Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meplat Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 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. Ignore the comment section, as it is spattered with derp. Neat find otherwise, glad they're working to recover them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 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 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 Donward 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 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) o 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. Donward, Belesarius, LeuCeaMia and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperComrade Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Looks almost like some sort of planetary rover without the tracks Jeeps_Guns_Tanks and Meplat 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meplat Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Looks almost like some sort of planetary rover without the tracks Even in decay, it's still a damn good looking machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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. Here it is with Armored Thunderbolt. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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. Here's a link to the Sherman in the pic being restored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meplat Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter_Sobchak Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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/ LeuCeaMia and Meplat 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belesarius Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Nice Walter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnsignExpendable Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yo check out my sweet "Sherman" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meplat Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yo check out my sweet "Sherman" "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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoooSeR Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Soldiers of the 32nd Indian armored division during the study of tanks, US-made M4 "Sherman"; Iraq; 1944. Jeeps_Guns_Tanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 this looked so much better in word.... 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Soldiers of the 32nd Indian armored division during the study of tanks, US-made M4 "Sherman"; Iraq; 1944. Thats an interesting fix, it looks like the British Shermans didn't have all the standard updates by 44. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted October 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 This is what the above post looked like in word. This took like three hours to copy from Hunnicutt's Sherman. I'm pretty sure he got the numbers from the various technical manuals. If anyone wants a copy of the word doc for this, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted November 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 Another image of a new spec sheet. This one on a M4 Mid production tank. Donward 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted November 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donward Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I posted this over in WoT. But I feel every M4 Sherman thread should have a photo of a collectible antique alcohol decanter in the shape of a tank. LoooSeR and Meplat 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Posted November 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I posted this over in WoT. But I feel every M4 Sherman thread should have a photo of a collectible antique alcohol decanter in the shape of a tank. Not just a tank Don, an M4A3 76 HVSS Sherman tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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