those AFV's dedicated to the British under Lend Lease controls and an auditing feature for production that built spirit for the line assembly workers to help them to feel a part of the war effort. This is just a few months after Pearl Harbor.

To trace the lineage and development that evolved into the Sherman, we must go back to 1938, with the Medium Tank T5 built at the Rock Island Arsenal. The T5 (Phase I) was designed to employ as many of the same parts of the then standard US Army M3 Light Tank as possible. The T5 had vertical volute suspension and was powered by a Continental radial air-cooled engine of 250 BHP, the superstructure of this vehicle consisting of a barbette and turret. Armament was as follows: 37 mm gun in turret, 4 x .30 caliber machine guns, mounted singly in small sponsons on each corner of the barbette, and two fixed .30 caliber machine guns in the hull front. From the Medium Tank T5 (Phase III), which was similar to the T5 (Phase I) but had wider tracks and a more powerful engine (Wright radial R975) and weighed 21 tons as against the 15 tons of the T5 (Phase I), was developed the Medium Tank M2 of 1939. This vehicle was a modified version of the T5 series, still employing parts of the M3 Light Tank. It was armed with a 37 mm gun in the turret, and with no less than eight machine guns mounted in the barbette and hull. The next model to follow was the Medium Tank M2Al, which was an M2 with a redesigned turret, retaining the same layout and armament as the M2. Although the M2A1 was standardized in 1940, it was already technically obsolete as it was already known that the Germans were mounting guns of 7.5 cm caliber in their tanks (i.e. Panzerkampfwagen IV).
    At a meeting in August, 1940, between the Chief of the newly formed Armoured Forces and representatives of the Ordnance Department, the specification of a new medium tank was planned. It was to be a tank with heavier armour mounting a 75 mm gun, and it was proposed that this should be turret mounted. However, as insufficient development work had been done on the problem of mounting a gun of this weight in a turret, it was decided to use as a prototype the T5E2 medium tank, since experiments had already been carried out on this vehicle (which was' the T5 Phase III) in 1938 when a 75 mm pack howitzer had been mounted in the modified right sponson. It was, therefore, agreed that the projected new medium tanks would mount the 75 mm gun in a sponson on the right side and that the T5E2 would serve as a basis for this new series of medium tanks. The resulting· vehicle was the Medium Tank M3, which weighed over 31 tons and was armed with a 75 mm M3 gun in the sponson, one 37 mm gun M6 and coaxial .30 machine gun in the turret, an AA .30 machine on the turret cupola, and another machine gun in the hull front. Track suspension was still of the vertical volute suspension (VVS) type. The pilot model of the M3 was ready by January, 1941, and production vehicles began to come into service by the middle of 1941. These were the first American medium tanks to be produced in any quantity under the defence program prior to the entry of the USA into the war. They were subsequently supplied to the British and Russian forces as lease-lend material. In 1940 the British Government contracted directly with the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Lima Locomotive Works, Pullman Standard Car Company, and the Pressed Steel Car Company for the manufacture of the M3. In the same year the Canadian Government contracted with the Montreal Locomotive Works Division of the American Locomotive Corporation for the production of 1,157 medium tanks based on the design of the M3.
    The M3 was the first of the US tanks to employ gyrostabilizers and power-traversed turrets with integral fighting compartments. Battle experience in Russia and Libya suggested improvements, some of which were introduced as production continued. The M3 and M3A] first saw action with British forces at Gazala in Libya on 27th May, 1942 but while mechanically reliable the limited traverse of the 75 mm gun in the sponson proved a grave disadvantage. In April, 1944, the M3 was finally declared obsolete by the US Army.

There were six basic production types of the M3 Medium:

• M3: This was the original vehicle of the series, it had a riveted hull and was powered by a Continental (Wright) R-975-EC2 or R-975 petrol engine

• M3A1: This was similar to the~M3 but had a cast hull

• M3A2: Again similar to M3 but with welded hull

• M3A3: With welded hull but powered with twin General Motors 6-71 diesel engines

• M3A4: Riveted hull and Chrysler Multibank engine

• M3A5: Riveted hull and twin General Motors 6-71 diesel engines.

The M3 crew consisted of six men; the driver and radio operator occupied seats forward in the hull. The 75 mm gunner sat on the left side of the gun mount. The 37 mm gunner and gun loader with the commander were seated in the turret. Forty-six rounds were carried for the 75mm gun, and for the 37mm gun there were 178 rounds. There were also 10,400 machine gun rounds. The US version of the M3 was known as the General Lee, and the version modified for Britain as the General Grant or simply Grant. Both types were actually used by the British and photographs are included on our Commonwealth AFV Types web page..

    In the meantime, design work had actually begun in 1940 on a project with the mounting of a 75 mm gun in a turret and developing a vehicle utilizing as many Medium Tank M3 parts as possible. This completed vehicle materialized into the Medium Tank T6, of which the prototype appeared on September 16, 1941. The T6 had both a cast hull and turret that mounted a short 75 mm M2 gun in the cast turret. The 75mm gun had two muzzle weights on the end of the gun muzzle, and these were intended to simulate the weight of the longer 75mm M3 in the production models. There were two fixed and one flexible machine gun in the bow. The vertical volute spring suspension (VVS or VVSS) had the track return rollers mounted at the top centre of the bogies, and some of the early production models of the M4 had these features, one of them being the M4 Michael, which was on show in 1942 at the Horse Guards Parade. The T6 was standardized in October 1941, and became the M4. By early 1942 it was in full production. It was first used in combat by the British 8th Army at El Alamein in October, 1942, and soon after by the US forces following the Torch landings in Morocco & Algeria beginning on November 8,  1942. It was to become the main combat tank of both the US and Allied armoured forces in the years ahead, with total production exceeding 40,000 units.

T6 Trials Vehicle: note the vertical form Red/White/Blue Tri-Color Flash on the turret, barely visible behind the hull side access door with the Blue stripe having a gas/oil stain or run through its middle (it has now been dirted over), another Tri-Color in Red/White/Blue was just in front of the access door extending beyond the angle ledge of the sand casting and also on the entire three piece transmission cover (center section paint stripes are most noticeable)!!! You must look quite closely to see that small form Blue/White/Red (on the Co-Driver's/Bow Gunner) and Red/White/Blue (for the Driver's) Tri-Colors were painted at the base of each of the bow towing loops...

    Called the General Sherman by the British, it served eventually on all fronts and was delivered also to Russia, the Russian production models being designated M4c. The M4 introduced a large number of improvements over the M3 series, which the Sherman initially supplemented and then later replaced. The 75mm M3 gun was mounted in a power-operated turret providing 360 degree traverse and greater elevation and depression than was possible in the M3. The silhouette was lowered by the elimination of the turret cupola (unlike the M3), thus making the M4 a slightly less conspicuous target. The 37 mm gun was also, of course, eliminated and the crew was decreased to five, including an assistant driver. Ammunition rounds carried for the 75 mm gun were 97 and consisted of HE M48, AP M72, and AP M72.

Sherman M4 "Composite" Chassis

The Basic Sherman M4 Variants

The Sherman M4 standard series medium tank was produced simultaneously by different manufacturers, the various models differing from each other principally by their engine configurations or types with necessary engine deck configurations,  the chassis forms, suspension elements /  or types and main gun weapon's systems employed in the turret . A further difference was that the M4A1 had a cast hull, whereas the other types had welded (and there were also composite form combination hulls). All had cast turrets. A number of changes were made during the production, with the result that later types differed somewhat from the earlier models. Among these changes is included the lower front nose plate, which on the earlier models consisted of three pieces bolted together. Later production models had a one-piece casting. Introduction of sand-shields over the suspension, and the fitting of the horizontal volute suspension (HVS) distinguished later models of the M4 series. Though there were many different versions and experimental types of the M4, the following were the main or basic Sherman production variant types:

• M4: Standardized in October 1941. Welded, hull, cast turret, 75 mm gun in the M34 gun mount. Vision slots in the front hull plate. Three-piece bolted differential housing. Some of these earlier models had the track return rollers mounted at the top centre of the bogies. Engine was the Continental R975 9 cylinder air cooled radial aircraft engine. Late production models of the M4 had the 75mm gun in the M34A1 gun mount. The final version of the M4 had a combination rolled and sand cast front hull with a cast one-piece sharp-nosed differential housing. Sand-shields were or could also be fitted.

• M4A1: Standardized in December 1941. Was similar to the M4 but had a sand cast hull which was curved to present less flat surfaces to a direct hit from any front angle shot attack. It had the three-piece bolted differential housing and vision slots in the
  front armour. The 75· mm gun was in the M34 gun mount. Very early models had the track return rollers at the top center of the bogie assembly, and the ports in the front hull for the twin fixed bow machine guns. It was also being powered by the Continental R975 air-cooled aircraft engine. Later production models used the M34A1 gun mount, additional periscopes replacing vision slots for the driver. The track return rollers were at the rear of the bogie mount. It had a cast one-piece round-nosed differential housing and sandshields. Some of these late types had appliqué armour added on the turret or on the hull sides to protect the ammunition inside the hull. Some of them also had gun travelling locks.

• M4A2: Standardized in December 1941, it had a welded hull and a cast turret and was similar to the M4, except that it was powered by twin General Motors 6-71 diesel engines. The early production model had the 75mm gun M3 in an M34 gun mount, and vision slots in the front armour plate. It had the three-piece bolted differential housing and retained the twin fixed-bow machine guns. The track return roller was at the top centre of the bogie. On later models the return rollers were to the rear of the bogie mount in various support angle forms. Some early models also had the cast one-piece differential housing. This type of housing being used exclusively on the late production M4A2. The 75mm gun was in an M34A1 gun mount and appliqué armour was applied to the turret and hull. There were hatch guard plates welded in front of the driver's position. A gun travelling lock was mounted on the front and the vehicle was fitted with sandshields when newly delivered. The very late model of the M4A2 had 47 degree front armour plate and larger access doors for the driver / bow gunner. The differential housing was also the later cast one-piece sharp-nosed type.

• M4A3: Standardized in January 1942,had a welded hull and a cast turret and again was similar to the M4, except in that it was powered by a 500 hp Ford V-8 designed tank engine. This was an 8 cylinder liquid-cooled V-type gasoline powered engine designed for specifically tanks. The early production model was equipped with the M34 gun mount, vision slots in the front armour and a cast one-piece round-nosed ·differential housing. The vertical volute spring suspension (VVS) had the later model bogie type assembly with the return roller at the rear in various angle and support configurations. On later production models the direct vision slots were replaced by periscopes, for the driver / bow gunner, and this model initially would have had sandshields fitted. It still retained the M34 gun mount. The very late production models of the M4A3 had the 75mm gun in a M34A1 gun mount, a vision cupola for the tank commander and introduced a small oval hatch over the loader's position. It was equipped with 47 degree front armor plate on the hull with driver's doors, a cast one-piece sharp-nosed differential housing with vertical volute spring suspension (VVS) and sandshields. A gun travelling lock was also fitted on the front hull plate.

• M4A4: This vehicle was standardized in February 1942 and was generally similar to the M4 but was powered by the Chrysler 5-line WC tank engine. To obtain sufficient clearance for this engine, the hull of the M4A4 was longer than that of the earlier models in the M4 series and thus being the first significant alteration of the basic design. A longer track with 83 shoes was required as compared to 79 shoes for other models. Early models mounted the 75 mm gun M3 in an M34 gun mount. They had vision slots in the front armour, and a three piece bolted differential housing. The late 1943 production model had the M34 gun mount replaced with an M34A1 mount. The earlier vision slots were eliminated and periscopes being installed for the drivers. The three-piece bolted differential housing was still retained.

• M4A5: The nomenclature was given this designation by the US for record keeping purposes but this vehicle was produced in Canada and was known as the Ram II. It was generally similar to the Medium Tank M4 but had variations in its design that were requested by the Canadian Government. The main armament was a 6 pounder gun (57 mm) and co-axial .30 caliber machine gun. A small cupola was fitted on the left of the front of the hull containing a .30 caliber machine gun. A smoke projector was mounted on the right side of the turret front plate. Powered by a Wright Cyclone R975 engine, the pilot model was built by the American Locomotive Co. The Canadian War Department vehicle numbers of the Cruiser Tank Ram II were CT-39831 to CT-40937 (1107 vehicles) and CT-159402 to CT-160193 (792 vehicles). Total number of Ram II's built was 1,899.
      The following changes in design took place during production: Side doors in hull were eliminated from vehicle CT-40131, pistol ports replaced doors and these, too, were also eliminated at vehicle CT-40546. The small cupola was dispensed with from vehicle CT-159502 to improve the contour of the hull and make more room. The suspension was also improved in later vehicles. Peak year for Ram production was 1942. Rams were used mainly for training, and such vehicles as those which saw service in NW Europe~ 1944-45, were used as Kangaroo troop carriers with the· turrets removed.
      Prior to the main production run of the Ram Mk II, about 50 vehicles had been completed with a 2 pounder gun as the main armament. These were known as the Ram Mk I and most of these were shipped to England for training purposes.

• M4A6: Like the M4A4, had a lengthened hull to permit the installation of the Ordnance RD-1820 air-cooled diesel engine; tracks of 83 shoes were used. This vehicle had the combination rolled and cast upper hull with a cast one piece sharp nosed differential' housing. The 75 mm gun was mounted in an M34A1 gun mount, the suspension was the vertical volute spring suspension (VVS) and sandshields were fitted. Some of the M4A6's had appliqué armour. Only a total of some 75 of these vehicles were built from October 1943 to February 1944. They were not used by the U.S. Army, but some were shipped to Britain (q.v.).

• M4A3E2 Assault Tank: In early 1944, with the scheduled second front or invasion of Europe fast approaching, it was apparent that there existed an immediate need for an assault tank in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) for the close support of infantry. As the heavy tank T26E1 (Pershing) had not yet been accepted and, in any case, would not be ready in time to meet this demand, changes were made with the standard M4A3 to produce a compromise design able to withstand the heavy punishment that an assault tank could expect. This was done by welding additional armor to the frontal surfaces to increase the thickness to 4 inches, and a new turret was designed armed with the 75 mm M3. The new turret had 6 inches of frontal armour, and an additional thickness of rolled plate was added to the hull top. The total weight of this modified vehicle was increased to 42 tons, with a corresponding fall-off in performance. The procurement of 254 M4A3E2 assault tanks was authorized in March 1944, and these were produced at the Grand Blanc Tank Arsenal in May to June 1944.

Necessary Improvements

Combat experience with the Sherman showed many inherent faults in the basic production design, not the least of which was the tendency of early models to 'brew up'  or burn with conspicuous ease when hit by a well-placed shell or mine. To some extent this was overcome by the addition of appliqué armour and the fitting of less combustible diesel powered engines in some models. In addition, Sherman crews used various methods of adding their own extra protection in the shape of spare track shoes, wood planking or beaming, external stores and sandbags, were carried over the more vulnerable parts of the hull. Some crews welded metal frames to the hull sides to carry sandbags but this was frowned upon because of both the additional weight with the derived loss of vehicle performance but due also to the damage the welding caused to the face hardened steel!

More to type and add...building page... NACHT

Sherman Details

Many more Technical Manual drawings and photographs of the engine packs, and details for the variants are included in each of the various Sherman production types we will explore. M4 Welded hull & Composite 75mm, M4A1 75mm, M4A2 75mm, M4A3 75mm, M4A4 75mm, M4 & M4A3 105mm Variants, Sherman 76mm, and Firefly Variants

Sherman General Types of Manufacturing/Production Summary

Sherman Technical Specifications