It remains by far the most widely used tank on the Allied side during the war. It was derived into countless derivatives and had a very long postwar career which lasted well into the Cold War. It has been largely compared to the T-34, and had the …

By the standards of 1940, the M4 offered a dependable gun platform able to deal with the main German tanks of the time, the Panzer III and IV, support infantry and make a breakthrough through speed and firepower.

There are many variants of the Sherman, ranging from the M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3 and M4A4, which also encompass many sub-variants (such as the M4 (105) or M4A3E8 "Easy Eight", among others). M4 (105). M4A1 (cast hull). Note the rounded edges of its fully cast upper hull. Variants from the M4 and M4A1 share the same 9-cylinder radial engine profile.

Two of the new 2nd Generation models, the M4 and M4A3 would be armed with 105mm howitzers, using the M52 Gun mount system developed for the M4E5. The photo above shows the M4 (105) pilot photographed at the Detroit Tank Arsenal in early 1944.

Despite the M3's effectiveness, the tank's unconventional layout and the limitations of its hull-mounted gun prompted the need for a more efficient and versatile design, leading to the development of the M4 Sherman.

One of the technological innovations of the battle, the eight Sherman M4A3R3 medium tanks equipped with flamethrowers ("Ronson" or "Zippo" tanks), proved very effective at clearing Japanese positions.

Feb 17, 2021 · After a few iterations of mounting flamethrowers onto light-armored vehicles in the Marianas and on Peleliu, U.S. Navy Seabees finally modified a Sherman M4A3 tank with the Mark-1 flamethrower....

It would see all the improvements, and be the first hull type to take the HVSS suspension system into combat for the US Army. It would be produced in three factories with all turret types, 12,596 built in total between June 42 and June of 45.

A M4A3 Sherman with the coaxial machine gun replaced with a flamethrower.

The M4A3 was the preferred US Army vehicle. M4A3 (75) - M4A3 with 75mm M3 gun. M4A3 (105) - M4A3 with 105mm howitzer used for infantry support rather than anti-armour. M4A3E2 Assault Tank - postwar nickname "Jumbo" - extra armour (including 1 inch on front), vertical sided turret, but about 3-4 mph slower.