In early 1944, the United States Army decided that they needed an up-armored version of a medium tank for an assault role for the upcoming operations in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO). However, they had rejected previous plans for such a vehicle, and time was short. As the new T26E1 would not be ready in time and previous designs had been totally unsuitable for the task, the decision was made to modify the standard US Army medium tank of the time, the M4A3 Sherman.

The vehicle became the M4A3E2 assault tank or Sherman Jumbo. With only 254 built, it represented less than 1% of the total build numbers for the M4. However, it's iconic profile left a lasting image that is probably one of the most easily recognized M4 variants. It should be noted at this point that the name 'Jumbo' doesn't appear in any wartime documentation and is almost certainly a post-war nickname, quite possibly created by a model company.

The first vehicles arrived in the New York port on August 14th, 1944. On the 29th, the 12th Army Group was informed by the War Dept that 250 M4A3E2 Assault tanks had been released and would be in the ETO in September. On September 1st, the 3rd Armored Division put in a request for 150 M4A3E2s from 12th Army Group. The first 128 Jumbos arrived in France via Cherbourg on the September 22nd, 1944.

Full records of exactly how the Jumbos were issued are difficult to identify as the tank were often only recorded as 'Medium Tank M4A3' with no distinction between a standard M4A3 and an M4A3E2. But partial records have been traced although some do seem to conflict. The first thirty six tanks were issued to the US First Army on October 14th and were then issued to individual tank battalions. Fifteen to the 743rd, fifteen to the 745th and six to the 746th. On October 18th, Normandy beach depots recorded having seventeen on hand, twenty four released to Armies and nineteen on route to Third Army.

This particular 1:32 scale diecast replica of a US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo assault tank that was commanded by Lieutenant Charles Boggess, and nicknamed "Cobra King", which was attached to C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, then breaking the cordon around Bastogne, Belgium, on December 26th, 1944. Comes with bonus Ford GAA V-8 engine. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 7-1/2-inches
Width: 3-1/2-inches

Release Date: February 2023

After capturing Chaumont, the two commanders initially planned to attack the town of Sibret, but because it was so heavily defended, they instead chose to assault the nearby village of Assenois, which was located on a secondary road but still provided access to Bastogne. With artillery firing in support, the leading element of CCR, comprised of three Shermans followed by a halftrack full of infantry, then two more Shermans, stormed the village. Abrams' tanks blasted their way through the obstacles, while dismounted infantry mopped up the remaining strongpoints. After eliminating several enemy soldiers laying Teller mines along the road, Abrams command linked up with elements of the 101st at 1700 hours. The siege had been lifted and with it came the collapse of Hitler's "Wacht am Rhein" operation.