A Slightly Confusing Guide to The Sherman Tank

[@eta320]

Hey all, future Eta here! I just wanted to pop in for a message to all the new people who are finding my channel through this video. Firstly I'd like to say, welcome aboard! But secondly, although I still consider this to be one of my best videos, its still one of my first, so I strongly encourage you to check out some of my other stuff and subscribe for videos of similar passion, with higher production quality! Also, I have expanded! I now operate a live stream channel on Eta320 LIVE, have my own discord where I give sneak peaks of projects to members, and have even started a podcast with some YT buddies! So if you like me and my content, there is so much more to explore. My discord: discord.gg/n9bMyt4uKM Live Channel: kzbin.info/door/B1iMnyrIYMz9Ft06pWOQVA My podcast: kzbin.info/door/sYlkjyhtSHXuEsyZRExPpQ

[@armyman-ig7qs]

nice video in my opinion not backed by any source but I think they chose the m4a4 to convert into a firefly due to it being bigger. Meaning it could carry all those big 17 pounder ammo. Just my opinion tho great vid.

[@irinashidou9524]

15:05 Love your content but the hypocrisy of ‘I can’t be bothered to research and explain these variants of the Sherman (of which I wouldn’t call icons like the Calliope and Supers ‘minute’)’ is amusing when in your closing remarks you state ‘I realised I knew nothing about my favourite tank and strived to learn everything there is to know about said tank’

[@eta320]

@@irinashidou9524 my realization I knew far less about the Sherman than I thought led me to do a lot of surface level browsing. In which I discovered just how deep the Sherman rabbit hole goes. For this video, I had to take time to narrow my research and become versed in the specific models I was going to be presenting on. I was already limiting my selection for time constraint reasons, so why bother deep diving on tanks that I won’t put in the video. This video was also made a year ago, I have almost quadrupled my Sherman knowledge since then.

[@irinashidou9524]

@@eta320 Fair. Would you consider making a part 2?

[@zakirbakar3540]

@@irinashidou9524 seriously SKINK VIDEO WHEN

[@vincediscombe7360]

I love how rules 1->6 are literally just "this is not a reliable way to identify a sherman"

[@thenathan4490]

Wait till you hear about the M-51 Sherman armed with a 105mm modern MBT cannon, M4A4 with the SA-50, an M4A1 with a heccin oscillating turret on it and a weird SO-122 with an IS-2 gun and a Klimov engine in it. Boy, your pain doesn't end there, because now, you need to talk about an Israeli modified Sherman, an Egyptian modified Sherman and a Yugoslav Frankenstein that can be considered to be the Ultimate Sherman (because no).

[@that_floofy_beauty1981]

I liked the M51 the best because it's the design that Israelis came up when they had those old Sherman's in their arsenals. The M4 with the oscillating turret is called M4 FL10.

[@thenathan4490]

@@that_floofy_beauty1981 However, is it IRL ? In WT, eyup, but I am not sure irl. The M4A4 SA50 is officially called the M-50, so, not sure about the FL10.

[@that_floofy_beauty1981]

The name is true. Its a french tank project for Egypt.

[@tombeer9]

@@that_floofy_beauty1981 the French where involved with the Israeli and Egyptian projects

[@shrekfan69420]

@@thenathan4490 The “M4A4 (SA50)” is actually the prototype to the M50, the first models were named “M50 Degem Alef”. The French also helped with the prototype for the M51, called the “M4 Revalorisé”

[@t.e.sprocketeering]

I always knew that Sherman variants were an impenetrable mess, so I never really got into it. But your video was the perfect antidote. Thanks. Also, shout out to the M4A1 for being the cuddliest tank ever made.

[@eta320]

Little cutie boy

[@t.e.sprocketeering]

@@eta320 Cute? Sexy? Something in between? Who knows!? But there’s no tank I’d rather accidentally walk into while on patrol after dark. Top-tier pedestrian impact safety right there, smoooth.

[@kung_puey]

@@t.e.sprocketeering Yes.

[@TheUSgoverment]

Fun fact. There was an m4a4 variant called the "Crocodile", armed with a extra flamethrower to go along with it's cannon. It was very unpopular, more then the regular m4a4. Mainly with southerners who felt a bit uneasy giving Sherman a flamethrower

[@teoborges3949]

Generational PTSD kicking-in

[@bobbot5400]

Isnt that a british churchill variant?

[@TheUSgoverment]

@@bobbot5400 yeah there was also that. Crocodile is just how we named flamethrower tanks apperently

[@huntclanhunt9697]

​@@bobbot5400 USMC used it on Iwo Jima, at the very least.

[@huntclanhunt9697]

​@@TheUSgoverment After WW2 we called all post Sherman flame tanks "Zippos".

[@USA0312]

Came here from the Sprocket discord, loved every second of this, awesome work broski

[@eta320]

Glad you liked it!

[@glitchii_uwu]

i used to attempt to identify sherman variants by their suspension and the hull shape. i was about only 25% accurate. turns out that i was completely wrong on all of those things to base variants on. thank you for such a good and informative video.

[@billytheshoebill5364]

Wha- I know you couldnt cover all Shermans variant but you mention the E8 variant like it was just a normal tank that thing is imo the best evolution of the Shermans. It deserve its own segment.

[@eta320]

You're in luck. I gave it it's own video!

[@billytheshoebill5364]

@@eta320 yup just watched it thanks. Also have you considered making this kind of video but with other tanks for example PZ.IV,T-34?

[@eta320]

@@billytheshoebill5364 Yes! In fact, the original title for this video was going to be "The M4 Sherman: How many did they make!?" and in my list of video ideas I have laid out the same thing for exactly the PZ IV and the T-34. These tank documentary videos take a long time to research and edit, so I cannot say when those will come out. But they are 100% on my list.

[@billytheshoebill5364]

@@eta320 allright m8 good luck on researching them

[@gibraltergames7954]

i hate how not alot of people watch these videos they are higher quality than most other history channles and go more in depth i love these videos

[@Ari.Atland]

Sherman Grizzly Firefly existed in 2 examples. Sherman Grizzly being a Canadian made M4A1. Two Firefly turrets were sent to Canada & The U.S. for testing. A surviving model exists in Ontario.

[@user-ns4zm8qe9p]

Does the model happen to live in haliburton Ontario?

[@devilin100]

@@user-ns4zm8qe9p The last Grizzly Medium*, ‘Radley-Waltersis', rest at Borden. *(as far as I can tell that was the official designation based on serial number data from the DoND. They were probable just called fireflies in practice) Not that the three that were converted existed in huge numbers and were really just for training. Other two probably got sold of to collectors by the Portuguese, or they were plopped on an ordinance range out west to exist as mangled beyond recognition scrap.

[@Rickshaw94]

​@user-ns4zm8qe9p it's sitting outside the military police school at CFB Borden

[@lt.gerbal1399]

MAN. I thought I knew the Sherman, but I very quickly found that I knew NOTHING. You have shaken my mind, my perspective, and my ego. Very well done. I really hope this gets the attention it deserves.

[@jaspercushing3470]

Loved the intro! Especially the bit at 6:33 about "passing the knowledge onto your friends who almost certainly don't care." Such a relatable feeling! 😂😂😂

[@FloridatedH2O]

While the family metaphor didn't always make sense (who ever heard of the middle child getting all the attention) this video was really awesome and, as a Sherman peruser, completely changed my perspective on the American tank development. Clearly a lot of work went into this, and you have earned a sub.

[@brendondickerson9563]

Right. That was my only problem with the video lol. Middle children are the most neglected.

[@shadowbolt96]

Good video! I went on my own miniature rabbit hole when trying to identify the Sherman abandoned on a hiking trail in Guam (It was an M4A3 (75)). This was fun to watch, I am even more capable of being the guy who knows a little too much about tanks.

[@TheDgamesD]

Honestly i adore the Italian Semovente's. They always get overlooked when discussing Italian armor, but not only are they cute, but they were quite deadly for their time.

[@DoeJohn887]

I just wanted to say, I'm very grateful about this video, and teaching me more about one of my all time favorite tanks. I've always been confused about the many different Sherman tank variants, and what makes them different, so much so that I've felt overwhelmed about trying to learn more about them myself. This is now one of my all-time favorite tank videos!!! Thank you Eta320!!!!! Well done...

[@M41D_Walker_Bulldog]

one thing you could of mentioned, albeit im a bit late, as this is a year old, is how many countries actually used the M4A3, the Japan, Korea, Canada, etc, id also like to see a video on the ungodly amount of non-us sherman varients made post war, if you haven't already made one

[@eta320]

The M4A3 was America’s baby, so compared to all the over variants, it was probably donated the least during WWII. After WWII though, special programs were started for giving away Sherman tanks to European nations to help them rebuild after WWII. Look into the M4A3E6, a program to stuff the 76mm gun into older M4A3’s and donate them to any nation desperate enough for tanks.

[@that_one_helljumper]

The Sherman is so iconic to me because of all the 70s-90s movies that they've been in. Also because of the classic green army men which one of the sets I got as I kid had one of these in it

[@isopod_gaming-real-]

"The multibank needs some work..." "Ok whats the issue?" "I think one of the valves need to be reseated." *"Which one?"*

[@Thisbuilder]

5:19 uh… that third tab u got there

[@davidmiller9485]

The whole diesel vs Gas thing is covered in Operation think Tank. Basically the Army was fighting with the UK for Gas Shermans. The Marines found they could take the diesels 6 months early so they did. They like them so much that they didn't want to give them up. Operation think Tank is worth the watch.

[@mnguy98]

I'm not sure if anyone else has commented or if you've seen it since then. But The Chieftain put out a video on an "M3A1" Lee tank, which had a cast hull, and IIRC he stated that the first Shermans (since they were made with cast hulls) were given the M4A1 designation to keep consistent with the cast M3A1. I could be misremembering somewhat, but that's the explanation I'm familiar with.

[@abitofapickle6255]

The tank museum was talking about the M4a1 76 in one of their videos, mostly about the Snake troop. The M4a1s the British had were probably converted to the 76W modification. That's a possibility why no M4a1 was used as a firefly. They were either kept as the 75 or 76 W modification.

[@stevenfox7407]

Thank you for the video; the Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family is my favorite to study and model. I appreciate that you hold the same favorable view of the tank used by all Allied nations in World War Two that I do. The best counterpoint to the book you showed was a rebuttal penned by Albin Irzyk, an officer who fought in M4s in the ETO. He called the Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) one of the best tanks of the conflict--and he would know, since he saw plenty of combat in them. That said, there are some inaccuracies in your production. The 3 piece "nose"--Final Drive Housing (FDH)--was bolted, not riveted. M4 was produced with the 3-piece FDH--my collection of books on Shermans contain many photos of them. There were actually 3 different FDHs--3-piece, then rounded cast, finally sharp-nosed cast. The rear of the upper hull on large hatch M4s and M4A1s lacked the cutout (excepting the M4 Composites built by Chrysler and American Locomotive). Montreal Locomotive Works that built the Ram (M4A5) briefly switched to producing the Grizzly (M4A1 small hatch), and at least two were fitted with Firefly turrets. The only M4A2 Firefly I know of is in the US, originally at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The British sent a Firefly turret to the US for evaluation, and it was (and still is) mounted on a direct vision M4A2 hull. The large plate on the engine deck of M4s and M4A1s was an armored cover for the air intake for the cooling fan for the air-cooled radial engine they shared. The bump on the back of the M4A4 was to fit the single huge radiator needed to cool the engine. I hope this information is helpful.

[@-zero-3148]

Came for Sherman, stayed for questionable tabs

[@independentpolicy3247]

This model confusion was exactly why the sherman was such a good tank overall. Modularity, ease of repair and crew survivability.

[@actualalula]

i don’t understand any word of this guy, but his voice, its worth the 40 mins

[@nomadprod.6211]

As a fellow sherman connoisseur, this video is very good, altough some details are ommited (such as the prototype of the sherman with the T-23 turret being made on a M4 composite which technicaly classifies it as an M4 76 (w) ) Also dont forget about the pletra of vehicles based on the sherman such as the m10, m36, m7 etc If you want to, we can talk over on discord :) discord.gg/pag4EWb

[@eta320]

Cool detail about the T-23 Prototype, guess that does technically count as an M4 (76)! As for the other vehicles you listed, its as I said in the video, I just wanted to focus on the main production variants of the Sherman. If I went into detail with EVERY variant there was, and all other vehicles that came from it, the video would be hours long.

[@nomadprod.6211]

@@eta320 yeah, ask me about it ahah, made a video of all the sherman variants I could find....and I didnt even find all of them (it's my most viewed video)

[@casperreininga3253]

@@eta320 In addition, I believe India converted some of their M4A4 Shermans to fit the 76mm aswell, thus also creating the existence of M4A4(76).

[@m26a1pershing7]

@@casperreininga3253 In museums and monuments, all kinds of parts were mixed and matched, particularly in South Africa and Israel, but really all over. Because of this, many of the rules noted can't necessarily be applied to existing examples, unless you want to hunt serial numbers.

[@ajm9289]

Fun facts: the phrase Firefly was given to the Wolverine with the 17 pdr in contemporary sources and Canada experimented with the Grizzly I and the 17 pdr, making what I like to call the Grizzly Firefly. Also quick note: Aberdeen has an M4A2 converted to a Firefly. It’s believed there were a few Sherman IIICs, but very limited numbers.

[@ajm9289]

if anyone wants a list I painstakingly compiled of all Sherman variants I have one

[@Hunter-lm7wo]

@@ajm9289 ooohhh, that sounds fascinating, mind shooting me the link to the list?

[@ajm9289]

@@Hunter-lm7wo sorry, sent the wrong list, here's the correct one docs.google.com/document/d/1kDK93c68kmeIyVHKng8iRc0QyPyDUns0KvBBWFE2kZM/edit?usp=sharing

[@dhwwiiexpert]

@@ajm9289 Link pls?

[@ajm9289]

@@dhwwiiexpert I've it linked in my previous comment.

[@jackhudspeth956]

I’ve seen and worked on a restored Chrysler multibank up close and I can firmly say that it is the most beautiful yet complex piece of machinery I’ve ever seen

[@monkeyastronomy4088]

Thank you so much really wanted to know the sherman better, as their are so many varients. Please make a stug video and never give up

[@eta320]

We're just getting started! I actually don't really know anything about the StuG, I'll definitely add it to my list of video ideas!

[@trainsrg8]

Oh hey that’s me in the chieftan talk! I am glad to once again have the back of my head immortalized in a video

[@Basicallybaltic]

It must be an honour

[@whiskeithered]

I really appreciate you making this video, as my tank knowledge was a stranger to Sherman tanks.

[@m26a1pershing7]

Nice to see TE and Sherman Minutia getting some love, the latter in particular being excellent for learning this sort of stuff

[@kalebdoughty4654]

Awesome video, I learnt a lot here. You’ve definitely earned a subscription, I look forward to seeing more in the future. I love Christie suspension and the Easy 8 and think it’d be great to see videos on those. Keep up the good work!

[@eta320]

Glad you learned something! My next video is planned to be a little gameplay of myself as a tank commander in the game "Foxhole," then I'll probably throw together another War Thunder Montage, but after those, the Christy Suspension video will be my next big project.

[@panzerjagertigerporsche]

5:59 it would've been funny if you had said "the Ten Shermandments" to go with the Sherman theme you were building up

[@mikhailiagacesa3406]

You guys are so lucky to have video games to base your knowledge on.

[@emilbt7588]

thing to note is that the plain M4 (75) was never made as a large hatch variant. Only the M4 with composite hull and the M4 (105) were given the large hatch treatment. The large hatches was one of the core elements needed to add the T23 turret on top. Without the hull being angled less and the hatches being bigger and moved a tad more forward, there would be lowered chances for the hull crew to leave the tank if the turret was facing forward when the tank was hit.

[@Personalza23MD11]

M4A4 definitely a personal fave because of its red-neck five engines stuck together engine. If it has a HVSS suspension it'll be superb lmao but I do get why they didn't do it. Love your video man!

[@Roulandus-le-Fartere]

No surprises on the A57 Multibank. Chrysler has been building cars and engines by throwing shit in a pile and bolting it together since 1925. That Ford GAA in the A3, though, was a masterpiece.

[@jailbreaker1214]

I'm lucky enough to have been to Fort Moore (was Fort Benning) a few years ago to see many shermans they have. I even got to see the M-51 and the Jumbo armed with the 76mm gun. Truly an amazing experience but the experience was outclassed by seeing the T-28 super heavy and the T-30 and T-29.

[@Argentum_Rex]

This had the same energy as Potential History's Meme Tank series. Also, the HOI4 music in the background is.. *chef kiss*

[@budy859]

I don't care for tanks and airplanes are what I enjoy but when I see youer videos I get excited to learn new stuff about tanks :)))). Good job.

[@Silver-Foxxo]

I love the panther that snuck in to the M4A2 segment at 19:25

[@TheRealGamada]

OMFG ! You used the strike force heroes theme at 15:36 ?! I love this game.

[@eta320]

It’s a generic military marching song, called “Jonny Comes Marching Home.” It’s been used in a lot of games/movies.

[@TheRealGamada]

@@eta320 Well, this explain that. Thanks a lot for still answering on old videos ! Your videos are fire btw.

[@AndrewofDoom]

I would love to learn even more about my favorite fast boi tank and its Christie suspension so please do just that.

[@georgelabe-assimo4365]

Been looking for a video like this on the Sherman for a while now. Thanks so much!

[@Gh0stKiller3]

That General Sam clip was perfect! Great video!

[@chasetoyama8184]

1:25 Ironically I have the most fun playing the Sherman in War Thunder (more specifically, the A1 is my favorite). It’s relatively well frontally armored to the point where nothing short of a Dicker Max or a SU-57 can really pen you, but it has no side armor, so you gotta watch your flanks. Its shell is probably the best at that BR, other than like a 155 mm shell from a Swedish Derp Gun. It’s relatively high velocity and the HE filling is great. Turret traverse isn’t bad except for the howitzer variant.

[@bradenhagen7977]

Just watch your rounded front hull. 37s can pen it.

[@RogueSF24]

I love how the beginning had Erika playing. Had to sing it lol.

[@mikemcginley6309]

Very good video. Instead of repeating the same old myths you did some real research..well done

[@OggerGokker]

intro was the perfect length for me to grab some tea (i promise im not british) and some snacks

[@baileybrute5486]

Hope your channel booms, it deserves it

[@The-Devils-Advocate]

It might be beginning to boom

[@dsg256]

The most important thing to remember if you want to get good with the Sherman’s in war thunder is you have to *believe*

[@blockstacker5614]

I had a game a little while ago where I simply could not die. I think it was on single cap Maginot. I went into the clump of buildings where the cap was, killing T-34s along the way. I carried my team by driving around finding and destroying all the enemies that got near the cap. It felt like I killed dozens of T-34s and KV-1s when I was finally swarmed and killed by like 5 Russian tanks working together.

[@eta320]

For those interested in learning more about the British's use of the Sherman, check out this link: www.theshermantank.com/sherman/british-shermans-is-it-a-tank-or-a-teapot/ Thanks again for watching!

[@DeadEndGoose]

Idk if you list the OST, but hearing Brothers in Arms music and watching Sherman footage is goddamn majestic, really weird nostalgia feelings

[@tangydiesel1886]

Part of the popularity of the A2 for the marines, is that the engines shared a lot of parts that the landing craft engines used, as well as the fuel. The army wanted everything that they had, to use gasoline if they could. The marines already using diesel for the landing craft, didn't mind. Also, the 75mm had a better HE round than the 76mm, and since the marines really didn't need the armor piercing power of the 76mm, the 75mm was fine.

[@Basicallybaltic]

I mean when the worst armoured threat you could encounter was something like a Ka-Mi or Ha-Go, you would really feel bad for the poor bastard you obliterate with an even more overkill shell.

[@dontaskmeagain4091]

How did it take me this long to find this video. Funny thing. Am currently researching everything about the 38t for the chassis has been used throughout most of the war with every iteration being not only useful, but sometimes loved for their quality.

[@JVPTH3MVP]

It's worthwhile to go and have a listen tot he different engines as they all have distinct voices. Here's hoping Gaijin eventually gives each engine it's proper sound in WT.

[@Pte.Fletcher]

I'm watching this while doing my own research for a documentary on the Sherman, and I thought I'd mention this because I think you'd find it interesting considering what you said around 34:00. The Canadians turned some of their Grizzly IIs (A licence built varient of the M4A1) into Fireflys. It has the full curvy hull and everything, trust me, I'm not talking about the composite. It was only ever used for training, never seeing combat, so some still exist and you can find pictures online. It has a 3 piece welded transmission case, removed bow-machine gun, and 17 Pounder, but the M4A1s fully cast hull, and standard length hull since it uses the Radial engine, not the multibank. It's honestly becoming one of my favourite tanks. Unfortunately they didn't make any with HVSS suspension from what I can tell. I don't know if that's enough for you to consider it an M4A1 Firefly, but I think so. Also someone else has already commented this, but oh well.

[@eta320]

I was actually aware of the Grizzly Firefly (after the making of this video) and even got the incredible chance to see the last one left in person at the Borden base up in Canada! You can see this yourself in the 4th part of my Canada Vlog series here on the channel

[@Pte.Fletcher]

@@eta320 Ah, I haven't watched the Canada vlogs yet, even though I'm aware of them. I'll watch them later on, but thanks.

[@t.e.sprocketeering]

Also, question for you - Did you discover on your research journey if the A57 Multibank was considered reliable because it effectively had redundancy? I’m sure I once read somewhere that it could still limp the tank along with two of the 5 cylinder banks out of action - that both sounds plausible and like it might just be one of those tank legends…

[@eta320]

Although I’m no mechanic, and I didn’t dive all that deep into the multibank outside of its development history, I have read plenty of accounts that attest specifically to its robustness. I left a bit of a cliff note in the video where I say it was “extremely reliable.” I feel like “reliable” implies it was less likely to break down or have a component fail, but I’ve never read any accounts that praised the engine for this. In fact, the US rejected the multi bank originally due to carburetor access issues and lack of reliable fuel pipes. However, specifically during British trials, the engine was liked because it continued to work under harsh conditions, and generally “refused to die.” I almost see it as the Toyota from Top Gear. They can beat the hell out of it, light it on fire, drown it in the ocean, and drop the damn thing off a collapsing apartment complex, but with a bit of work from a mechanic worth his salt, you can get it to keep chugging. I cannot confirm or deny any legends about 2 cylinder banks failing, but I honestly would believe it. The refusal to die probably does have something to do with the fact that it is just 5 car engine blocks welded together.

[@t.e.sprocketeering]

@@eta320 Thank you for taking the time to give me an in-depth response! It definitely sounds like the constituent car engines were a sturdy and reliable design in and of themselves anyway then. And they benefited from being strapped together by their original manufacturer with a lot of automotive experience already under their belts. The ability to lose a cylinder bank or two is just bonus at that point I guess. Still, I’m inspired by your dedication to the research and it’s something I’m going to hunt down now. Either way, it’s no wonder the Multibank was loved by the British. Strapping multiple inadequate engines together to make a barely adequate one rather than developing a new design is just such a 1930’s British thing to do! It was right at home in the British Army.

[@tacomas9602]

Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s reliability is because of that or because inline 6 engines are generally smooth and tough (many many American 6 cyl gas engines are TOUGH)

[@sebreeves2863]

watched your bfV video earlier today and this one as well when it came up on my recommend.. only at the very end when i checked your channel did i realise they were from the same creator.. absolutely awesome video man deserves so many more views.. i regret being a year late to it!

[@sebastiannyberg9151]

the hoi4 music in the background love it

[@jballew2239]

If you come across a copy of Hunnicutt's "Sherman" book, it has a brief section on a proposal for a Christie suspension Sherman variant. (As well as other oddities).

[@snapdragon6601]

Right at the part when the elf tipps over I had a 5 second YT advertisement for Jack Daniels Old #7 pop up. At first I thought it was part of the video! 😆👍

[@jacobmoore6236]

You’re my hero thank you for making quality content

[@cj360trider]

The best infotainment I've found on the M4 so far

[@Lochagos]

thanks great video, this is why I have been getting so confused

[@darksnakenerdmaster]

That XCOM 2 gripe earned a like and subscribe. I feel you mate.

[@nugs9815]

I’m so glad i found your channel through this, this video is amazing

[@MotivatedVergil111]

I always considered the Standard M4 Sherman to be the first M4, with the M4A1, M4A2. M4A3, and so on, to be different variants of your standard M4. But, you made me see that M4A1 was the original M4.

[@eta320]

To a degree yes! In reality I believe all models of Sherman were at least drawn up around the same time. The reasons for different variants with different motors was for versatility. But the M4 and the M4A1 had the same motor, the only two Sherman variants to share one. But of course the M4 and M4A1 differed in having a welded vs cast hull respectively. This was done to allow the Sherman to be manufactured in factories that had more experience with casting over welding. I reckon the M4 and M4A1 were supposed to be the main Sherman, since the motor they used, the continental radial, was the most abundant for the US in the early war. Even the army treated them as the same tank, since they had identical mechanics. However as the war went on, the M4A3 probably just became the favored variant, and by the end of the war the US will standardize on it. I plan to do way more research into the planning and production of the Sherman so I can really get the timeline right. But yeah, the M4A1 was put into production first.

[@MotivatedVergil111]

@@eta320 I was correct with something for once :D I do get a bit of my info (BUT not all of it) from War Thunder (Other sources are from wikipedia and independent sources)

[@no-legjohnny3691]

As far as the opening segment for "funny ha-ha"s, I have to admit that the Sherman isn't half-bad when you use it to its strengths. Once got like 8 kills within the first five minutes on Sweden against mostly T-34s and KV-1s. Topped out at 12 kills because I ran out of ammo lol.

[@eta320]

I purposely played bad in that intro to get the death footage. America 4.0 Shermans is my favorite tier to play in WT by far.

[@no-legjohnny3691]

@@eta320 Yeah, also, I personally would've classified the 105mm M4 as the gun nut uncle, given the bigger emphasis on guns and experimentation. Plus, I think most American families have someone like that, I know mine does. But yeah, good stuff m8!

[@TheMNrailfan227]

I cannot even begin to describe the pain in that War Thunder section of the intro. I have been killed by T-34s way too many times

[@EzylrybSoren]

i also believe the M4A2 was made for the British as we wanted a desal engine. though i may be wrong on that. the M4A2 was prototyped as a firefly test name M4A2VC but was found that it had stability problems with its narrower tracks and shorter hull also mad storage a problem so the quickly gave up on that idea after 1 ore 2 prototypes before moving onto the M4A4VC firefly.

[@The_US_Doctor]

The M4 Sherman, used by everyone, and modified to hell and back. If you needed a Sherman to do something, you can probably make it work. If any tank wins the title of best workhorse this is it. Side note: I can guess why it never happened, but I feel like the British should’ve just asked for some T23 turrets which would’ve probably worked better than the small turret they had to modify to make work lol.

[@thesirker9527]

Yes a fellow sherman lover!

[@gergelykallai1351]

Great Video! There is evidence of one M4A2 used by the US Army, but it was originally it was used by the British, and they give it to the US Army for some reason. There's a photo series from Belgium in the winter of 44-45, where a stucked white washed M4A3 being pulled out by this M4A2 from a roadside ditch.

[@Tomyironmane]

"Like the Sherman God himself has descended upon me and given me the ten commandments." Well, that's not surprising, the track tensioning device is around the back and easy to use....

[@Soarin-Ancient]

The only M4A3 75 (w) i know that survived the conversation is either in the Pacific Theater or In Philippine Service Post-War

[@JSDFEnthusiast]

*gets the idea to play the sherman in war thunder *this video pops into my recommended conveniently *Shermans' back on the menu boys*

[@TurbotheFurbo]

17:30 that style is known as Streamlining! it was based on locomotives at the time

[@lionelt.9124]

Well, if you're looking a Sherman there's one outside as a memorial in Gurnee Illinois. It's with a couple blocks from Six Flags Great America, just south of Ace Hardware, and just noth of a baseball field. lol I guess it's surrounded by Americana.

[@jomorken4853]

The word you were looking for when describing the shape of the sherman, is Art Deco

[@nickthepinker1742]

One of the best video’s I’ve seen about tanks keep it up eh

[@THESHERMANTANKCHANNEL]

Ive already been researching the sherman for 7 years now and even made some information video's finally telling the truth of how good the sherman exually is

[@bensonfitch6697]

I want to make a piecemeal M4 museum piece that goes against every identification rule here. I just want this to exist. I want there to be a 3-piece transmission and a 76 gun on an M4.

[@camoking5059]

Great video! I would love to see a future video on the super Sherman soon

[@captaindookey]

Ahh such a steep learning curve with this one. Still at the 5.7 lineup.

[@lukeskywalket2894]

Regarding the reliability of the M4A2 (this is just speculation) - the only reason that comes to mind as to why it was referred to as the most reliable is because of the diesel engine. Diesel engines use compression ignition rather than electrical ignition, which (sometimes) means a simpler and/or more reliable design.

[@sierra-pk6ft]

I got to see that specific Sherman in person too!

[@davidsteinberg9523]

You did a very good job covering the World War II Shermans. However, the post war history of Shermans, esp. as they saw service in countries such as Israel, woulld make an excellent companion video. Just a thought, since the Israeli Super Sherman became the penultimate Sherman, packing a 105mm gun (not howitzer.)

[@aceofhearts573]

Uganda had 12 Sherman's and Idi Amin rode in one. I love it.

[@aliciajoseph7821]

The M4 Sherman was a variant of the regular Sherman The Sherman‘s were the second marsh mass produced tank right behind the T 3440 its time it was small and easily destroyed but it was fast and nimble and that’s why I like it

[@cyrushundt1117]

Great video bro I really enjoyed watching and I learned a lot looking forward to more vids. Just an idea, but could you possibly do a video shining a light on some American tank destroyers like the m10 and m18? Thanks for the great video!

[@West_Coast_Mainline]

Heres a guide to the sherman: its decently armored, good speed, cheap enough, they were based, and had many variants, even a 17 pounder

[@IS-2_1944]

This is awesome

[@christianwilson5956]

I always felt that the m4a3 was the most common/default version because nearly ever US display has been an m4a3 75. I believe this was largely due to the 75s being retained in the US for training and then being surplus at the end of the war.

[@thatww2nerd81]

I have a dream of that one day, one of every still existing Sherman variant will all be gathered in one place at the same time, maybe in its birthplace of Aberdeen. But realistically, if a family gathering of this scale were to happen, it probably the Tank Museum that does it.

[@johndworak1035]

@Eta320 A thing about multifuel engines, yes they can run on gasoline, but it was supposed to only be in an emergency. And it cant run off gasoline alone, clean engine oil has to be added to the fuel. Diesel engines use diesel as lubricant, and gasoline is not lubricating.

[@PsychicalTraumaPL]

Wow, that's actually something that I was looking up for some time! But, I have another piece to the puzzle. As You said, M4 was only produced with 1 piece transmission case. But the one shown on the Chieftain piece of talking about the tank itself, and on quite a few photos made of M4, they all have 3 piece case... What the heck? 🤔