"Which Sherman for D-Day pus...?" Topic

The lockout file bug made my first posting not spawn correctly so let's try this again.

I am getting close to completion of my 28 mm North Africa forces. So I am turning my attention to the European Theater at and after the D-Day landings. Anyway at D-Day and well into the bocage fight what version of the M4 Sherman would have been available? The reason I ask is a Sherman or three is high on my list of next 1/56 scale tank model purchases. Along with the answer about which version M4 Sherman which manufactures in 1/56 do you recommend for said version?

Thanks and this should make for an interesting discussion.

um…dear Editor if you could correct that last word as it should have read as "plus" (hangs head in shame)

LOL……..

For the British, Canadians and Poles, the main type used by the armoured divisions and some of the independent brigades was the Sherman V (M4A4). Independent brigades mainly used Sherman III (M4A2), with the 4th Armoured Brigade using Sherman II (M4A1).

Fireflies were all Mk Vc in Normandy.

For the Americans, you're looking primarily at M4A1 and M4A3, with 76mm versions and M4A3E2 Jumbos appearing from July 44 onwards.

In US service, I believe the M4, with the continental engine and welded hull, and the M4A1, with the same engine but cast hull, were common, and probably some M4A3, with the welded hull and Ford V8. These were increasingly used, to the point that they eventually became the most numerous version. All of them had the 75mm gun at first, but gradually a few 76mm versions were received. (The M4 never had the 76, but both the M4A1 and the M4A3 eventually did.)

In British service, the M4A4 (Sherman V), with the Chrysler multi-bank engine and 75mm gun, was the standard, with some Vc (Firefly), with the 17-pounder gun, included. (Think about 25% at first.)

Yes Psycho Rabbit I am just waiting for the Nurgle WW II comments or worse. Anyway doing my own research it would appear that the answer would be that the M4A4 may have been the main production model in use for D-Day. Although the M4A1 may still have been in use as well. Perhaps more learned persons will be along in a bit. Where is the Porkman or 28 mm Gamer when you need them?

Ah I see that a couple of folks posted while I was writing. I see so the M4A4 was the version for the British. Got it. Anyone make a Jumbo in 1/56? I see plenty of M4A1's and it appears that JTFM makes a "Normandy" Sherman and a M4A3.

You don't see M4A3s in action until the late summer of '44. The main US Army types in Normandy were the M4 and the M4A1. The M4A1(76) made its combat debut during Operation Cobra.

Tachikoma has the right of it. M4A3s weren't issued until around Aug 1944, and didn't become operational until approx Sept 1944. As an aside, the M4A3s issued were "big hatch" wet stowage Shermans, but "small hatch" dry stowage M4A3s were issued at the end of the war as attrition replacements.

Damon.

Excellent information folks and appears to explain why most of the 1/56 scale models I am looking at are the M4 or M4A1. Although I see that Lon of Brigade Games and Hobbies carries alternate turrets for 1/56 scale Shermans along with stowage. Anyone make cullen devices for carving up the bocage to add/customize 1/56 scale Shermans?

I'm reading this and remembering how back in the seventies we used the Airfix Sherman for everything. Oh the joy that ensued when Matchbox did the Firefly!

Fatman

The turrets that Lon carries are by Company B, who also do Hedge Cutters (and Wading kits).

Careful with alternate turrets for the Sherman. The only M4(105)s FREX were on big hatch hulls, as were the M4A1(76), at least operationally, and there were no M4A1(105s) since one of the M4 manufacterers were the ones selected for those automotive models.

Damon.

For the Invasion ALL US Shermans were M4 and M4A1 "dry" hull versions, plus the few DD tanks that made it ashore.. This was because they used the same engine and that made logistics easier. The M4A1 76mm came in just before the launch of Cobra, the M4A3 75mm wet hull version came in during the breakout and the 76mm version later. For a Normandy Sherman though you wouldn't use an A3.

One of my buddies who saw this thread and is well versed on all thing related to tanks in WW II stated that my best bet was to go with the classic M4 or M4A1 as you stated Nom. He told that while there were the later versions of the Sherman the classic M4 (because there were so many of the things) saw action all the way to the end even though it was showing its age by that point. So looks like a few basic M4s are in my future purchases.