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Sherman, the experimental variants

Discussion in 'The Tanks of World War 2' started by Skua, Sep 27, 2005.

  1. Skua

    Skua New Member

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    Any comments, corrections or additions are welcome.

    Some of these experimentals was standarized and went into production, some wasn't. Some of the latter group wasn't standarized for obvious reasons, but others should perhaps have entered production ?

    M4E1(i) - M4A1 fitted with 76mm gun in standard turret. Turret was later modified, but in the end replaced by a T23 turret.

    M4E2 - M4A4 with RD-1820 diesel engine. Test vehicle for M4A6 production vehicle.

    M4E3 - Test vehicle. M4A4 fitted with Chrysler V-12 engine.

    M4E4 - M4 fitted with torsion bar suspension.

    M4E5 - Prototype for 105mm gun versions based on M4.

    M4E6 - Test vehicle for T23 turret with M1A1 76mm gun and 'wet storage'.

    M4E7 - M4A1 fitted with Ford GAA engine. Not adopted.

    M4E8 - M4A3 fitted as test vehicle for HVSS and 76mm gun

    M4E9 - M4 with spaced out suspension and grousers.

    To be continiued ...
     
  2. Roel

    Roel New Member

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    Do you have anything more on this one? I really wonder what it looks like and why it wasn't adopted (there seems to be plenty of room in a Sherman hull for torsion bars)?
     
  3. Skua

    Skua New Member

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    The M4E4 and the M4A2E4, the latter an M4A2 with torsion bar suspension, are the most intriguing experimental variants of the Sherman as far as I'm concerned.

    I do have a picture, but I can't scan it because my USB ports aren't working. But it looks like a Sherman with six roadwheels similiar to the type found on the M24 Chaffee.

    I have little information to offer. My guess, however, as for why the torsion bar system wasn't adopted, is that the HVSS required no re-design of the hull to speak of.
     
  4. patton4

    patton4 New Member

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    to many too remember! :eek:
     
  5. Che_Guevara

    Che_Guevara New Member

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    T31 "Demolition Tank"

    [​IMG]

    T14

    [​IMG]


    Regards,
    Che.
     
  6. sovietsniper

    sovietsniper New Member

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    Do british "funnys" count. I think some were shermans
     
  7. Man

    Man New Member

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    Anybody got something on the T31 Demolition Tank? :D
     
  8. Ricky

    Ricky Well-Known Member

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    Was the T-14 a Sherman with 'lowered' suspension?

    And what are those flaps at the side? Are they similar in use to the German 'skirts'?
     
  9. Roel

    Roel New Member

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    It looks like the T14 had double road wheels and correspondingly wider tracks.
     
  10. Che_Guevara

    Che_Guevara New Member

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    T14

    Military classification: schwerer Kampfpanzer
    Arms: 75 mm Kanone, 3 MG
    Armour-plating: 133 mm - 19 mm
    Weight: 42 Tonnen
    Motor: 520 PS
    Speed: 44 km/h
    Crew: 5 Mann
    Year of construction: 1943
    Quantities: 2

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Danyel Phelps

    Danyel Phelps Active Member

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    Ah yes, the Shermanhill.
     
  12. aglooka

    aglooka Member

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    something comletely different

    T 10 mine exploder


    [​IMG]
     
  13. aglooka

    aglooka Member

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    It had the tracks of the M6 heavy tank. if i remember correcty this was constructed using two tracks as used in the m2-m3 light tank series side by side

    aglooka
     
  14. Ebar

    Ebar New Member

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    Looks like the love child of a Matilida 2 and a Sherman. :D
     
  15. aglooka

    aglooka Member

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    T31 Demolition Tank

    The turret housed a dummy 105mm howitzer. This was flanked by two .30 machine guns in ball mounts. on each side of the turret was a T95 7.2 inch rocket launcher with a revolver feed holding 5 rounds each. the launchers could also be relaoded from inside the turret, the tank having 30 rounds in store.

    arrived at aberdeen proving grounds in august 1945 and developent was stopped after the war.

    aglooka
     
  16. Ricky

    Ricky Well-Known Member

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    What is the wee thingy on the end of the T-10's gun?
     
  17. aglooka

    aglooka Member

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    That's not specified in the description. I'd guess it is some sort of protection for the barrel from the blast of the exploding mine

    aglooka
     
  18. aglooka

    aglooka Member

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    sherman-marder

    [​IMG]

    90 mm gun on aa mount

    aglooka
     

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