Er? More Jumbos than the 1300 Tiggers? Really?
As brucka pointed out (thanks brucka!), I did not suggest that more Jumbos were BUILT, but that more were in service in ETO. But I would add, facing not only US (including French) forces, but also British / Commonwealth (including Polish) forces.
I stand by my assertion that there were in fact MORE Sherman Jumbos in action in ETO than there were Tigers (and would include Tiger IIs, even). So for a gamer gaming ETO, it should be a more common sight on the gameboard than a Tiger.
There were a total of 254 Sherman Jumbos (M4A3E2) built by Fisher Locomotive. I have not seen definitive numbers for how many were shipped to ETO, but I believe it is almost (if not fully) all. Once trialed, the tank was in high demand in-theater.
So much so that another ~100 were built IN the ETO, by welding additional plates onto existing M4A3s.
So let's say ~350 Jumbos in ETO.
From sources I've been able to find, it appears that a total of about 230-240 Tigers and Tiger IIs were deployed on the ETO.
Out of these, about 150 Tigers and Tiger IIs were present during the Normandy campaign (June – Aug 1944). About 60-80 were available at as a peak at any one time. Only 4-5 escaped from Normandy, but none of them made it back across the Seine, the last few falling into the river as they attempted to cross by ferries.
The rest of the 80-90 used in ETO were deployed during the Ardennes offensive and subsequent battles. These were mostly Tiger II's, with only a handful of base Tigers. No more than 30 were available at any given time, and never en masse.
About 180-190 Tigers deployed in Italy in June 1943 through May 1945. The average number of Tigers available at any given time since their deployment in Italy was about 30-40, with a probable peak at about 50. But Italy was in the MTO, not the ETO. I don't believe any Sherman Jumbos were provided to MTO, due to the mountainous terrain that dominated that region. (Or if any, maybe a handful for trials?)
So … all you ETO gamers out there … American Sherman Jumbos should be showing up about 50% MORE OFTEN than Tigers. Jumbos come out 3 times for every 2 times Tigers are seen. Just kinda as a back-of-the-hand guideline. Of course that's assuming you NEVER bring a Tiger out against the Commonwealth (which you probably do).
Could be wrong. Be interested to see credible numbers that indicate I am. But this is what I believe from my readings.
-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)
paints 
