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The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank
by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to
be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It was
also the basis of several successful tank destroyers, such as the M10, Achilles
and M36. Tens of thousands were distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the
British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. The tank was named by the British for the
American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman.
The M4 Sherman evolved from the M3 Medium Tank, which had its main armament in a
side sponson mount. The M4 retained much of the previous mechanical design, but
moved the main 75 mm gun into a fully traversing central turret. One feature, a
one-axis gyrostabilizer, was not precise enough to allow firing when moving but
did help keep the reticle on target, so that when the tank did stop to fire, the
gun would be aimed in roughly the right direction. The designers stressed
mechanical reliability, ease of production and maintenance, durability,
standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants, and
moderate size and weight. These factors, combined with the Sherman's then-superior
armor and armament, outclassed German light and medium tanks fielded in 1939–42.
The M4 went on to be produced in large numbers, being the most produced tank in
American history: The Soviets' T-34 medium tank was the only tank design produced
in larger numbers during World War II. The Sherman spearheaded many offensives by
the Western Allies after 1942.When the M4 tank went into combat in North Africa with the British Army at El
Alamein in late 1942, it increased the advantage of Allied armor over Axis armor
and was superior to the lighter German and Italian tank designs. For this reason,
the US Army believed that the M4 would be adequate to win the war, and relatively
little pressure was initially exerted for further tank development. Logistical and
transport restrictions, such as limitations imposed by roads, ports, and bridges,
also complicated the introduction of a more capable but heavier tank. Tank
destroyer battalions using vehicles built on the M4 hull and chassis, but with
open-topped turrets and more potent high-velocity guns, also entered widespread
use in the Allied armies. Even by 1944, most M4 Shermans kept their dual-purpose
75 mm gun. By then, the M4 was inferior in firepower and armor to increasing
numbers of German heavy tanks, but was able to fight on with the help of
considerable numerical superiority, greater mechanical reliability, better
logistical support, and support from growing numbers of fighter-bombers and
artillery pieces. Some Shermans were produced with a more capable gun, the 76 mm
gun M1, or refitted with a 76.2mm calibre Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun by the
British (the Sherman Firefly).
The relative ease of production allowed large numbers of the M4 to be
manufactured, and significant investment in tank recovery and repair units allowed
disabled vehicles to be repaired and returned to service quickly. These factors
combined to give the Allies numerical superiority in most battles, and many
infantry divisions were provided with M4s and tank destroyers.
After World War II, the Sherman, particularly the many improved and upgraded
versions, continued to see combat service in many conflicts around the world,
including the UN forces in the Korean War, with Israel in the Arab–Israeli wars,
briefly with South Vietnam in the Vietnam War, and on both sides of the Indo-
Pakistani War of 1965.
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2 or 4 CDR Files - Sizes you receive Depend on individual Product - usually in 1-8 and 3 mm and/or 1-4 and 6 mm Versions (Corel Draw Format for Laser)
2 or 4 DXF's - Sizes you receive Depend on individual Product - usually in 1-8 and 3 mm and/or 1-4 and 6 mm Versions (For Most CAD Programs)
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1 X Clear and Concise Color Assembly Manual.
1 X Number Guide DXF (Also called Coded DXF - NOT in all Products - Only in Certain Products)
