Inside the Easy Eight Sherman Tank

The M4 Sherman was the second most mass-produced tank in history. Its robust and easy-to-maintain construction made the Sherman the main "workhorse" of the US Armed Forces in WW2 and many US allies all around the world for several decades afterwards. We show you the M4A3(76)W HVSS a.k.a. the M4A3E8 variant of the Sherman, or Easy Eight as it was usually called. This model of Sherman tank participated in the battles of 1944-45 in Europe, in the Korean War and even saw action in Vietnam.
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00:00 Introduction
01:14 Crew
01:31 Dimensions and weight
03:30 Hull
05:32 Turret
07:47 Engine
09:08 Fuel system
09:26 Powertrain
10:28 Driver’s controls
11:32 Start up
12:22 Suspension and running gear
13:58 Armament
15:34 ‘Wet’ main ammunition stowage
16:16 Direct fire
17:15 Fire control and vision
17:55 Conclusion
Corrections:
02:50 Should be 60% or 30 degrees
Blue Paw Print uses the Unreal® Engine. Unreal® is a trademark or registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. Unreal® Engine, Copyright 1998 - 2024, Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved.

[@BluePawPrint]

Correction 02:50 Should be 30 degree or 60%. Thanks for watching. This one was a ton of work. Please, like and subscribe and let us know where else we got it wrong. Thanks !

[@CHEESELANDEMPEROR]

No problem

[@user-ys5rd6fs4m]

FIRST1

[@pyeitme508]

Wow

[@intellicadee]

Yarnhub

[@Rafale_M]

Thanks for posting this video

[@ColetteHart]

A lot of channels speak about stuff like armor thickness or engine horsepower, but showing things like how the vehicle is operated from the inside and the tiny little details on every component puts this channel on a whole other level. Great stuff!

[@rickmorren7524]

agree

[@justinhealey2408]

I'd say we all do❤

[@combathistoryoverloaded6738]

if you appreciate those sort of details i definitely recommend inside the chieftans hatch series

[@ColetteHart]

@@combathistoryoverloaded6738 Great suggestion. I'm already subscribed :)

[@CyberMonkey03]

Subbed for that

[@danilocalic797]

This has to be the best tech breakdown / explainer channel currently on KZbin.

[@burtvhulberthyhbn7583]

I concur %100.

[@irrelevant9023]

Nah

[@donaldelfreth553]

​@@burtvhulberthyhbn7583Me too

[@skrettsnerk508]

Definitely *one* of the best. This one and Animagraffs are my favorites at least.

[@TheFunkhouser]

Agree!!

[@adirondacker007]

Hi! I'm a volunteer docent and mechanic at The American Heritage Museum. I am occasionally asked by guests for sources of additional information on exhibits like our very "colorful" Easy 8. This channel is now on my list! Thank you for your hard work!

[@cheeseninja1115]

just looked it up. calling that Easy 8 colorful was the understatement of the century. That thing looks like a work of art!

[@rle1111]

I went to the American heritage museum and drove the Sherman 2 years ago! That’s the same tank that was featured in the James garner film! Worth every penny!

[@adirondacker007]

​@@cheeseninja1115 thank you! One of our volunteers devoted about 9 months in accurately matching it with a set of photos.

[@adirondacker007]

​@@rle1111I was at the museum on Saturday. Liberty is out of its hibernation in the hangar. We've had the restoration shop tied up with work on the M-24 and M-36 all winter.

[@evilengine9]

Fury

[@Train115]

Oh my god, a 3D combat vehicle video that isn't using an AI script and voice. Thank you so much.

[@ironseabeelost1140]

You should get a heart for that. I move on in the first few seconds when I hear that.

[@andrewholdaway813]

Maybe not the voice, but the script?

[@Train115]

@@ironseabeelost1140 There was a heart, but I edited the comment.

[@Train115]

@@andrewholdaway813 Script seemed like it was just human error.

[@andrewholdaway813]

@@Train115 You mean the 60° error, who knows. It made its way into the graphic; which tells me that who or whatever created the script thought it was correct, pointing to a serious lack of knowledge on the subject (tanks).

[@Jukkaimaru]

The only things I'd really note are: 400 yards to pen a Tiger I with HVAP is a bit conservative; the M93 round can get through 135mm of 30 degree sloped RHA at a full kilometer. A Tiger's upper front would be easily penetrated at that range. Also, it's worth mentioning that a lot of Easy Eights got the M1A2 variant of the 76mm; the dimensions were the same as the M1A1 but it had a faster rifling twist of 1 turn in 32 calibers instead of 1 in 40. This gave it a noticeably better velocity retention at longer ranges when using the M62A1 shells. Regardless, this is a beautiful video with tons of excellent information. Props to all of y'all!

[@aleksazunjic9672]

It is probably against Panther, by the time E8 came into action Tiger I has practically disappeared .

[@russellborn515]

Also the HVAP round was only available in any quantity for the last couple months of the war. I believe the issue was that tungsten was hard to come by and other uses had priority. The E8 squared off against the T34/85 in Korea and by all accounts acquitted itself well. Being considerably lighter than the Pershing and Patton it had better mobility on Korea's rough terrain.

[@anunknownperson7502]

Also correct me if I’m wrong but the reason for the mg on the top was primarily added for anti air purposes, but could technically be used for anti ground forces as mentioned in the video.

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

The pintel mounted 12.7mm M2HB was intended for AA use, but could be employed in an ground role if fired by tank riding infantry.

[@viceralman8450]

@@aleksazunjic9672 The regular 76mm APCBC could penetrate Panther turret from about 900 meters.

[@igorkratka]

Amazing presentation. One short 3D cutaway footage of a Sherman is more revealing than reading 2 books.

[@mbogucki1]

As a Canadian I really appreciate the inclusion of Metric. Thank you.

[@joeh2236]

I've seen other videos breaking down tanks/vehicles. This is by far the best, hell, others don't even compare! It's like Blue Paw gave a damn while making this! Love it!

[@LaSegundaGM]

I have never seen such a clear and detailed explanation of a WW2 weapon. Congratulations, this is fantastic work. I will recommend the channel to those who follow my podcast.

[@BluePawPrint]

Thanks ! More to come

[@felipecasanueva5064]

Proud chilean here 🇨🇱🇨🇱 I had no idea our army used sherman tanks. That really impressed me

[@81brassglass79]

Thanks bud. The three quick strokes got her going 👍

[@user-xy9ix8jm1k]

The quality of visual representation and the accuracy of the information is truly unbelievable and designed and executed so well! Amazing!

[@GJones462-2W1]

I am a detail junkie, from the gargantuan to the minuscule, this channel has it! Fantastic effort, and research done on this project, and it shows. You've won yourself yet another subscriber!

[@stupidweasels1575]

I always loved cutaway books as a kid and this feels like a spiritual successor for the video medium. I love being able to see this 360 degree view for the different parts.

[@urshulgi666]

The .50 cal was primarily for use by dismounted infantry the tank was supporting. It was great for taking out lighter vehicles or engaging enemy infantry fighting positions without wasting a 76mm round. The height of the Sherman made the .50 cal particularly useful because the person operating it had a very good view of the battlefield and had heavy cover from the turret in front of them. It could also traverse extremely fast to engage targets moving quickly. The two .30 cal machine guns were sort of inconvenient to use because the gunners could barely see anything, and the turret could not traverse fast enough to keep up with infantry guys trying to dodge it. In tank vs tank battles, the infantry would dismount, obviously.

[@ThorandSharon]

Great explanation and visual display of the M4A3E8 Sherman Tank!

[@ScoutSniper3124]

When I served with the USMC. Prepositioning Ships in Saipan in the 90's, I was very impressed with the M4 Shermans that had been knocked out in the surf zone before getting to the beach. They were encrusted with marine life everywhere except the large weld joints which remains sparkling like new. I have come to find out this was due to the nickel metal in the welds. Very impressive to stay intact and shiny in that environment for over 50 years.

[@TheSaturnV]

Fantastic job here. I know the M4 family very well and you've obviously put substantial research into this effort.

[@aidilaiman4321]

notice how the turret rotation time is proportional to the video, nice detail!! 7:30

[@Kethploy]

As a 3D modeller this video really helps me !

[@LS-uv9gg]

What an awesome visual and informative video this was! Really enjoyed every minute, cheers man!

[@twitchyflash333]

The U.S.A found that the wet ammo storage wasn't the main contributing factor to less cook offs/fires. Previously, ammo was stored in the sponsons (side walls of the tank) which was susceptible to enemy fire. When moving ammo to the hull floor, the cartridges were less likely to be hit and therefore made the tank more survivable. So it wasn't the fact that ammo was surrounded by water, but simply the ammo wasn't hit in the first place.

[@frostedbutts4340]

Yeah it's possible that the wetting helped, but the fact it was dropped on all future tanks says it wasn't worth the space or effort.

[@carloperedo4443]

I absolutely love how you put so much attention to detail amazing video as always David!

[@billyponsonby]

Remarkable piece of work

[@LanielPhoto]

Very well put together and animated. Greatly appreciated. A big thank you!

[@hotwind95]

Fantastic explanation. I have never wanted a tank for my daily commune more than right after watching this.

[@roganantonydcruz107]

Excellent graphics with detailed description

[@boxerjoe1314]

These cutaway videos showing how they function are excellent, good job.

[@hbphillie8139]

Agree with previous comments ... one of the best M4 breakdowns I've seen. Wonderful animation.

[@jorgedalbon693]

Excellent and very illustrative this video. CLarified me a lot of doubts. Thanks many thanks

[@Drelam]

This was really well done, as said you adding little details like exactly how to start the tank and the gunners controls adds a lot more to this type of video.

[@grantgarrod2232]

My Grandfather was a Sherman driver with the 3rd AD, all through France, Belgium, into Germany, & back through Belgium during the Bulge. I've viewed many schematics of the different Sheman models, but this video is the hands-down best I've ever seen, outstanding job sir! I'd love to see another on the M24 Chaffee tank, the best light tank of WWII.

[@cwbristow]

I love these videos... I share them with my father, brother, and the guys as soon as they are posted. Keep em coming.

[@luvtruckin]

Your channel is so cool please keep making them. As a ww2 buff these show things I’ve never seen before it add so much to history

[@brandonm1881]

This was a beautiful breakdown of a beautiful piece of machinery, history, and art of a tank.

[@ivanalbarracin1149]

Que gran video, el primero que vi fue el del corsair y es el mejor que he visto, luego me vi los demas en el canal, muchas gracias por el tiempo y la dedicacion para hacer estos videos y tambien gracias por agregar audio en español, hablo ingles muy poco pero tener el audio en español es muy gratificante, gracias

[@Love_The_Pear_Twins]

wow, what a comprehensive video. As being a tank nerd, I am thrilled to bits when watching the video. thanks a lot for the splendid and detailed video.

[@WildBillCox13]

Excellent content. It fills data gaps that other creators leave in their haste to complete the overview- like effective horsepower versus the engine rating. Liked and shared.

[@dragxter5688]

Loved the amazing explanation and presentation, the best of all i've ever saw, keep up with the great work mate 😼🤝 rly excited for more videos like this to come

[@riverbluevert7814]

To all Sherman tank detractors: IGNORE THIS VIDEO. BLOCK IT OUT OF YOUR MIND. 😃 You must continue to assume the German tanks of 1944 were being used in 1940. And you must continue to assume the first Sherman tank delivered to the British in 1942 was the same design used until the end of the war. AND DO NOT learn that Rommel's glorious drive against the British towards Dunkirk in 1940 was comprised entirely of CAPTURED YUGOSLAVIAN TANKS with riveted construction. 😃

[@davidhajek2494]

Excellent video, the computer recreation of the components is really incredible and makes it very easy to follow and understand...Nice job !

[@ColGuidotti]

I loved that you named this one Jenny! Not many people know of the Battle of Castle Itter

[@huibertlandzaat1889]

Nice video. Perfect explinaton. Thank you for uploading.

[@MeshFrequency]

So much work went in to this! Great stuff. Subed

[@edwardturner1282]

Outstanding illustration. Had to subscribe. I love this kind of presentation.

[@TheSmashBoxGaming]

This is a awesome video and I learned a few new things about the Sherman from this video. Great job guys.

[@VulcanGunner]

Thanks for the professional presentation.

[@paraguard60]

That was brilliant! Thanks for all the hard work in making this video.

[@GertTheFrog]

very cool to see an in depth video about my favorite tank.

[@caseybanter5751]

Amazing video! Love your work. Keep em coming!

[@9KingP]

Beautifully animated with great narration. I'm planning to draw this majestic beast for something special. Your video gives me lots of confidence to do it right. You have my sub, keep it up!

[@billbadger3127]

Well done, great detail and presentation

[@nonzerosum-my3hx]

Brilliant video. Very nice graphics. Totally thumbed up.

[@IHUTCHI]

Fantastic video! Thanks for all your hard work!

[@311Bob]

Amazing graphics well done!

[@panzerjagertigerporsche]

0:59 you mention the movie Fury and the tank in it being a M4A3E8 when in actuality the tank was a M4A2E8 as stated by the Bovington Tank Museum, the actual owners of the Fury tank. The A2 designation means that the tank was fitted with a GM 6046 12-cylinder twin in-line engine.

[@autistic_m4a3_76w_hvss]

The M4A2E8 designation was never put on a tank as it didn't have to go through Trials. Instead it got the standard production Designation M4A2 (76)W HVSS The M4A1 (76)W HVSS has the same story The M4A3E8 designation is also wrong to some extent. Only about 10 M4A3s ever got the M4A3E8 designation. the Rest got the standard product designation M4A3 (76)W HVSS. All M4A3E8s were redesigned to M4A3 (76)W HVSS. I know this is my Autism talking, and you can make the Argument that It's easier to say M4A3E8 instead of M4A3 (76)W HVSS, but just because something is easier to say, doesn't mean it's correct.

[@panzerjagertigerporsche]

@@autistic_m4a3_76w_hvss ok, I just assumed that that is what the M4A2 76W would've also been called seeing that the M4A3E8 was used for some of the M4A3 76W, you can partially blame World of Tanks for the misconception

[@autistic_m4a3_76w_hvss]

@panzerjagertigerporsche I more blame Modelling Companies. They're the ones who come up with most false Tank Designations. For example. -The Nickname Jumbo (was never used) -M60 PATTON (M60s never carried the Patton nickname despite looking similar to the M48 Patton -Jagdpanzer 38(t) "Hetzer" (The "t" was never present in the Designation and Hetzer was never used in the field, most likely being a Post war name) -T95 (Yes, the T95 was used on the Tank, but that Designation implies that the Tank was a Gun Motor Carriage, which it's not, it's a super heavy, thus implying that the Official Designation is T28) WoT was probably just the one to spread it the furthest, but what they did start (and WT is also guilty of this) is spreading the myth that the T28 is just a T95 but with the outer tracks removed. You can probably see the problem with that.

[@lonzo61]

Just incredible vid. Well done!

[@ArturoEspinosaAldama]

OMG, this video is soooo beautiful! Totally liked and subscribed.

[@johnsmith9161]

Well Done very engaging and interesting you have found your calling keep it up you really are very very good at what you do.

[@1funkyangel]

A Most excellent video ! It answered a lot of questions I had about this tank ! 🤔

[@jetsons101]

This video was a tribute to the Greatest Generation, thanks..........

[@mrc4910]

VERY well done! The best I’ve ever seen.

[@jamesphilip6737]

Outstanding. Can't wait for more. Subscribed.

[@ClimateScepticSceptic-ub2rg]

Great video. Keep them coming: best of their kind.

[@ragnar_shortz]

His voice is adding so much to the videos. Very good! 👍

[@philgiglio7922]

Better than the AI voice that consistently mispronounced easy words

[@kyowamushi5119]

This is the same voice in yarn hub right?

[@ragnar_shortz]

@@kyowamushi5119 i think so. Always thought the same thing watching yarnhub xd

[@notasoviett34trustme]

@@kyowamushi5119 it feels like its the voice of yarnhub

[@tacomas9602]

@@notasoviett34trustmeit is for sure.

[@CrazyWelshy]

I love tanks, engineering and hate war. Thank you for providing a good insight into one of the best tanks in the war, both in terms or firepower, armour, but also the ancillary items like vision, machine guns and ammo stowage. These items more often than not, make up the survivability and everyday life of a tank compared to one or two battles it may ever live to see and fight.

[@kevint6672]

Nice job. Very informative of a vital pcs of infantry in 2 wars. Thank you

[@rodripilgrim]

I congratulate you on your content, really very educational, I love being able to even the smallest detail of how each thing works and what a great level of animation, keep it up! Greetings from Chile

[@kevinmoorejr.9418]

Awesome videos! thanks for making these

[@Basicallybaltic]

14:58 I do believe the M93 was more than capable of penetrating the upper front plate of the Tiger at well beyond 400 yards. The penetration tables show the shell could penetrate up to 7.4 inches or 18.8cm at 500 yards. The Tiger had just above 4 inches of frontal armour, and the M93 could penetrate 4.5 inches at 2000 yards, so the engagement range was not limited to medium quarters in any way.

[@Mst-bh9ti]

Nice fantasy. Any credible accounts of said Shermans taking out a Tiger (not a Pnzkw IV mistaken for a Tiger) at say 1000 yds? Here endeth the lesson.

[@Basicallybaltic]

@@Mst-bh9ti I was talking from a theoretical perspective, and I think you knew that. It is not like Nazi-Germany had any Tigers left by the battle of the Bulge anyways. Also if you look at the M93 HVAP-T performance statistics I mentioned I was correct. Also I will try to get back to you with an example of a 76mm gun M1 Sherman taking out a Tiger, but I do not know if I will find it.

[@Basicallybaltic]

@@Mst-bh9ti Also why would you engage from 1000 yards if you did not have to? Imagine you are in a Sherman and suddenly spot a Tiger out far, about 1000 yards you think. It seems to not know of your position, so what do you do? Well if you want the highest probability of kill you want to get closed, and on the flank. This is what the Shermans did in their Platoons of 5, which granted them a higher kill to death ratio against Panzers like the Panther. I do not know if the Tiger took out more Shermans than it was taken out by, though I would assume it did. Then again near the end of the war there were at least 25 Shermans to every single Tiger, and the Sherman proved to be the better tank to win the war. As well unlike the Tiger it was actually frequently used for infantry support instead of an exposed and vulnerable “tank hunter”. So the Tiger really was barely superior even in tank-on-tank combat.

[@Mst-bh9ti]

You basically avoided, or were unable to answer my question. Again, here endeth the lesson

[@Mst-bh9ti]

@@Basicallybaltic your just living in some bizarre fantasy land.

[@jeremymacdonald2073]

when i was young, i grew up in Chilliwack b.c. there was a Sherman tank on display at the remembrance day memorial. i squeezed in the bars, where they took the motor out. the machine gun handle was still there and moved. it was incredible going inside.

[@rafvanraevels]

Congratulations with these beautiful, entertaining and educational films!

[@JoseLopez-vt8kd]

Excelente descripción de éste histórico vehículo. Muchas gracias.

[@AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREAL]

The voice of yarnhub is soothing

[@erratic1444]

Great content as always!

[@tony-gy2bq]

This is one of best tank videos i've seen.

[@oxygendepleter]

Beautiful video about the M4A3E8 sherman, are you also the narrator for yarnhub videos?

[@BluePawPrint]

Yes I am

[@Jannnn_]

this is literally one of my favourite channels rn

[@alexandrepimentel4540]

Congratulations! Excellent job!

[@12345682900]

AWESOME video, thanks!

[@thatawkardfeeling9076]

Having the most relaxing music while talking about a W.O.W. (Weapon Of War) goes really hard ngl.

[@coops1964]

Brilliant video, well done. Ive subscribed.

[@MartinMcAvoy]

Amazing work! Thanks very much!!

[@user-qv6bx1nd5e]

Maravillosa producción. Felicidades!!!!

[@TaborPrzemyslaw]

Incredibly good presentation. Thanks. Subscribed with a "bell"

[@jonathanbaron-crangle5093]

Really good presentation & animation/artwork

[@gregoryschmitz2131]

Great work, it gets into all the in depth details a mechanical type could want. One aspect needing a bit of change. The GAA8 engine was intended as an Aircraft engine. Ergo, the aluminum block and heads, it was not designed for the Sherman . The war effort did not need any more liquid cooled V-12s, but they needed a more powerful tank engine and it was changed to a V-8. So the light weight was a result off of being an Aircraft engine design originally.

[@rael5469]

This is an amazing video. Truly amazing.

[@mrmathh3680]

Cant wait for this guy to start covering the more overengineered german tanks of ww2 like the tigers, panther and jagdtiger Keep up the amazing content mate

[@juanperezmortara1274]

Me encanta... Buen trabajo Ojalá que hagas más de equipos y máquinas de leyenda

[@foreverpinkf.7603]

Very well done, thanks.

[@NoBucks777]

Thanks for the great video!!

[@ed_1092]

This was absolutely well done!!! Subscribed :)

[@Nobody_896]

Brilliant, thankyou, that was really good😀👍cheers mate.

[@philo6850]

Just discovered your channel this morning and it's awesome! Your animations give a clear understanding of the complexity of these weapons and how they operated. Your channel title is what really caught my attention, we have a nine month old husky puppy with beautiful arctic blue eyes, and appropriately her name is Blue. Thank you for the videos! 👍

[@ASLAcademy]

Amazing video! One of my favorite WW2 AFVs.

[@skeeterd5150]

Sounded like it hurt you to say aluminum like the Americans. I know you wanted to say aluminium

[@Sapphire_North]

😂

[@clickbaitcharlie2329]

A rediculous example of doubling down....aluminum🙄 ​@@Sapphire_North

[@TheAliking14]

Your videos are excellent! Please keep them up.

[@user-sk7ss5zq8i]

Perfect video!