For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. How can you tell an M4A2 from an M4A3? Thread starter Honza Start date Dec 20, Honza The Art Of Wargames. Is there any tell tale signs that I should look out for? The reason I ask is because there was some confusion about which type of Sherman was being used at Iwo Jima. I have seen the same photograph of a Sherman at Iwo in two different places and one says it is an M4A2 and the other says it is an M4A3.
The Army did not use M4A2's, the Marines did. But apparently the Marines used M4A3's too. It is of interest to me because of my CG.
A book by Steven Zaloga has photos of Shermans at Iwo but he says they are all M4A2's; this author may be a bit of a rogue! I've read reviews to that effect. Last edited: Dec 20, Fort Elder Member. Main difference is the engine deck covers The A2 used a GMC diesel engine and the engine deck covers were different for this model, most of the rest of the Shermans had gasoline engines.
Kevin Kenneally Elder Member. Honza said:. The ready rack on the turret floor was protected by another gallon 3. Early M4A3Ws were fitted with the split hatch for the commander due to shortages of the turret cupola, but all had the oval loader's hatch. The larger hatches found in the degree glacis hull required a rework of the rear turret design. The slope of the upper turret bustle was shallower than that found on earlier 75mm gun turrets, and the bottom of the bustle was raised a few inches to add clearance for the hatches.
Late-production M4s also had the shallow horseshoe shape in the rear hull virtually eliminated. One hundred-five millimeter howitzer tanks retained the high-bustle turrets of the late 75mm gun tanks, but lacked stabilization and initially were built without power traverse.
Power traverse was added, but World War II ended before howitzer tanks with this feature saw action. The howitzer mount M52 sported a thicker howitzer shield, lifting hooks on each side of the ordnance, and four large screws evenly spaced around the base of the ordnance.
A second ventilator was added to the rear of the turret roof, and the mount for the. Since the M52 mount sticks out further from the turret face compared to the 75mm gun mount, attachments for a dust cover were provided around the howitzer mount. Early models lacked a tank commander's cupola, but the small oval loader's hatch was provided.
The TC's cupola was added as supplies became available during production. These tanks did not have a turret basket, but a partial platform suspended from the turret ring. Late-production tanks also had a movable shield added to the larger aperture in the howitzer shield for the gunner's telescope that rotated down when the telescope was in use. Wet ammunition stowage was not instituted on mm howitzer Shermans, but the ammunition stowage racks were armored.
Applique armor was not added despite the tanks not having wet stowage. Early vehicles had the circular split loader's hatch, which was replaced by the oval hatch in later models. Late M4A3 76 Ws also had the gun travel lock modified from a double-pronged cradle to a single arm which was hinged on one side.
The turret basket was completely eliminated in later models, and the crew seats were then suspended from the turret ring. Starting around February , a new exhaust deflector was mounted to M4A2 76 W tanks that replaced the curved sheetmetal deflector with a mesh grid that was superficially similar to the M4A3's exhaust deflector.
The first M4A3 s lacked a commander's vision cupola and power turret traverse. Powered traverse was later incorporated, but VE Day came before it could see action. An armored cover for the direct sight telescope to the right of the howitzer was developed in late production vehicles to protect the turret interior from small arms fire. The M4A3E2 Sherman was an M4A3 with applique armor welded to the hull front and sponson sides, and a new single-piece differential and final drive housing.
Unofficially known as "Jumbos," the tanks also lacked headlights and sirens. The new turret was based on the 76mm gun turret design, and came with a commander's cupola and an oval loader's hatch. The tank's final drive ratios were altered to better cope with the increased weight.
The T gun mount was constructed by welding armor plate to a standard M62 76mm gun mount. In fact it was intended to arm these tanks with the 76mm gun, but the 75mm weapon possessed a more effective high-explosive shell for infantry support and was therefore mounted. That the gun mount was originally a 76mm mount meant Jumbos could easily have their main gun switched to a 76mm M1 series, and some tanks were field-modified with the 76mm guns.
HVS suspension increased the Sherman's weight by lbs with T66 single pin track and lbs with T84 double pin track. But if that was the only possible driver, there would be no need for multiple models of the different versions. Miniatures Wargaming is as much a game as a craft, and historical wargaming also a research subject. For some at least, getting the "right tank" for the army you're building is an important consideration, even if it is irrelevant for others.
I FREX make all reasonable efforts to get the "right" tank for the period, even if I have to go out and spend more money to do so. John The squadron signal book on the Sherman is a good purchase.
It will give ou a good understanding of the different models of the M4 Sherman. Some early Shermans were updated as they were repaired and overhauled.
Also the transmision cover changed from a three piece cover with two ridges, to a one piece cover with out ridges.
If you want pictures I have a few that I can send. Almost half, 5, all 75s and in addition to these 5 of the 76s as well , were shipped to the UK under lend lease where it served as the Sherman III. The Sovets received 1, of the 75 armed and 2, of the 76 armed M4A2s. So of nearly 11, M4A2s produced nearly 9, were given to other countries during lend lease.
Who makes models of all the different US Army versions? We know that the Sherman had a reputation for catching fire easily, but was that because it really was prone to catching fire, or because a lot of them got knocked out in Normandy and when tanks get KO'd they commonly burn? The two easiest ways to ID them is to look at the models at the BF site, or to look them up in Wiki as there's always a pic.
But the short answer is some tanks burn more easily than others. FoW gives "Protected Ammo" to those less prone to burn. The problem with Shermans burning was due to a number of factors. The most important was the storage of ammunition in the sponsons. Posted February 6, edited. A1 shot Should be mm as the rest of the turret bar the back slope on the bustle but ingame we get tadaaaa: shot MadSlovenian 1, Out of curiosity, when did they start up armoring that part on the T23 turrets? Posted February 10, You should have talismaned M18 if you could.
VeryOldMan Posted February 17, Bushmaster6 Posted May 31, There ano differences. They are all overtiered and you better do not play them. Thats all. Tanaj 1, Posted June 5, PlymouthVoyager The M4A1 76 has a half way decent BR at 4.
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