M4 Sherman Tank

US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center

M4 Sherman Tank

The Sherman tank was the almost usually used American tank in World War II. More than than 50,000 Shermans were produced betwixt 1942 and 1945. They were used in all combat theaters—not only past the United states, merely also past Great Britain, the Free French, China, and even the Soviet Union. Initially developed to replace the M3 "Grant/Lee" medium tank, the first Shermans were manufactured in 1942 and some early on productions examples saw combat in Northward Africa in 1943. The model proved itself somewhat effective against High german Mk II and Mk Iv Panzers, merely it was thoroughly outclassed past the Tiger, Panther, and King Tiger tanks. Notorious for their flammability, Shermans were nicknamed "Ronsons" after a lighter with the slogan "lights every time."

The Sherman tank'due south primary function was infantry support, spearheading attacks every bit well every bit bolstering defensive positions. Though oftentimes outgunned past their German counterparts, Shermans proved easier to maintain—oft stock-still on the battlefield. This particular tank, a rare M4A3E9 model (only a few hundred were built), carries appliqué armor for additional protection.

M4A3E9 Sherman Tank

The Museum's Sherman is an M4A3, built past Ford Motor Visitor in 1943. No unit markings were discovered when previous coats of paint were removed from the tank. Because the tank was manufactured in 1943, information technology is almost certain that it was deployed overseas during the state of war, although no boxing harm was discovered.

When the Sherman tank arrived at the Museum in December 2000, its engine was completely rusted and it was painted in a colour appropriate to the Korean War era rather than World War II. Restoration work began in late Oct 2004, when the tank received a running Ford GAA engine and a new paint job. The tank was restored with the markings of an bodily vehicle which served with D company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Sectionalization. The tank's nickname, "Draftee," is from a tank in the unit commanded by Staff Sergeant Julian Czekanski of Cleveland, Ohio. Information technology was common practice in the US Army and Marine Corps to have nicknames for armored vehicles. The names typically started with the letter of the company to which the vehicle was assigned.

Gift of the West Bank Optimist Club, 2000.216

Statistics

Type: Medium Tank

Product

Date Produced: 1943
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Visitor
Number Produced: 12,500+

Specifications (M4A3)

Coiffure: v (Commander, Loader, Gunner, Commuter, and Assistant Commuter)
Speed (sustained, level ground): 26 miles per hour
Engine: Ford GAA-V8 4-wheel, viii-cylinder (500 hp)
Weight: 68,000+ pounds
Ammunition: I 75 mm chief gun; ii .thirty caliber machine guns; one .l caliber automobile gun

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