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t_boneВот такую полезную штуку нашел. Для диванных экспертов, вроде меня, самое то. Русский перевод нужен кому или итак все понятно?
Источник: "Sherman Tank: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives" by Gavin Birch
MODEL M4
Featured welded hull, cast turret, and 75mm gun in an M34 gun mount. Vision slots were fitted into front hull. Differential (transmission) housing was three part, bolted together. The earliest examples, after standardization in October 1941 had the track return rollers mounted at the top centre on the bogies. Engine mounted was the Continental R975 9 Cylinder Radial. Production continued until January, 1944 and later models had the 75mm gun mounted in the M34A1 gun mount. The later M4’s also had the three piece differential cover replaced by the sharp nosed design manufactured as a one piece casting. Therefore later M4’s are often misidentified as M4A2 variants. Sand shields were factory fitted on the M4.
MODEL M4A1
Two months after the standardization of the M4 in 1941 came the M4A1 which featured a curved cast hull to lessen the impact of direct hits after testing raised concern. The first Sherman accepted into British Service ‘Michael’ was an example of this model and is illustrated in this book. It used the three piece bolted differential cover and also direct vision slots in the front of the hull. These did not rotate, hence ‘direct’ vision slot - front view only. The 75mm gun was again mounted in the M34 mount. Track return rollers were centred atop the bogies on early models and there were ports cut in the front of the hull to allow the bow mounting of two fixed .30 calibre machine guns. These were later sealed and deleted by end of 1941. The engine used was the Continental R975 Radial engine. Later production models rolled off the line with track return rollers moved to the rear of the bogies, a cast one piece rounded diff cover and appliqué armour neatly welded to the turret and hull sides for added protection of ammunition compartments within. Field applied additional armour plate usually has a much rougher welded seam where it had been applied to the hull. Some were factory fitted with gun travelling locks attached at the front of the hull.
MODEL M4A2
Also standardized in December of 1941 this model had a welded hull with a cast turret and looked similar to an M4. Power to propel the tank was provided by the twin General Motors 6-71 Diesel engines. Earliest production tanks had the 75mm M3 in an M34 mount with vision slots for driver and co-driver. Differential cover was of the three piece bolted type and it still retained the twin fixed .30 machine guns mounted in the bow. The track return rollers were centred atop the bogies. Later versions of the M4A2 used the return rollers mounted at the rear of the bogies. Complicating identification, some early models used the one piece differential cover too, and later models of the M4A2 used this cover exclusively. 75mm guns were later mounted in the M34A1 redesigned mount and appliqué armour was added. Plates were welded onto the hull as hatch guards, especially in front of the driver’s position on what has become known as the driver’s hood. Gun travelling locks were fitted, and sand shields, at the factory although did not last long in the field. Battlefield travel soon tore off various components of the bolt together sand shield, which was made of much thinner steel than the armoured hull. The very late model of the M4A2 used the 47 degree hull front armour plate, which produced a distinctive silhouette rising to the driver’s/ co-driver’s positions. Enlarged doors for the driver and co driver were added in this later production. The diff cover used on these very late production models was of the sharp nose type only. The best way to identify this variant is by looking at the rear deck layout as the diesel engined M4A2’s had a distinctive access hatch layout, of course not every photograph affords this opportunity!
MODEL M4A3
This model became standardised in January of 1942, featuring a welded hull and cast turret. The 500hp Ford tank engine was the power-plant used to motivate the M4A3. A huge eight cylinder, liquid cooled V-Type engine specifically designed for tank use. The M34 gun mount was used in early production, vision slots were fitted and the diff cover was of the cast one piece rounded nose type. Return rollers were mounted on the rear of the rollers. Later production models of the M4A3 had periscopes fitted instead of direct vision slots, and had sand shields. The M34 gun mount remained in the turret. Changes occurred with the very late production M4A3 which mounted the 75mm gun in the M34A1 gun mount, used a vision cupola for the commander and innovated the small oval hatch above the loader in the turret. 47 degree hull front armour plate was also used on the very late production models, with enlarged driver’s doors, and the cast one piece sharp nosed differential housing. Vertical Volute Spring Suspension system and sand-shields were fitted at the factory. The front armour plate also had a gun travelling lock bolted to it.
MODEL M4A4
Standardised in February 1942, and similar again to the M4 it was powered by the unique Chrysler 5 block Chrysler Multibank engine. The hull had to be lengthened to accommodate this new engine and this was noted as the first large-scale significant change to the basic Sherman design. It was elongated by 11 inches, (28cm). Consequently the bogies were spaced further apart than on other models. A longer track with 83 shoes, compared to 79 on other M4 variants was necessary. This spacing can be measured in photographs as being approximately three track end connectors long, whereas other models are only two connectors length apart. M4A4’s can be identified by the tubular grille featuring on the upper rear deck directly behind the turret but these also feature on the M4A6. Earliest models mounted the 75mm M3 gun in the standard M34 mount, used vision slots in the frontal armour and were fitted with the three piece bolted differential cover. The late 1943 production model had the M34 gun mount replaced by the M34A1 and earlier vision slots were deleted. Periscopes provided front view for the drivers when hatches were battened down. The late production types still retained the three piece cover for the differential. The Chrysler designed M4A4 also features a small welded plate to either side of the turret splash ring, protecting drainage holes, which was also used on the M4A6 - These are the only types of Sherman with this feature.
MODEL M4A5
The M4A5 was produced in Canada as the Ram II tank and was only given the designation for record purposes by the US Government. The Ram II was not a Sherman variant in reality but is illustrated in the Home Army Chapter of this book, and is noted to help distinguish the other Shermans.
MODEL M4A6
This version also had the lengthened hull the same as the M4A4, but this time to accommodate an Ordnance RD-1820 air cooled diesel engine. The longer tracks with 83 shoes were also used. Interestingly the hull of the M4A6 was a composite made of rolled and cast upper hull utilising the cast one piece sharp nosed differential housing. Main gun was the 75mm in an M34A1 gun mount and suspension operated on vertical volute spring system. Sand shields were fitted in the factory as was some appliqué armour. Only a small number of M4A6’s were constructed (75) between October of 1943 and February of 1944. The US Army declined their issue however some were sent to the United Kingdom. They are identifiable in British service by the large curved exhaust cover on the rear plate among other features.
MODEL M4 (105mm Howitzer)
US armament design studies had predicted the mounting of the 105mm Howitzer in a turret tank as early as 1941 and tests had been carried out in March of 1942 at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. The idea being to increase firepower additional to the speed Chrysler 5 block Chrysler Multibank engine. The hull had to be lengthened to accommodate this new engine and this was noted as the first large-scale significant change to the basic Sherman design. It was elongated by 11 inches, (28cm). Consequently the bogies were spaced further apart than on other models. A longer track with 83 shoes, compared to 79 on other M4 variants was necessary. This spacing can be measured in photographs as being approximately three track end connectors long, whereas other models are only two connectors length apart. M4A4’s can be identified by the tubular grille featuring on the upper rear deck directly behind the turret but these also feature on the M4A6. Earliest models mounted the 75mm M3 gun in the standard M34 mount, used vision slots in the frontal armour and were fitted with the three piece bolted differential cover. The late 1943 production model had the M34 gun mount replaced by the M34A1 and earlier vision slots were deleted. Periscopes provided front view for the drivers when hatches were battened down. The late production types still retained the three piece cover for the differential. The Chrysler designed M4A4 also features a small welded plate to either side of the turret splash ring, protecting drainage holes, which was also used on the M4A6 - These are the only types of Sherman with this feature.
MODEL M4A3E2
Recognition that the second front would require an up-rated assault tank promoted development work which began in early 1944 to redesign the Sherman. To fullfil this role as an infantry support vehicle in an assault situation a new tank altogether was required, but the Pershing T26E1 had not yet passed it’s testing stage or acceptance for issue within the US Army. Standard M4A3 tanks were earmarked for beefing up to take the punishment an assault tank might expect in the meantime. Additional armour was welded to front surfaces, creating a thickness in places of four inches. New turrets were designed and fitted with the 75mm M3 gun. These had six inches of frontal armour, and additional rolled plating to the top of the turret. Unfortunately the increased armour, pushing the total weight to forty-two tons meant a decrease in speed. 254 Assault tanks of the M4A3E2 type were ordered and these were produced in Michigan at the Grand Blanc Tank Arsenal from May to June, 1944.
Источник: "Sherman Tank: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives" by Gavin Birch
MODEL M4
Featured welded hull, cast turret, and 75mm gun in an M34 gun mount. Vision slots were fitted into front hull. Differential (transmission) housing was three part, bolted together. The earliest examples, after standardization in October 1941 had the track return rollers mounted at the top centre on the bogies. Engine mounted was the Continental R975 9 Cylinder Radial. Production continued until January, 1944 and later models had the 75mm gun mounted in the M34A1 gun mount. The later M4’s also had the three piece differential cover replaced by the sharp nosed design manufactured as a one piece casting. Therefore later M4’s are often misidentified as M4A2 variants. Sand shields were factory fitted on the M4.
MODEL M4A1
Two months after the standardization of the M4 in 1941 came the M4A1 which featured a curved cast hull to lessen the impact of direct hits after testing raised concern. The first Sherman accepted into British Service ‘Michael’ was an example of this model and is illustrated in this book. It used the three piece bolted differential cover and also direct vision slots in the front of the hull. These did not rotate, hence ‘direct’ vision slot - front view only. The 75mm gun was again mounted in the M34 mount. Track return rollers were centred atop the bogies on early models and there were ports cut in the front of the hull to allow the bow mounting of two fixed .30 calibre machine guns. These were later sealed and deleted by end of 1941. The engine used was the Continental R975 Radial engine. Later production models rolled off the line with track return rollers moved to the rear of the bogies, a cast one piece rounded diff cover and appliqué armour neatly welded to the turret and hull sides for added protection of ammunition compartments within. Field applied additional armour plate usually has a much rougher welded seam where it had been applied to the hull. Some were factory fitted with gun travelling locks attached at the front of the hull.
MODEL M4A2
Also standardized in December of 1941 this model had a welded hull with a cast turret and looked similar to an M4. Power to propel the tank was provided by the twin General Motors 6-71 Diesel engines. Earliest production tanks had the 75mm M3 in an M34 mount with vision slots for driver and co-driver. Differential cover was of the three piece bolted type and it still retained the twin fixed .30 machine guns mounted in the bow. The track return rollers were centred atop the bogies. Later versions of the M4A2 used the return rollers mounted at the rear of the bogies. Complicating identification, some early models used the one piece differential cover too, and later models of the M4A2 used this cover exclusively. 75mm guns were later mounted in the M34A1 redesigned mount and appliqué armour was added. Plates were welded onto the hull as hatch guards, especially in front of the driver’s position on what has become known as the driver’s hood. Gun travelling locks were fitted, and sand shields, at the factory although did not last long in the field. Battlefield travel soon tore off various components of the bolt together sand shield, which was made of much thinner steel than the armoured hull. The very late model of the M4A2 used the 47 degree hull front armour plate, which produced a distinctive silhouette rising to the driver’s/ co-driver’s positions. Enlarged doors for the driver and co driver were added in this later production. The diff cover used on these very late production models was of the sharp nose type only. The best way to identify this variant is by looking at the rear deck layout as the diesel engined M4A2’s had a distinctive access hatch layout, of course not every photograph affords this opportunity!
MODEL M4A3
This model became standardised in January of 1942, featuring a welded hull and cast turret. The 500hp Ford tank engine was the power-plant used to motivate the M4A3. A huge eight cylinder, liquid cooled V-Type engine specifically designed for tank use. The M34 gun mount was used in early production, vision slots were fitted and the diff cover was of the cast one piece rounded nose type. Return rollers were mounted on the rear of the rollers. Later production models of the M4A3 had periscopes fitted instead of direct vision slots, and had sand shields. The M34 gun mount remained in the turret. Changes occurred with the very late production M4A3 which mounted the 75mm gun in the M34A1 gun mount, used a vision cupola for the commander and innovated the small oval hatch above the loader in the turret. 47 degree hull front armour plate was also used on the very late production models, with enlarged driver’s doors, and the cast one piece sharp nosed differential housing. Vertical Volute Spring Suspension system and sand-shields were fitted at the factory. The front armour plate also had a gun travelling lock bolted to it.
MODEL M4A4
Standardised in February 1942, and similar again to the M4 it was powered by the unique Chrysler 5 block Chrysler Multibank engine. The hull had to be lengthened to accommodate this new engine and this was noted as the first large-scale significant change to the basic Sherman design. It was elongated by 11 inches, (28cm). Consequently the bogies were spaced further apart than on other models. A longer track with 83 shoes, compared to 79 on other M4 variants was necessary. This spacing can be measured in photographs as being approximately three track end connectors long, whereas other models are only two connectors length apart. M4A4’s can be identified by the tubular grille featuring on the upper rear deck directly behind the turret but these also feature on the M4A6. Earliest models mounted the 75mm M3 gun in the standard M34 mount, used vision slots in the frontal armour and were fitted with the three piece bolted differential cover. The late 1943 production model had the M34 gun mount replaced by the M34A1 and earlier vision slots were deleted. Periscopes provided front view for the drivers when hatches were battened down. The late production types still retained the three piece cover for the differential. The Chrysler designed M4A4 also features a small welded plate to either side of the turret splash ring, protecting drainage holes, which was also used on the M4A6 - These are the only types of Sherman with this feature.
MODEL M4A5
The M4A5 was produced in Canada as the Ram II tank and was only given the designation for record purposes by the US Government. The Ram II was not a Sherman variant in reality but is illustrated in the Home Army Chapter of this book, and is noted to help distinguish the other Shermans.
MODEL M4A6
This version also had the lengthened hull the same as the M4A4, but this time to accommodate an Ordnance RD-1820 air cooled diesel engine. The longer tracks with 83 shoes were also used. Interestingly the hull of the M4A6 was a composite made of rolled and cast upper hull utilising the cast one piece sharp nosed differential housing. Main gun was the 75mm in an M34A1 gun mount and suspension operated on vertical volute spring system. Sand shields were fitted in the factory as was some appliqué armour. Only a small number of M4A6’s were constructed (75) between October of 1943 and February of 1944. The US Army declined their issue however some were sent to the United Kingdom. They are identifiable in British service by the large curved exhaust cover on the rear plate among other features.
MODEL M4 (105mm Howitzer)
US armament design studies had predicted the mounting of the 105mm Howitzer in a turret tank as early as 1941 and tests had been carried out in March of 1942 at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. The idea being to increase firepower additional to the speed Chrysler 5 block Chrysler Multibank engine. The hull had to be lengthened to accommodate this new engine and this was noted as the first large-scale significant change to the basic Sherman design. It was elongated by 11 inches, (28cm). Consequently the bogies were spaced further apart than on other models. A longer track with 83 shoes, compared to 79 on other M4 variants was necessary. This spacing can be measured in photographs as being approximately three track end connectors long, whereas other models are only two connectors length apart. M4A4’s can be identified by the tubular grille featuring on the upper rear deck directly behind the turret but these also feature on the M4A6. Earliest models mounted the 75mm M3 gun in the standard M34 mount, used vision slots in the frontal armour and were fitted with the three piece bolted differential cover. The late 1943 production model had the M34 gun mount replaced by the M34A1 and earlier vision slots were deleted. Periscopes provided front view for the drivers when hatches were battened down. The late production types still retained the three piece cover for the differential. The Chrysler designed M4A4 also features a small welded plate to either side of the turret splash ring, protecting drainage holes, which was also used on the M4A6 - These are the only types of Sherman with this feature.
MODEL M4A3E2
Recognition that the second front would require an up-rated assault tank promoted development work which began in early 1944 to redesign the Sherman. To fullfil this role as an infantry support vehicle in an assault situation a new tank altogether was required, but the Pershing T26E1 had not yet passed it’s testing stage or acceptance for issue within the US Army. Standard M4A3 tanks were earmarked for beefing up to take the punishment an assault tank might expect in the meantime. Additional armour was welded to front surfaces, creating a thickness in places of four inches. New turrets were designed and fitted with the 75mm M3 gun. These had six inches of frontal armour, and additional rolled plating to the top of the turret. Unfortunately the increased armour, pushing the total weight to forty-two tons meant a decrease in speed. 254 Assault tanks of the M4A3E2 type were ordered and these were produced in Michigan at the Grand Blanc Tank Arsenal from May to June, 1944.
