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.

Early Shermans mounted a 75mm medium-velocity general-purpose gun. Later M4A1, M4A2, and M4A3 models received the larger T23 turret with a high-velocity 76mm gun M1, which traded reduced HE and smoke performance for improved anti-tank performance. The British offered the QF 17 pounder (76.2 mm) anti-tank gun with its significant armour penetration but a significant initial (later rectified) HE shortcoming to the Americans but the US Ordnance Department was working on a 90mm tank gun and declined. Later M4 and M4A3 were factory-produced with a 105mm howitzer and a new distinctive mantlet in the original turret. The first standard-production 76mm-gun Sherman was an M4A1 accepted in January 1944 and the first standard-production 105mm-howitzer Sherman was an M4 accepted in February 1944.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US M4 Sherman medium tank that was commanded by Creighton Abrams, who was assigned to the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, then deployed to Brittany, France, during 1944. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: October 2008

Historical Account: "Kilroy Wuz Here" - The 37th Tank Battalion had cartoons and names painted on the hull sides of most of their tanks and "Thunderbolt" was Creighton Abrams' first Sherman. Abrams would go on to become US Army Chief of Staff during the Vietnam War. The new M1 tank now in service is named after him. This Sherman carries the usual star insignia on the hull sides and turret roof, with blue drab serial numbers toward the rear of the hull sides. The rear deck carries a fluorescent air identification panel in electric yellow backed with white.