Variants of the "Sherman"

I'm always confusing because of the many Sherman' variants. Suppose, this article will help a bit to find out which variant of the Sherman is
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/vocabulary/vocabulary.html

Sherman vocabulary
1) Design of the hull
2) Angle of the front glacis
3) Dry and wet stowage

The M4 Sherman tank is well-known because it was built in large numbers (there were nearly 50,000 units built), but it is also a tank well know for having been built in several versions.
To recognize a Sherman version from another one, a specific vocabulary is used, which I'll try to explain on this page.


1) Design of the hull
There are 3 main designs for the hull :
-Welded : several armor plates are welded together
-Cast : a one-piece hull made in a mold, using a casting process
-Composite or Hybrid : cast front hull section mated to a welded rear hull

The welded hull can be recognized thanks to its angular silhouette.


The cast hull can be recognized thanks to its curved silhouette.


The composite or hybrid hull can be recognized thanks to its curved front and angular rear, seperated with a weld (shown in orange).

One of my uncles that served during WWII in Italy and France always named the Sherman models by their engine manufacturer because of the sound difference of the engine types.

Wright R-975 Whirlwind...   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_R-975

Ford GAA engine...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_GAA_engine

Chrysler A57 multibank...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_A57_multibank

General Motors 6004/6046 engine...  http://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/General%20Motors/detroit-diesel.htm

T34 Sherman Calliope


It is the most incredible US tank. It has unusual name "T34"!? and activity - rocket launcher.
Do we've such unit in SF?

I think the common name for that Sherman was the Sherman Calliope, but as you say, interesting that its official designation was the same as a certain more famous piece of kit! The 'T' prefix I think indicated test or trials kit.  The British version was the Tulip, so called because the air-launched rockets used looked like that flower. Robert Bowscawen in 'Armoured Guardsmen' mentions their use, and this picture is in his book and shows his unit's Shermans with them fitted, in front line service. IIRC he also mentions a 4-rocket fitting.

Sherman M4A2(76)W spring 1945

STA mod has only version M4A3(76)W for both USA and RKKA. M4A2(76)W RKKA had a diesel engine only. The name was "EMCHA".

Inside the Easy Eight Sherman Tank