The M4 Sherman tank was the mainstay of the Western allies between 1942 and 1945. Fast and modern it was a big success and was transported as far afield as Russia and North Africa. The American Chief of Staff claimed in November 1943 it was 'hailed widely as the best tank on the battlefield today...'. However, by the Normandy invasion of June 1944 this was not the case: the new German heavy tanks such as the Panther and Tiger were completely outclassing the Sherman. This title covers the M4 version armed with the 76 mm gun, examining developments such as the HVSS suspension, using much new archive material.

The M4 Sherman tank was the mainstay of the Western allies between 1942 and 1945. Fast and modern it was a big success and was transported as far afield as Russia and North Africa. The American Chief of Staff claimed in November 1943 it was 'hailed widely as the best tank on the battlefield today...'. However, by the Normandy invasion of June 1944 this was not the case: the new German heavy tanks such as the Panther and Tiger were completely outclassing the Sherman. This title covers the M4 version armed with the 76 mm gun, examining developments such as the HVSS suspension, using much new archive material.

The Sherman tank was the principal US and Allied tank of World War II more Shermans were built than all German tanks combined. Not only were large numbers of Shermans manufactured, but a large number of variants emerged powered by different types of engines and with different types of hulls, turrets and other details, making it an ideal subject for any modeller. Steven J Zaloga takes on the Sherman tank in this book, providing a guide to four variants across a range of different skill levels, depicting differing colour schemes and techniques which are examined and illustrated in lavish full-colour step-by-step photographs.

Developed as a replacement for the M3 Lee and Grant medium tanks, the M4 Sherman was the first American tank to carry a 75mm main gun mounted on a fully traversing turret. Equipped with a gyro-stabilizer that enabled it to fire with reasonable accuracy while on the move, the Sherman proved a fair match against the Nazi Panzer III and IV and far superior than its Japanese adversaries. While the German Tiger and Panther tanks proved to be superior weapons, the mobility and reliability of the Sherman and the sheer number of them placed in the field -- over 50,000 were built during the war -- helped even the odds. The Sherman remained a mainstay after WWII, and saw service in Korea, during the Arab-Israeli Wars, and in conflicts between India and Pakistan. Intended as a general purpose manual for the platoon leader, tank commander and crew, this FM 17-76 field manual shows how to achieve efficient execution of mounted and dismounted action, and precision and speed in service of the weapon. Originally restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

With numbers 13 and 14 the Osprey Modelling Series sees the start of a regular subseries on modelling specific AFVs. The second covers the Allies' most important tank of WW2, the US M4 Sherman, of which 49, 234 gun tanks were built. With detailed step-by-step model photography, specially commissioned walkround photography, scale drawings and wartime shots, these books will provide all the details needed to model the main M4 Sherman version – the M4A4 – and its variants. There is a full roundup of the models available on the market, details of where you can see the real thing, a select bibliography, and survey of websites of interest.

The highly successful 'stop-gap' M3 medium tank was designed in 1941, and as adequate turret casting facilities were not yet ready, the M3 used an unusual armament configuration patterned after a French tank. British lend-lease demands led to the design of a second turret type with the US version called the Lee and the British version the Grant. It could penetrate Panzer armor, and its explosive firepower was excellent for dealing with German anti-tank guns. This book covers the design, development, service and variants of a vehicle that was the backbone of many World War II forces.

Volume 2 on the famed Sherman medium tank covers the welded-hull, radial-engine-equipped M4 and documents its development and production through its many variations, as well as its combat use around the globe. Produced by Chrysler, Pressed Steel Car Company, Alco, Pullman-Standard, and Baldwin Locomotive Works, the M4 bore the brunt of fighting until late summer 1944, when the M4A3 began to become available in quantity. Powered by a nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, the M4 fought in North Africa both with US and British forces, as well as across northwestern Europe, and leapfrogged across the Pacific islands both with the Army and Marines. The evolving design went through three major hull designs, multiple turret designs, and armament with either a 75 mm gun or a 105 mm weapon--all of which are detailed. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.