By all accounts, the M4 Sherman medium tank was regarded 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 M4A3 was fitted with a long-barrel M1A1 76mm gun, which replaced the shorter and less effective 75mm gun, and sported a larger, more angular turret to house the bigger gun. In addition, the slope of the M4A3's frontal armor was changed to 47-degrees to increase frontal protection and simplify the production process.

Now The Motor Pool is proud to offer this stunning 1:35 scale diecast replica of a US M4A3 Sherman medium tank attached to the 2nd Armored Division ("Hell on Wheels"). This particular tank has been 'muddied' to give it a more weathered appearance and is painted in a fabulous two-tone camouflage pattern. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 8 inches
Width: 3 inches
Height: 3.25 inches

Historical Account: "Hell on Wheels" - Elements of the Division first saw action in North Africa, landing at Casablanca on November 8th 1942. It later took part in the fighting at Beja, Tunisia, but the Division as a whole did not enter combat until the invasion of Sicily, when it made an assault landing at Gela, on July 10th 1943. Next, the Division saw action at Butera, Campobello, and Palermo. After the Sicilian campaign, the Division trained in England for the cross-Channel invasion, landed in Normandy on D plus 3, and went into action in the vicinity of Carentan.

The Division raced across France in July and August, drove through Belgium and attacked across the Albert Canal on September 13th, 1944. It crossed the German border at Schimmert on September 18th, and took up defensive positions near Geilenkirchen. On October 3rd, the Division launched an attack on the Siegfried Line from Marienberg. After it broke through, it then crossed the Wurm River and seized Puffendorf on November 16th and Barmen on November 28th. The Division was holding positions on the Roer when it was ordered to help contain the German Ardennes offensive in the middle of December.

The Division fought in eastern Belgium, blunting the German Fifth Panzer Army's penetration of American lines. The Division helped reduce the Bulge in January, fighting in the Ardennes forest in deep snow, and cleared the area from Houffalize to the Ourthe River of the enemy. After a rest in February, the Division drove on across the Rhine on March 27th, and was the first American Division to reach the Elbe at Schonebeck on April 11th and was subsequently halted on orders from GHQ nine days later. In July, the Division entered Berlin -- the first American unit to enter the German capital city.