The M4A3E8 is one of the most mass-produced modifications of the main U.S. armored vehicle of the World War II period. The tank featured the welded hull and Ford GAA carburetor engine. A total of 11,424 vehicles with the improved HVSS suspension were produced by Fisher Tank Arsenal and Detroit Tank Arsenal from June 1942 through March 1945. The vehicle is also known as M4A3(76)W. It took part in many after-war conflicts up to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

Nicknamed as the "Easy-Eight" or "E8", this tank is a quicker, slightly better armored version of the M4 Sherman. It also has an upgraded 76mm gun with an improved rate of fire and better accuracy. Considering all this, the M1A2 should not be overlooked on the upgrade path in comparison to the M1A1 as it really brings out the E8's strengths. Despite the increased armor compared to the M4 Sherman however, the E8 is still a very soft target and will be easily destroyed if it stays exposed to enemy fire. In addition it's twin, the M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo has thicker armor and a few more hitpoints than the M4A3E8 Sherman, but worse gun handling (dispersion on the move) and gun depression.

This particular 1:32 scale diecast replica of the famed US M4A3E8 Sherman medium tank that was commander by Creighton Abrams and nicknamed "Thunderbolt VII" and attached to the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, then deployed to Northwest Europe during 1945. Comes with bonus Ford GAA V-8 engine. Pre-order! Price and ship date to be determined.

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

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Breakthrough to Bastogne" - On the morning of December 26th, 1944, as part of a concerted effort to relieve the 101st Airborne ("Screaming Eagles") defending the all-important crossroads town of Bastogne, the 4th Armored Division's ("Breakthrough") Combat Command Reserve (CCR) was ordered by Division HQ to link up with Combat Command B (CCB), which was still fighting for the town of Chaumont in southeast Belgium. Colonel Wendell Blanchard, commander of CCR, called together Lt. Colonel Creighton Abrams of the 37th Tank Battalion, and Lt. Colonel George L. Jaques of the 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion. He told them to attack and seize the village of Chaumont, which was just 3 miles from Bastogne. From there, they were to advance in earnest up the main road, break through the German cordon, and make contact with the beleaguered 101st, which was rapidly running out of ammunition.

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.