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The term "M4" can refer specifically to the initial sub-type with its Continental radial engine, or generically, to the entire family of seven Sherman sub-types, depending on context. Many details of production, shape, strength, and performance improved while in production, without a change to the tank's basic model number.
With the approach of war, increasing orders for M4 Sherman tanks were causing supply issues with the 9-cylinder radial Wright R-975 Whirlwind engine used. The U.S. Army decided it needed to establish additional engine suppliers, choosing a version of the Ford GAA cut down from twelve cylinders to eight for various vehicle applications.
The combined assembly consisted of five of these straight-six engines mounted in a pseudo-radial fashion upon a central cast-iron crankcase. [3] The arrangement employed a common radiator, water pump, oil pan & dual oil pumps, [3] with each of the five component crankshafts fitted with a geared flywheel that meshed with a central sun gear driving a main shaft running through the central crankcase.
M4 Sherman Crocodile – M4 tank modified with the flamethrower and fuel trailer from a Churchill Crocodile. Four built and issued to 739th Tank Battalion, which was attached to the 29th Division for Operation Grenade in February 1945, where they cleared the Old Citadel in the town of Jülich .
The M4 high-speed tractor used M4 Sherman tracks, roadwheels, and drive sprocket. However, the suspension was of the HVSS type, first introduced on a light tank T6 project in 1938. One variant was designed to tow the 90 mm anti-aircraft gun , and another was for the 155 mm gun or 8-inch howitzer . [ 1 ]
The Sherman M-50 and the Sherman M-51, both often referred to abroad as the Super Sherman, were modified versions of the American M4 Sherman tank that served with the Israel Defense Forces from the mid-1950s to early 1980s. The M-51 was also referred to as the Isherman (i.e. Israeli Sherman). However, the nicknames "Super Sherman" and "Isherman ...
Initially Sherman ICs were provided, but these were later replaced by Sherman VCs. An additional 16 Sherman VCs were acquired in March 1945 and a further 16 in April 1945. The brigade also received a total of 18 Sherman IBs in early 1945 armed with a 105 mm howitzer. [30] The 28th Assault Squadron utilised engineering variants of the M4 Sherman ...
The quest for a better engine eventually settled on the Ford GAA engine, [61] [62] but there was a persistent shortage of tank engines. [63] Some 49,234 of the reliable, versatile, low-cost M4 Sherman and its variants were produced. [64] After the GHQ Maneuvers, the Army expected to have a period of "remedial training" to fix problems.