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The M4 Sherman Tank Epic Information Thread.. (work in progress)


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I didn't know that PACCAR made Sherman tanks but I guess it totally makes sense. TIL

 

 

Yeah, they were called Pacific Car and Foundry back then, and they made just one run of Shermans, 926 M4A1 small hatch Shermans.  The one in the pic is pretty early small hatch, DV, sherman with the small gun shield.  These tanks probably had the early VVSS that was found on non A4 Lees.  They probably ended the 926 M4A1 run with non DV, lated production full gun shield, final suspension M4A1s. 

 

They went on to make M26 Dragon Wagon trucks the rest of the war. 

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So, while searching around on the internets for pics of Sherman's being recovered, I was looking for sherman tanks stuck in the mud etc, I found more sunk by Uboats. They are M4A2 76w tanks, probably produced right before the HVSS suspension was introduced. 4

 

Link to story. 

article-0-1FF75A4400000578-318_964x672.j

 

article-0-1FF7598E00000578-548_964x688.j

article-0-1FF759D000000578-260_964x724.j

article-0-1FF75A3700000578-259_964x655.j

article-0-1FF75A2500000578-575_964x698.j

Ignore the comment section, as it is spattered with derp.

 

Neat find otherwise, glad they're working to recover them.

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Just for Don. 

 

An expanded PACCAR history to be added. 

 

Pacific Car & Foundry (PCF)

   PCF was founded in 1905 in Bellevue, Washington.  After they bought out there only real competitor in the early 20s, they were the only heavy machinery company and foundry in the Pacific Northwest. They were the go to foundry for steel used in the building of many Seattle landmarks. In 1924 the founder, William Pigott sold a controlling interest in the company to American Car and Foundry Company. In most stories about a company, it would end right there, but in an twist of fate, the Son of William Pigott, Paul Pigott, bought back a controlling share of the company in 1934.

   At first the company seemed to do ok during the great depression, but it was really on the ropes until just before WWII, when the increase in military spending helped them out. Their steel and aluminum was used in the B17, numerous Naval vessels, and tanks.  

   The only west coast tank maker, PCF produced 926 M4A1s from May of 1942, to November of 1943. The foundry had the facilities to produce all the big casting, the M4A1 Sherman used, in house. As soon as production stopped they started production on the M26 tractor, the truck portion of the M26 tank transporter, also known as the Dragon Wagon. They never got back into tank production again, but they did produce one very special tank destroyer. The almost mythical T28 super heavy tank and the army managed to lose one.

T28_Super_Heavy_Tank.jpg(T28 before it was removed from public display)

   The T28, also known as the T95 105mm gun motor carriage, two of these massive vehicles were made, and PCF made both. They came in at 100 just under 100 tons, and were designed to get a very powerful 105mm gun close enough to knock out heavy fortifications, like the type along the Siegfried line. It was also considered for use in the Invasion of Japan had that been necessary, and man, think of the weird porn the Japanese would come up with if we had invaded with a bunch of these bad boys, instead of nuking them. It had a set of double wide HVSS suspension on each side, with four bogie groups, and armor up to a foot thick. It had a four man crew and used the same 500 horsepower Ford GAA V8 to move it. Yes, 100 tons, 500HP, a real hotrod that thing was. Development ceased after the war, and any kind of testing on the two prototypes stopped by 47. One prototype burned out, and was scrapped; the other just disappeared for several decades, and was found in a remote spot on Fort Belvoir in Virginia. It is now stored in an army parking lot, not open to the public, rusting away.

   Pacific Car & Foundry still exist today as PACCAR Inc., one of the largest truck makers in the world. They own both Kenworth and Peterbuilt. They also produced much of the steel structure on the Twin towers of the World Trade Center. They built the PACCAR tower in Bellevue in in the late 60s and it’s still their HQ today. They are worth 18,8 billion as of 2013

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Ignore the comment section, as it is spattered with derp.

 

Neat find otherwise, glad they're working to recover them.

 

Yeah, and it looks like its in good shape, I wonder if it was sunk in something that helped preserve it. 

 

And yeah, comment sections, the last true stronghold of the ignorant wehraboo and strait out nazis. 

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A final update for the weekend.  The Sherman doc is up to 34,940 words. 

 

The US Firefly: Yeah I said US Firefly, they made some but none saw combat, and they were unique, not like the Brit ones.

(Only known pic)

    fireflyus.jpgo

   Before the Normandy landings, the British had offered the US up 200 guns a month, if they were interesting in the 17 pounder gun. Their rearmament program was well underway, and would have enough Firefly tanks ready to go by D-Day. The US was not interested for a variety of reasons. The 76mm M1A1 and M3 90mm gun programs were well underway. Vehicles that used the guns were in the pipeline, even if there wasn’t much demand from the field yet. They did not want to complicate the supply situation with another tank ammo type.

   Another reason was the 17 pounder did not really impress the US officers who witnessed test of it. It had both a large muzzle flash, and breach flashback, that hinted to them of a poor design. The efforts to convince the Americans of the errors of their ways went dormant along with the program. It wasn’t until the Ardennes offensive, when the US faced some heavier German armor, and in larger numbers than thought to be possible, that the program came back to life.

   Conversions of 75mm armed US Sherman took place starting in March of 45. The US conversions were different in a few ways. The armored box on the rear of the turret was a little bigger to fit US radios, and the M2 machine gun brackets were welded to the end of the radio box. The tanks chosen for the conversions were all M4s, and M4A3. It’s possible some large hatch final production Shermans with all the improvements were a part of the 160 to 200 that were converted before the program was suspended. 

   No one has come up with what happened to the tanks, and it seems like none survived. None were ever issued to units,  it’s one of those little mysteries lost to the archives. 

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Even in decay, it's still a damn good looking machine.

 

 

Fished out of Manila bay?

 

M4A1, mid production small hatch tank. It has the first style skid on the VVSS units. 

 

I would love to know how it got there, it's early enough it wouldn't have been dumped at the end of the war, it doesn't have any of the add on stuff they did in the update that added armor to the outsides of the ammo racks in the sponsons, it doesn't seem to fit with the timeline. 

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So this came. No more being anoyed at a PDF that was terrible.  I am a little disappointed in the print quality on a 70$ book. But I can read all the captions, and the little tags in the images. 

 

20151026_170409_zpstuoiguam.jpg

 

Here it is with Armored Thunderbolt. 

 

20151026_170308_zpssxyvfpni.jpg

 

It's so nice to have a paper copy of a book like this, it's so much more satisfying to actually have the book in my grubby hands, then pagedowning through a crappy PDF. 

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So I found something cool. I was searching around for stories about Sherman tanks used to demo buildings in Oakland, CA. I had heard stories as a kid that a company based out of said city used them to knock down old houses. 

 

An internet search turned up this. 

 

That link led to this. 

 

And this pic. In one of those links they talk about the tank being littlefields Jumbo, but the tank in the pic is an A2 or A3 76 tank. 

 

kalay_fig2_zpsfp3fy7xv.png

 

 

Here's a link to the Sherman in the pic being restored. 

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So I found something cool. I was searching around for stories about Sherman tanks used to demo buildings in Oakland, CA. I had heard stories as a kid that a company based out of said city used them to knock down old houses. 

 

An internet search turned up this. 

 

That link led to this. 

 

And this pic. In one of those links they talk about the tank being littlefields Jumbo, but the tank in the pic is an A2 or A3 76 tank. 

 

kalay_fig2_zpsfp3fy7xv.png

 

 

Here's a link to the Sherman in the pic being restored. 

 

That is some fantastic resto documentation. 

Most people don't really understand (Or appreciate) how difficult and time consuming it is to take pictures throughout a restoration.

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That is some fantastic resto documentation. 

Most people don't really understand (Or appreciate) how difficult and time consuming it is to take pictures throughout a restoration.

 

 

Yeah, I know it. We didn't take nearly enough pics of the 70 ss 396 chevelle were working on. 

 

That restoration page is amazing, I spent the rest of the evening going through the pic, and ended up staying up an hour late still going through them.  I learned of a few things about the Sherman too. 

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I finally got the updated version up on Tank And AFV News.com. Sorry for the delay on that Jeeps. I need to do some work resizing the pictures though.

http://tankandafvnews.com/the-epic-m4-sherman-tank-information-thread/

Walt, thanks, that's really awesome. I didn't want to bug you with what's going on with your dad.

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Yo check out my sweet "Sherman"

 

e8ec77d2b6f4.jpg

"That" or at least something closely resembling/inspired by it, was made as a toy as well.  Seen it in tintype and a kind of tintype composite with added plastic bits and a clear barrel with a sparker.

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this looked so much better in word....  :angry:

 

Medium Tank M4A4 (early Production)

 

 

GENERAL DATA

Crew:                                                                                5 men                                                                                                                   

Length:  Gun forward w/o Sandshields                  238.5 inches          

Length:  Gun to Rear w/o Sandshields                   238.5 inches

Length:  w/o Gun, w/o Sandshields                       238.5 inches

Gun Overhang: Gun forward                                         0 inches

Width:   w/o Sandshields                                           103 inches                                                    

Height:  Over Turret hatch                                        108 inches                                                                                                                        

Tread:                                                                          83 inches

Ground Clearance:                                                      16 inches                                            

Fire Height:                                                                 88 inches                                                                    

Turret Ring Diameter: (inside)                                   69 inches                                                                            

Weight Combat Loaded:                                 69,700 pounds *                                                                    

Weight Unstowed:                                           65,400 pounds*                                                    

Power to Weight  Ratio:              Net                      10.6 hp/ton                                                        

                                                  Gross                     12.2 hp/ton                                                            

Ground Pressure:  Zero penetration                             13.2 psi                                                                      

*all weights based on T48 or T51 tracks

ARMOR

Type: Turret, cast homogeneous steel; Hull, rolled and cast homogeneous steel; Welded assembly

Hull Thickness:             Actual                        Angled w/Vertical

Front, Upper              2.0 inches                     56 degrees

          Lower              2.0 inches              0 to 45 degrees

Sides                          1.5 inches                       0 degrees  

Rear                           1.5 inches              0 to 20 degrees

Top                          0.75 inches            83 to 90 degrees

Floor, Front               1.0 inches                       0 degrees

            Rear                0.5 inches                    90 degrees

Turret Thickness:

Gun Shield                 3.0 inches                      0 degrees

Rotor Shield               2.0 inches                      0 degrees

Front                           3.0 inches                    30 degrees

Sides                           2.0 inches                      5 degrees

Top                             1.0 inches                    90 degrees

Rear                            2.0 inches                      0 degrees

ARMAMENT

Primary: 75

mm Gun M3 in Mount M34 in Turret*

Traverse: Hydraulic and Manu                    360 degrees

Traverse Rate: (max)                 15 seconds/360 degrees

Elevation: Manual                              -25 to -12 degrees

Firing Rate: (max)                               20 rounds/minute

Loading System:                                                 Manual

Stabilizer System:                                    Elevation only

(1) .50 caliber MG HB M2 flexible AA mount on turret

(1) .30 caliber MG M1919A4 coaxial w/75mm gun in turret

(1) .30 caliber MG M1919A4 in bow mount

Provision for (1) .45 caliber SMG M1928A1

*Mount M34A1 in later production tanks

AMMUNITION

97 rounds of 75mm                            12 hand grenades

300 rounds .50 caliber

600 rounds .45 caliber

4750 rounds .30 caliber

FIRE CONTROL AND VISION EQUIPMENT

Primary Weapon:            Direct                         Indirect

                               Periscope M4 with      Azimuth Indicator M19

                               Telescope M38             Gunner’s Quadrant M1

                                                                    Elevation Quadrant M9

Vision Devices:               Direct                         Indirect

 Driver                          Hatch and                       Periscope M6 (1)*

                                     Vision slot

Asst. Driver                  Hatch and                       Periscope M6 (1)*

                                     Vision slot

Commander                      Hatch                         Periscope M6 (1)

Gunner                              None                          Periscope M4 (1)

Loader                          Pistol Port                       Periscope M6 (1)

Total Periscopes: M4v(1), M6 (4)

Total Pistol Ports: Hull (0), Turret (1)

*(2) in later tanks replacing vision slots

ENGINE

Make and Model: Chrysler A57

Type: 30 cylinder, 4 cycle, multibank

Cooling System: Liquid                          Ignition:  Battery

Displacement:                                               1253 cubic inches                                                                               

Bore and Stroke:                                            4.37 X 4.5 inches                                                                

Compression Ratio:                                                           6.2:1

Net Horsepower (max)                             370 hp at 2400 rpm#

Gross Horsepower (max):                         425 hp at 2850 rpm*

Net Torque (max):                               1020 ft-lb at rpm 1200#

Gross Torque (max):                            1060 ft-lb at 1400 rpm*

Weight:                                                                  5400 lb. dry

Fuel:  80 octane gasoline                                        160 gallons

Engine Oil:                                                                 32 quarts

#Propeller shaft rpm                *Crankshaft rpm

POWER TRAIN

Transfer Gear Ratio:  1.19:1

Clutch: Dry disc, 2 plate

Transmission:  Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse

Gear Ratios:               1st 7.56:1                  4th          1.11:1

                                 2nd  3.11                  5th          0.73:1

                                 3rd   1.78                  Reverse 5.65:1

Steering: Controlled differential

      Bevel Gear Ratio: 3.53:1                       Steer Ratio: 1.5515:1

Brakes: Mechanical, external contracting  

Final Drive: Herringbone gear                    Gear ratio: 2.84:1

Drive Sprocket: At front of vehicle with 13 teeth

       Pitch Diameter:   25.038 inches

RUNNING GEAR

Suspension: Vertical volute Spring

        12 wheels in 6 bogies (3 bogies/track)

        Tire Size:  20 X 9 inches

        6 track return rollers (1 at rear of each bogie)

        Adjustable idler at rear of each track

        Idler Size: 22 X 9 inches

Tracks: Outside guide: T48, T49, T51, and T54E1

        Type: (T48) Double pin, 16.56 inch width, chevron, rubber

                   (T49) Double pin, 16.56 inch width, parallel bar, steel

                   (T51) Double pin, 16.56 inch width, smooth, rubber

                   (T54E1) Double pin, 16.56 inch width, chevron, steel

        Pitch: 6 inches

        Shoes per Vehicle: 166 (83/track)

        Ground Contact Length: 160 inches

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Nominal Voltage:  24 volts DC

  Main Generator:  (1) 24 volts, 50 amperes, driven by power take-off from main engine

  Auxiliary Generator:  (1) 30 volts, 50 amperes, driven by the auxiliary  engine

  Battery:  (2) 12 volts in series

COMMUNICATIONS

   Radio: SCR 508, 528 or 538 in rear of turret; SCR 506* (command tank only) in right                 front sponson

   Interphone:  (part of radio) 5 stations

    Flag Set M238, Panel Set AP50A, Spotlight, Siren

    Flares: 3 each, M17, M18, M19, and m21 (command tanks only)

    Ground Signals Projector M4 (command tanks only)

*early vehicles may be equipped with SCR 245

FIRE AND GAS PROTECTION

   (2) 10 carbon dioxide, fixed

   (2)  4 pound carbon dioxide, portable

   (2) 1 ½ Quart decontaminating apparatus

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Speed:   Sustained, level road                               20 miles/hour

                               Short periods, level                                  25 miles/hour

Maximum Grade:                                                                         60 percent

Maximum Trench:                                                                                8 feet

Maximum Vertical Wall:                                                               24 inches

Maximum Fording Depth:                                                             42 inches

Minimum Turning Circle:   (diameter)                                               70 feet

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Final one for the night. They are pretty easy now that I did the first one, though there are a lot of minor detail changes model to model. 

With the spec sheets in the word doc, its up to 56 pages and 38,383 words. When  Up update the main thread the spec sheets will all have to be images, but its not to hard to cut and past what needs to be updated. I'll just put all the spec sheets in their own post as Part V

 

Anyway, I'm winding down and heading to bed. 

 

M4A3E8%20complete%20specs_zps0swagpeq.pn

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