binder001
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,729
The Americans sent Shermans out from the factory with three basic guns; 75mm M3 (ballistically similar to the classic French 75), 76mm gun M1 series (M1, M1A1, M1A1C and M1A2) on later editions of M4A1, M4A2 and M4A3, and 105mm howitzer M4 (based on the field artillery's 105) mounted in late-hull M4 and M4A3. The late 75mm and 105mm were in the same basic turret and the 76s were in turrets adapted from the experimental T23 medium tank design. The British used M4, M4 "hybrid" and M4A4 types with late 75mm gun mounts to create their famous "Firefly" conversions. The US experimented with placing the 76mm in the 75mm turret but only one was completed during WW2 (a number were converted for foreign military aid after WW2, which is why the "Kelly's Heroes" Shermans have the long guns).
There were two Canadian-built versions of the Sherman. Cruiser Tank Ram was based on M3 "Lee" and M4 components. I believe that the most common gun in them was the 6 pounder. Ram carried the "paper designation" M4A5. Rams didn't go to war as gun tanks but did see action as tuurretless "Kangaroo" APCs. The Ram also supplied the chassis for the Sexton SP 25 pound gun-howitzer. There were also 188 Grizzly 1 cruiser tanks built - basically an M4A1 that was assembled by MLW with most components supplied by the US. A bunch of the "M4A1" tanks running in movies and collections are actuially "Grizzlies".
The 76mm M1 series and the 3" M7 gun were not the same (and had different ammo), but had very similar performance. The 76mm could fire the HVAP shot which gave improved AP peformance. Unfortunately the HVAP was in short supply and mostly went to units with M18 tank destroyers.
Gary
