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 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.

This particular 1:32 scale diecast replica of the famed US M4A3 Sherman medium tank was attached to the 3rd Armored Division, then deployed to Normandy, France in 1944. Comes with sandbags affixed to the front of the vehicle and several soldiers that can ride atop the tank. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 7-1/2-inches
Width: 3-1/2-inches
Height: 3-3/4-inches

Release Date: May 2006

Historical Account: "Spearhead" - The 3rd Armored Division landed in Normandy and entered combat on June 29th, 1944, taking part in the hedgerow fighting. The Division broke out at Marigny and, with the 1st Infantry Division, swung south to Mayenne in a general exploitation of the St. Lo breakthrough. In August 1944, the Division participated in the heavy fighting involved in closing the Falaise Gap, pocketing the German Seventh Army. Six days later, the Division had cut across the Seine River, and was streaking through Meaux, Soissons, Laon, Mons, Namur, and Liege. Liege fell on September 8th and Eupen on the 11th. The Division breached the Siegfried Line with the capture of Rotgen on September 12th, and continued a slow advance against heavy resistance, to the vicinity of Langerwehe. When the Battle of the Bulge broke out, the Division was shifted to Houffalize, Belgium, where it severed a vital highway leading to St. Vith. In January, it participated in the reduction of the German salient west of Houffalize. After a brief rest, the Division returned to the front, crossed the Roer River - into Duren, broke out of the Duren bridgehead, and drove on to capture Cologne on March 6th 1945. The Division swept on to Paderborn, assisted in mopping up the Ruhr pocket, crossed the Saale River, and after overcoming stiff resistance took Dessau on April 23rd, 1945.