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 (76mm) was a highly improved variant of the Sherman with production numbers of 1,400. Built by Detroit Arsenal and Grand Blanc, the M4A3 (76mm) had improved armor protection, as well as greater firepower, thanks to its' high velocity 76mm main gun.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of an US M4A3 Sherman medium tank was commanded by Creighton Abrams and nicknamed "Thunderbolt VII", which was attached to the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, then deployed to Germany during 1945. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: April 2023

Historical Account: "Colonel Abe" - During World War II, Abrams served in the 4th Armored Division, initially as regimental adjutant (June 1941-June 1942), battalion commander (July 1942-March 1943), and regiment executive officer (March-September 1943) with the 37th Armor Regiment. In September 1943, a reorganization of the division re-designated the 37th Armor Regiment as the 37th Tank Battalion, which Abrams commanded; he also commanded Combat Command B of the division during the Battle of the Bulge.

During this time, Abrams was promoted to the temporary ranks of major (February 1942), lieutenant colonel (September 1942), and colonel (April 1945). Abrams was promoted to lieutenant colonel eleven days before his 28th birthday.

During much of this time, the 4th Armored Division (led by the 37th Tank Battalion) was the spearhead for General George S. Patton's Third Army, and he was consequently well known as an aggressive armor commander. By using his qualities as a leader and by consistently exploiting the relatively small advantages of speed and reliability of his vehicles, he managed to defeat German forces that had the advantage of superior armor and superior guns. He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism, on September 20th and December 26th, 1944. General George Patton said of him: "I'm supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer - Abe Abrams. He's the world champion." Frequently the spearhead of the Third Army during World War II, Abrams was one of the leaders in the relief effort that broke up the German entrenchments surrounding Bastogne and the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. In April 1945, he was promoted to (temporary) colonel but reverted to lieutenant colonel during the post-war demobilization. On April 23rd, 1945, Will Lang Jr. wrote a biography of Abrams called "Colonel Abe" for Life.