The M4 Sherman medium tank was regarded by many as the workhorse of the US Army during World War II. In fact, virtually all of the Allied armies employed the Sherman in their armed forces, including the British, who developed an upgunned variant called the "Firefly". Eleven different US plants manufactured six basic models of the Sherman, and by June 1944 over 49,234 battle-ready vehicles had been produced. While it was no match for the German Panther or Tiger tanks, the Sherman soldiered on, using its weight in numbers to wrest control of Europe from the Wehrmacht.

The Sherman M4A4 was produced by Detroit Arsenal and all vehicles had a three-piece bolted nose. It was powered by a Chrysler WC Multibank engine, which required the lengthening of the rear hull to accommodate it. Many M4A4 Shermans were delivered to the British, where it was referred to as the Sherman Mk.V. Dragon Armor proudly offers a Sherman Mk.V of the famous Coldstream Guards of the British Army. This is no ordinary Mk.V, for it possesses some fascinating appendages on the turret!

The model is armed with twin launchers for 60lb aircraft rockets. This type of Sherman V was modified in the field by the Coldstream Guards Armoured Division in late 1944. The rockets were taken from Typhoon fighters, and rocket-equipped Shermans were used in combat during the Rhine crossings. They achieved success against targets like roadblocks and enemy personnel sheltering in buildings and woods, plus they also gave a huge morale boost to British troops! The rocket and launcher details on this new Dragon Armor model are subtle and accurate, as are all the details of this 1/72 scale Sherman Mk.V model of a vehicle of the 1st Armoured Battalion of this famous division fighting in Germany in 1945. The paint finish on this replica is exemplary, as it accurately captures the British bronze green color used at this period of the war. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-1/4-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: September 2007

Historical Account: "New Model Army" - Her Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards, is a regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division or Household Division.

It is the oldest regiment in the Army in continuous active service, originating in Coldstream on the Scottish border in 1650 when General George Monck founded the regiment. It is one of two regiments of the Household Division that can trace its lineage to the New Model Army, the other being the Blues and Royals.

When the Second World War began, the 1st and 3rd battalions of the Coldstream Guards were part of the British Expeditionary Force in France. They also formed additional 4th and 5th battalions for the duration of the war. They fought extensively in North Africa and Europe as dismounted infantry and the 1st battalion in the Guards Armoured Division. The 4th battalion first became a motorized battalion in 1940 and then an armoured battalion in 1943. The 4th and 5th served as part of the Guards Armoured Division. 6th battalion was also formed in 1941 but was disbanded in 1943 without seeing any action.

Coldstreamers gave up their tanks at the end of the war, the new battalions were disbanded and the troops distributed to the 1st and 2nd Guard Training Battalions.