DRAGON

Series – Armor

DRR 60360 – SHERMAN M4A2(76)W Diesel Powered

USSR “Soviet Army” 2^nd Tank Army, Battle of Berlin 1945

Scale – 1/72

Released – March 2008

List Price – 18.80

Retails up to $23.50

Discount is available for regular customers.

About the release

“The most important tank produced by the USA during WWII was the M4 Sherman, and it served in many other Allied armies too. One country that employed it was Russia, where tanks were supplied under the Lend Lease program. At a time when the Red Army* was facing severe shortages of tanks (due to combat losses and relocation of industrial production facilities), Allied tanks like the M4 helped plug gaps. Indeed, in 1941-42, Lend Lease tanks accounted for some 15% of Russia’s tank force. The Red Army operated the M4A2, a diesel-engine version of this famous tank. Initial deliveries were armed with the 75mm gun, while later vehicles featured a 76mm gun.

Dragon Armor has released a 1/72 scale model of one such M4A2(76)W in Red Army service. The model is finished in a plain olive drab finish, and bears tactical markings of the 2nd Tank Army whilst fighting in Berlin in 1945. This fully finished model is brimming with fine detail, and the engine deck and rear hull are correctly modeled to portray the unique appearance of this diesel-powered variant. This tank with 76mm gun has also received a judicious amount of weathering to bring it to life. Collectors who already have T-34 tanks in their 1/72 scale armies will relish the prospect of being able to add a Sherman M4A2 as well. The good news is that collectors don’t have to lend or lease this model, for they can buy their very own from Dragon Armor!”  source – www.dragonmodelsusa

A total of 4102 M4A2 were supplied to the USSR under the Lend-Leas Act.  Out of this number 2007 were armed with 75 mm gun and 2095 with 76 mm gun.  Soviet Union received 18.6 percent of all Shermans supplied to allies under the Lend-Lease Act.

ABOUT THE TANK:

In August 1940 on the next day after M3 was rush into production, design work started on a project called T6 Medium tank, the design criteria was that it will have 75mm gun in a turret rotated 360 degree and it would reuse the maximum of components from M3.  In September 1941 the T6 was standardize under the official title M4 Medium tank, which became widely known simply as Sherman with all its numerous modifications.  The name Sherman came from British who had practice to name their American-built tanks after famous American Civil War generals.  This mane found its way into common use in the US.  Production began in October 1941.  The new tank was armed with 75mm gun mounted in a one piece rounded casting, 3” thick in the front, power operated and gyrostabilizer controlling the gun in elevation.  Lover hull was welded while upper hull was available in different variants as welded (M4) and a cast (M4A1) both were approximately 2” /50.8 mm thick.

Seven factories manufactured a total of 49,230 tanks.  No other tank of WW II was produced in such quantity.  During the production there were numerous modifications.  US Armed forces had seven main sub-designation M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3, M4A4, M4A5 and M4A6.  The increase in the sub-type number doesn’t necessarily mean improvements but standardized production variation, which in many cases were in production at the same time at different manufacturing locations. Mostly sub-type reflected the power plant.  M4A5 was designation for Canadian production.  

In August 1942 more powerful 76mm gun (originally planed for use for abandoned project of M6 heavy tank) was proposed but unfortunately the project was ceased in November and only in July 1944 76mm gun Sherman went into production.  By the end of the war about a half US Army Shermans in Europe were armed with this gun.  In early 1941 two Sherman tanks with 105mm howitzer were tested and some 4,680 M4E5 armed with M52 105mm howitzer, built on M4 and M4A3 hulls were manufactured. 

During the production superstructure was modified, and 76 mm gun was installed in totally redesigned larger T23 turret.  Units equipped with safer “wet” ammunition stowage had (W) added to the designation name.  This additional protection significantly decrease fire hazard after a tank being hit by armor piercing ammunition.  Initially additional protection for armor stowage was provided with wielding 1” armor plate outside over the stowage bins.  Later the stowage was moved from sponson to the hull floor and equipped with additional water jackets surrounding the main gun ammunition stowage bins.  M4A4 variants based on its power-plant type had extended hull length and longer suspension system and as the result more track blocks.

Composite variant had improved frontal armor protection. It had a cast front hull section mated to a welded rear hull.  M4A3E2 “Jumbo” featured very thick front armor and new larger heavier T23 style turret but still armed with 75 mm gun. 

By the end of the war a new suspension was introduced, first combat in December 1944,  the HVSS – horizontal volute spring suspension with wider track.  This suspension type was nicknamed “Easy Eight” with its official experimental designation ‘E8’.  Therefore Shermans with this suspension type have E8 or HVSS added to its designation.

There were numerous arrangements of power plants, Continental R975 radial - M4(105), M4 Composite, M4A1(76)W; Ford GAA V8 - M4A3W, M4A3E2 “Jumbo”, M4A3E8(76);  Chrysler A57 5xL6 (five six cylinder engines) was used on early variants and most were supplied to UK; twin GM diesel engines M4A2 and very low production of some 100 pcs M4A6 was powered by Caterpillar D200A diesel.  M4 and M4A1 were the main types in US units until late 1944, when M4A3 with its more powerful 500 hp power plant replace it as the main US version.  Diesel powered variant was mostly supplied under the land lease program, and only limited number was used by USMC.  In some sources mentioned a twin Cadillac engine power plant variant. 

Maneuverable, reliable, simple in maintenance and operation it was advertised to American military personal as a best tank in a world.  But allies tankers learn about it shortcomings, often at cost of their comrades lives, very fast upon their first encounters with Germans, in Normandy.  Inadequate armour and especially armament, easy fire ignition after a heat in a motor compartment made this an easy target for Germans.  Panther tank could knock out a Sherman from a distance over 1,800 and Tiger much farther, while Sherman with 75 mm gun in general can do no damage to it even at 200-400 yards and to Tiger practically at any distance.  US Armored division suffered very high rate of losses.

During the African campaign Sherman 75 mm M3 gun could deal with Pz III and Pz IV variants but by the time of landing in Normandy German significantly improved Pz IV and to German Panther and Tiger tanks Sherman was no match.  M3 gun was considered obsolete and since July 1944 US Army deployed 76 mm long barrel M1 gun that gave Sherman tank anti-tank power sufficient enough to deal with Pz IV and StuG III and StuG IV that still be majority of German panzer force. 

Even with its shortcomings the Sherman tank was a good weapon and made irreplaceable contribution towards achieving the victory in the WW II. Sherman was a good infantry support tank.  While most Germans units have low chance to get a tank support it was widely available for Allies infantry man, especially on the Western Front, allowing them for faster advance with much less casualties that infantry will suffer otherwise. 

M4A3 (76)W HVSS “Easy Eight” were in service with US armed forces through the Korean War.  Over the 50’s army replaced remaining Shermans with Patton tanks. These Shermans were mostly imported to different counties.

Under the Lend-Lease Act the Sherman was supplied practically to all allies armies and saw battle in all parts of the world.  British get a great success with rearming some Sherman with their long barrel very high velocity OQF 17 pounder (76.2mm) gun.  Such tanks were known as Firefly.  Though not very accurate this gun firing certain type of shells was able to knock out Panther and Tiger tanks at a great distance (a Tiger armor could be penetrated at 1,500’).  British received approximately 17000 Shermans that is the highest number supplied to any allies nation and is about 34% of Shermans supplied under the Lend-Lease Act.