M4A1E6 and M4A3E4 Shermans

M4A1E6

In 1949, the United States initiated the Mutual Defense Assistance Program [MDAP]. Allies and potential allies were provided with various kinds of materiel support in an effort to build up their defenses against the perceived threats of the Cold War. Many countries received tanks and other types of armored fighting vehicles, most of which were WW II surplus. The above photo shows Half-tracks, Hi Speed Tractors, trucks and Shermans "hermetically" sealed and ready for MDAP shipment. New York Port of Embarkation, Brooklyn, March 1951.



M4A1E6

A couple of interesting Sherman variations were created specifically for the MDAP program - the M4A1E6 and the M4A3E4. The M4A1E6 was an M4A1(75)VVSS in which the original 75mm was replaced with a 76mm gun. Except for 100 or so of the last units produced by Pressed Steel Car, M4A1(75)s featured the original design "small" drivers' hatches. Some sources refer to them as "M4A1E4", no doubt assuming that both types would have been given the same "E number". The "E" stands for "Experimental", and the "6" indicates that this was the sixth experimental type of M4A1. To explain further, the M4A1E5 was the designation given to seventeen test Shermans modified in mid 1943 to provide for an "improved engine installation." Thus, the next open experimental designation for an M4A1 was E6, while it was E4 for the M4A3. Period photos and surviving examples of M4A1E6s appear to be limited to the countries of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The MDAP figures we came across at the US Archives only went up to 31 January 1954 and didn't include these countries. Additionally, the lists are not specific about types such as "M4A1E6" or "M4A3E4" but rather are generic, that is, a Sherman with 76mm is simply listed as "Tank, Med, 76mm Gun, M4 Series" which could encompass a number of different models. In the absence of documentation, we can observe that a few online sources have it that India was provided with 200 M4A1E4(76)s (sic) and M4A3E4(76)s as MDAP, and Pakistan with 547 M4A1E4(76)s (sic). The photo above shows a Pakistani M4A1E6 Sherman that was reported to have been destroyed by the Indian Army during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. Photo courtesy of Abhinay Rathore via Wikipedia.


The M4A3E4 Sherman


M4A3E4

The M4A3E4 was an M4A3(75) Wet Stowage with VVSS up-gunned with a 76mm. Note that while most or all of the M4A1s would have had "small hatches", the specific mention of "Wet Stowage" indicates that the M4A3s would have been of 1944 production, and therefore equipped with large hatches. The limitation to only VVSS suspensions was intentional, as the US Army sought to equip its postwar troops with as many M4A3(76)HVSS units as it could find or fabricate by conversion. This included the use of other, undesired types as sources of conversion parts such as HVSS and 76mm turrets. Up-gunning the M4A3(75)W to 76mm necessitated the conversion and rearrangement of the ammunition stowage. It is to be noted that the ammunition stowage was "Dry". The efficacy of "Wet Stowage" in preventing ammunition fires had been questionable from the start, and its use was officially eliminated in the late 1940s. Other changes were made to some interior fittings, the most notable being the relocation of the radio to the right sponson in order to help alleviate the cramped conditions in the small turret. The photo above shows an M4A3E4 on display near the Police Station in Velenje, Slovenia.


M4A3E4

A small gun traveling lock was added to the rear of the hull. A few surviving examples can also be seen to have standard 76/105mm gun traveling locks mounted on the front. For the most part, we believe that the M4A3E4 and M4A1E6 projects would have used original parts, refurbished if necessary. However, the rear travelling lock strikes us as likely to have been a new casting ordered specifically for these conversions.


M4A3E4    M4A3E4

When modified for the 76 mm, the M34A1 gun mount was designated "M34A1E1". Standard 76mm guns M1A1, M1A1C or "M1A2 less muzzle brake" were used. We assume that the muzzle brakes were omitted so that whatever supplies of these were available, could be reserved to meet the requirements of the US Army. Of interest is that thread protectors were to be cut down "to reduce weight." In the above photos, the "cut down" thread protector is shown on the left and can be compared with the WW II era thread protector on the right. During the war, it was reported that 385 76mm Shermans were produced with "unthreaded" M1A1 gun tubes. After that, and before the availability in late 1944 of the M1A2 gun with muzzle brake, the tanks came off the line with "threaded" M1A1C gun tubes with a thread protector installed in anticipation of the availability of muzzle brakes for retrofit. We can't imagine that the cut down 1950s thread protector reduced the weight by more than a pound or two. And were thread protectors installed during the M4A3E4 conversion program in anticipation that muzzle brakes might become available, or was it intended to add a bit of strength to the end of the gun barrel? In any case, the cut down thread protector gives the M4A3E4 a distinctive look. It's not saying much, but we would observe that we have not encountered any period photos or surviving examples of M4A3E4s or M4A1E6s for that matter, with straight, unthreaded M1A1 gun tubes.


M4A3E4    M4A3E4

Ordnance Committee Item 34436 which described the changes to be made, only stipulated the use of Fisher built M4A3(75) (Wet) VVSS Shermans for the M4A3E4 conversion. However, the examination of a number of surviving examples shows that some were converted from tanks originally made by Chrysler as M4A3(105)VVSS's. In the absence of documentation, the authors can only speculate that the supply of M4A3(75) (Wet) Shermans was insufficient to meet the requirements of the conversion program, and M4A3(105)s, which were plentiful in the postwar inventory, were considered acceptable substitutes. Both types utilized high bustle, D78461 turrets, although the 105 turret had a second ventilator.  With the commander's vision cupola installed, both types were equipped with pintle stands for the .50 cal MG but note how the pintle for the 105 turret was adapted to fit over the rear ventilator.


M4A3E4    M4A3E4

None of the M4A3E4 conversions examined to date, whether based on the M4A3(75)W or M4A3(105) hulls appear to have former 105mm turrets. M4A3E4s have been noted with either high bustle, 75mm D78461 turrets or low bustle D50878 turrets from 1942/43 production Shermans. Again, in the absence of documentation, we can only speculate that the 105mm turrets may have been replaced because they did not meet the requirements of the program, lacking both gyro stabilizers and power traverse. The photos above show a standard D78461 turret as mounted on M4A3E4 SN 49422 on display in the Park of Military History in Pivka, Slovenia. By the serial number, this unit would have been built by Fisher Body as an M4A3(75)W VVSS and accepted in May 1944.


M4A3E4    M4A3E4

The photos above show a low bustle D50878 turret as mounted on an M4A3E4 on display in Velenje, Slovenia. One of our readers, Igor Verdev, was able to record the Serial Number as 62127, indicating that the tank was originally built by Fisher Body as an M4A3(75)W VVSS and accepted in September 1944. SN 62127 would have been built with a D78461 turret, which more than likely ended up on another tank involved in the conversion program. The low bustle D50878 would have required a number of changes to bring it "up to spec". Most D50878s lacked loader's hatches, so that would have to have been added. If not already present, a "patch" (1) would have been required on the right cheek of the turret to compensate for the "thin spots" (further explanations here). Finally, some material would have to have been removed from the lower corners of the low bustle turret to provide clearance for the protrusions of the large hatch drivers' doors (circled in red). SN 62127 can be seen with fittings (2) for the armored exhaust deflector, as well as those for the late 1940s RC-298 Infantry Phone (3). However, there is no weld scar evidence that the torsion bar helper hinges for the engine deck doors were ever installed. The fitting on the glacis plate in front of the driver's hatch (circled and inset) appears to be a slightly enlarged version of the fitting used starting in late 1942 by the Chester Tank Depot. This permitted the brakes to be locked or unlocked without breaking the tank's weatherproofing sealant during shipping. Years ago, the "Sherman community" dubbed this "the comb device" due to its serrated appearance.


M4A3E4

Here we have a somewhat overhead view of the turret on SN 62127. While the OCM does not stipulate the changes to be made to the turrets, period photos and surviving examples suggest that the addition of the commander's all round vision cupola was required. Many surviving M4A3E4s and M4A1E6s are seen with the “Cupola Hatch Hold Open Lock” (1). This appears to have been released in 1945 as a Modification Work Order in response to injuries sustained when the original locks on the all round vision cupola hatches failed. We would describe this as a post war mod, as we can't say that we have ever seen the catch installed in any WW II era Sherman photos. As mentioned previously, a pintle stand (2) for the .50 cal anti-aircraft machine gun was part of the vision cupola design and included in the Modification kit. Machine gun stowage on the turret bustle (3) appears to have been mandated. The Modification kit for this item also included a blanket roll rack which was to be affixed to the upper rear hull. The 2-inch smoke mortar along with the turret spotlight had been eliminated from the Sherman design in 1945, and weld scars or patches (circled) suggest that these items were removed, if they hadn't been at an earlier date. We would have expected that the gunner's armored periscope cover (inset 1) would have been one of the required mods for both the M4A3E4 and M4A1E6, but it is only present on two examples that we have encountered, both M4A1E6s. Only the holding studs (4) can be seen on this example, but periscope guards appear to have been required if they were not already installed. As with other types of postwar VVSS rebuilds, spare track links were added to the sides of the turrets in the manner seen here. The retrofit of the loader's hatch on the low bustle turret was very neatly done on most jobs, but here we see that some armor was ground from the turret (5) possibly to enable a better fit. This particular D50878 turret was cast by General Steel at its Commonwealth Plant in Granite City, Illinois. Their casting marks included the date, but as can be seen in inset 2, the month of production was covered over by the addition of the ventilator. The turret serial number is readable as 738. From collecting data and counting heads, we would judge that this turret was cast in early April 1943.


M4A3E4

The exact number of M4A3E4s that were provided as MDAP is not known. Bowen-McLaughlin-York gave a figure of 310 units in one internal memo. However, a surviving Rock Island Arsenal "M4A3-E4 76MM" dataplate dated August 1953 (shown later), makes it obvious that it wasn't just BMY that undertook these conversions. The photo above shows an "E4" at BMY processed and ready for shipment. Note that this tank has a low bustle turret from a 1942 or 1943 production Sherman. The casting marks on the turret splash are more typical of Chrysler than Fisher, so this was probably an M4A3(105) conversion. Torsion bar helper hinges (1- another early 1950s BMY project) can be seen on the engine deck. Judging by surviving M4A3E4s, this does not appear to have been a universal addition. Second Generation hulls such as this were installed with spare track holders on both sides of the upper rear hull plate. These were removed during the conversion process, and 3 spare track blocks (2) were affixed to each side of the turret. Fittings (3) on the upper rear hull plate for a late 1940s infantry phone are seen retrofitted to the right side on some of the conversions. This leads us to assume that the infantry phone would have been included as On Vehicle Materiel on any M4A3E4s installed with these fittings. Note the "Armor Plate Exhaust Deflector" (4). Counting heads suggests that this item was factory installed at Chrysler starting in January 1945, and at Fisher in March. The evidence is that none of the VVSS Shermans would have been built with armored deflectors. A Modification Work Order Kit became available in April 1945, which was too late for retrofit during WW II. Consequently, it is likely that large numbers of these kits were available to BMY, and that they were installed until the supply was exhausted on the 3000 or so M4A3 based rebuilds and conversions BMY undertook in the early 1950s. We didn't come across any "remove sand shields" directives, but they are notable for their absence in period photos and on surviving M4A3E4 and M4A1E6s. The "YO" in the shipping code (inset) probably indicates that this tank was headed for Yugoslavia.


M4A3E4

Here we see another M4A3E4, complete with its "On Vehicle Materiel" (OVM) boxes (1), tied down on a rail car and ready to be shipped out. As with the previous example, the shipping stencils include the date (arrow) "Feb. 1952 York, Pa." Again, the casting marks (circled) on the turret splash seem more typical of Chrysler than Fisher, so this was probably another M4A3(105) conversion. Another 105 clue may be the presence of the "tall" gun travel lock (2) as used on 76 and 105mm Second Generation Shermans. It seems likely that BMY left these on but removed the "short" gun travel locks from M4A3(75)W conversions since they would not fit the retrofitted 76mm guns. The turret can be seen as another D50878 low bustle, with Union Steel casting marks visible on the bustle. The turret serial is upside down and appears to be "1733." If so, counting heads suggests that it would have been cast in the 4th quarter of 1942, and likely installed on a Sherman produced in early 1943. This tank can be seen with the "hinged" comb device (3) observed on many Shermans remanufactured by BMY in the early 1950s. The wires that locked down the brakes may have entered the tank through the auxiliary periscope opening in front of the driver's hatch. The hinged comb was much more complex than the simple serrated metal piece shown earlier. We suspect BMY used both, with the hinged device possibly introduced as an improvement. Finally, we would point out the round item (4) that appears to have been mounted through the hole of the loader's periscope. Best guess is that this was some sort of ventilator designed to keep moisture from building up inside the sealed tank during a long sea voyage.


M4A3E4

As mentioned, the MDAP documents we encountered list the 76mm Shermans sent to various countries only generically as "Tank, Medium, 76mm Gun, M4 Series." Denmark is reported to have received 8 such Shermans as MDAP. Thanks to the fine research of Claus Bonnesen, we know by their serial numbers that the 8 sent to Denmark were all M4A3E4s converted using the hulls of M4A3(105)VVSS Shermans. Brian Brodersen provided us with the photo above which shows all 8 of the Danish M4A3E4s lined up. This must have been shortly after they were received, since they still have what we think were ventilators added by BMY mounted on their turrets. Note that at this time, all of the tanks had sharp nosed E8543 differential housings typical of Second Generation Shermans. Photo courtesy of the Fighterwing Skrydstrup historical collection.


M4A3E4    M4A3E4

Researcher Claus Bonnesen found that the Danish M4A3E4s were numbered in service, and all but 7 and 8 have survived. Here we see Number 6, Serial Number 56808 (Chrysler June 1944 production) on display at the Pansermuseum in Oksbøl. This tank can be seen to have a high bustle turret, although it is not the original D78461 105mm turret since it lacks the extra ventilator in the rear. Pierre-Oliver found that the turret was cast by General Steel-Eddystone and is turret SN 7679. It has a fabricated or welded together secondary antenna mount, a practice that appears to have been exclusive to Fisher built Shermans. Therefore, we would judge that it must have come off of an M4A3(75)W, quite possibly one that was built with HVSS. If so, the 75mm turret may have been replaced with a 76mm, permitting the tank to be converetd to M4A3(76)HVSS, the US Army's preferred Sherman type in the post war years. In any case, it is somewhat surprising that the turret does not have a gunner's armored periscope cover, since counting heads suggests that these were installed on M4A3(75)Ws from the start. However, we have not observed the armored periscope covers on any surviving M4A3E4s, leading us to suspect that they might have been removed when present for use elsewhere, probably on Shermans remanufactured by BMY for use by US troops. Number 6 can be seen with the "hinged" comb device (1) mounted on the differential housing similar to the M4A3E4 in the photo on a railcar at BMY. We shall see that, in other cases, it was affixed to the glacis plate. The 8 M4A3E4s were assigned Danish Serial Numbers that are other than the actual US Ordnance Serial Numbers. Claus has listed the Danish SNs in the chart at the bottom of the page. These have "CP" prefixes, and in our discussions, we came to realize that these numbers were actually stamped on the tank, on the right front in the area colored red (2). They are the serial numbers of the glacis armor plates. We believe the "CP" prefix stands for "Chrysler-Plymouth." From examining a number of samples, the part number of the plate is constant - 1062956 (inset) while the CP Number is variable. This worked for the Danish bookkeepers because all of their M4A3E4s were originally made by Chrysler. If they had received an example made by Fisher, they would have had to think of something else.


M4A3E4    M4A3E4

SN 57644 (Chrysler July 1944) is interesting in that it has a couple of unexpected features. Pierre-Olivier found paint traces of the number "3" on the turret (circled) and upper rear hull, which matches up with "Danish Military Number 3" on Claus's chart at the bottom of this page. In the photo on the left, note that an E4186 differential housing (1) has replaced the sharp nosed E8543 diff that would have been original to this Sherman as seen in the lineup photo. The Danes received a number of ex Canadian M10 17 pounders, so it seems likely that the E4186 diff came from one of those. What remains of the "hinged" comb device (2) is mounted on the glacis in this case. The gun travel lock is probably original to this tank, but when it was built in July 1944, the barrel holder would have been a two-piece clasp. Reports from users complained that the "two fingers" did not hold the barrel securely. Consequently, a single piece, wrap around locking arm (3) was designed. As best we can determine, this was another modification that was released too late for factory, depot or field retrofit during WW II. Thousands of modification kits must have been produced and installed post war by BMY and other firms, since the single piece locking arm is present on the majority of surviving Shermans with gun travel locks. In the photo on the right, it can be seen that the pistol port is welded up. We would have expected that a working pistol port would have been a requirement of the M4A3E4/M4A1E6 conversion program, but there are a few surviving examples that "say" otherwise. The elimination of the pistol port in mid 1943 was so unpopular with users that it was brought back in late 1943 and was a design feature of all 2nd Generation Shermans except for the M4A3E2 "Jumbo." Based on the Union Steel turret serial number, 3282, we suspect that this turret was welded up and had the right front patch added before it was installed on its original Sherman sometime in the second half of 1943. We would observe that when the pistol port was welded up in 1943, the hinge barrels on the pistol port casting are generally noted to have been burned off, as seen here. The photo on the right provides good views of the 2-section armored exhaust deflector (4), the blanket roll rack (5) and the torsion bar helper hinges (6).


M4A3E4

Period photos and at least 4 surviving examples make it seem likely that both Pakistan and India received some M4A3E4s along with M4A1E6s. On the left is a unit on display at the Pakistan Army Museum in Rawalpindi, while the right shows an "E4" at the Armoured Corps Museum at Ahmednegar, India. Both of these feature the "final" type glacis pattern with the lifting rings mounted "outboard." In addition, both can be seen with the differential housing bolt strip overcut filled in in the Fisher configuration as shown in the lower left, indicating these were most likely converted from M4A3(75)Ws. Also, both appear to have had a local modification, a spare road wheel fitting retrofitted to their differential housings. Only the Ahmednegar is seen installed with the torsion bar helper hinges on the engine deck as shown in the lower right.


M4A3E4

Surviving M4A3E4s are most numerous in the countries that once made up Yugoslavia, which is reported to have been allocated 599 "Tank, Medium, 76mm Gun, M4 Series" with 583 shipped as of 31 January 1954. Interested readers might wish to have a look at Pierre-Olivier's compilation of "Surviving Post-WWII Sherman Tanks." No doubt the most famous M4A3E4s are the ones featured in the 1970 MGM film "Kelly Heroes." According to Wikipedia, "The film was a US-Yugoslav co-production, filmed mainly in the Croatian village of Vižinada on the Istria peninsula."


The M4A1E6 Sherman



M4A1E6

The authors have found the M4A1E6 to be a much more elusive research subject. Bowen-McLaughlin-York stated that they were contracted to do 413 conversions. This figure is quite a bit less than the 547 that Pakistan is said to have received according to some internet sources. However, BMY's production order may have been increased and/or perhaps Rock Island Arsenal was tapped to convert some more. There is an interesting sentence in the description of the M4A1E6 conversion work - "Redesign gun shield and adapt gun and mount into 105mm turret." The BMY M4A3E4 contract was dated January 1952, while the M4A1E6 was dated May 1952. Thus, there may have been a chronology, with the M4A1s being the last to be converted. At that point the supply of 75mm turrets may have been running low, so that it became necessary to resort to the use of 105 turrets. If so, it raises the question, would the 105 turret conversions have included the use of power traverse, a standard (and excellent) feature of both the 75 and 76mm Sherman? There were about 1400 M4A3(105)s with power traverse in the US post war inventory. However, when the mechanism was adopted late in production for use in the 105 turret, it had to be installed in the rear, and we can't help but think that its location would have made it difficult or impossible for a crew to work the 76mm gun. Jim Goetz photographed the M4A1E6 shown above at the Punjab State War Hero's Memorial and Museum in Amritsar, India. Perhaps a look inside the turret could answer questions about the power traverse? A plaque states that it was "destroyed by 7 light cavalry near village Chatanwalla, Barki in 1965 Indo-Pak War." The hull appears to be a Pressed Steel Car M4A1 produced after the transition from riveted to welded lower hull was completed around May 1943. The hull shows evidence of having been remanufactured in the US in 1945 with E9 suspension, although the end connectors are not installed in this case. The turret seen here can be identified as a former 105 mm turret by the additional ventilator (1) with an anti-aircraft machine gun pintle (2) purpose made to go over top of the vent. We've circled what remains of the "comb device" typical of BMY and have provided a photo of a complete example in the inset. This is seen on some but not all surviving M4A1E6s and M4A3E4s.


M4A1E6

The photo above shows an M4A1E6 displayed at the National Defense Academy in Khadakwasla, India. On this example, the turret can be seen with the "thin spot" patch (1) on the right front suggesting that it is a low bustle D50878 75mm turret. Such turrets were not made with the oval loader's hatch (2) so the one seen here would have been retrofitted in the manner of some M4A3E4s. Again, the hull displays the hallmarks of an M4A1 remanufactured in the US in 1945 with the E9 suspension modification. This mod extended the suspension out from the hull by 4.5 inches, which permitted extended end connectors to be installed on the inside as well as on the outside of the tracks as is seen here. Essentially, this increased the track width to 23 11/16 inches thereby reducing the ground pressure and improving the tank's floatation. A total of 2000 E9 modification kits became available to US manufacturers and remanufacturers in early 1945. We invite interested readers to have a look at our "E9 Suspension" page for more information. We would observe that E9 is present on some but not all surving M4A1E6s, and not present on any of the surviving M4A3E4s that we know of. Also muzzle brakes (3) are a feature of most surviving M4A1E6s but not M4A3E4s. Photo courtesy of Warbirds of India website.


M4A1E6

Earlier we wrote that "The M4A1E6 was an M4A1(75)VVSS in which the original 75mm was replaced with a 76mm gun. Except for 100 or so of the last units produced by Pressed Steel Car, M4A1(75)s featured the original design "small" drivers' hatches." Here we have one of the exceptions. Jim Goetz visited the Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bangladesh and photographed an M4A1E6 conversion based on one of the "large hatch" M4A1(75)s produced by PSC in December 1943. The upper hull can be identified as an E8550 casting made for the 75mm gun tank by the "cast in appliqué" (asterisked) on the side. In the inset, the cast in appliqué "bumps" on the right side are clearly visible. To explain, M4A1(76)s incorporated wet stowage, which repositioned the ammo racks to the hull floor. Thus, the E8595 large hatch hull casting for the 76mm gun tank did not require welded on or cast in appliqué since ammunition racks were no longer mounted on the sponsons. As a December 1943 production Sherman, this tank would have been made with the sharp nosed or E8543 type of differential housing. However, this has been replaced with an E4186 diff with the very low serial number of 96, no doubt from 1942. This tank would also have been built with a "short" gun travel lock for its original 75mm. It can be seen to have been replaced with a "tall" gun travel lock (1) that appears to be a very nice, fabricated copy of the official 76/105mm gun travel lock casting. Of course, the commander's all round vision cupola (2) would have been retrofitted, most likely during the M4A1E6 conversion. As built, this tank would have had an uncovered U-shaped ventilator opening between the drivers' hatches. However, it can be seen to have been retrofitted with the sheet metal cover (3), again most likely during the M4A1E6 conversion. We would observe that the gunner's armored periscope cover (4) is not frequently noted on M4A3E4 and M4A1E6 conversions. Finally, some casting marks can be seen on the top of the turret (circled and inset) that would suggest it was cast by Union Steel.


M4A1E6

In Jim's view from the left rear, it can be seen that the turret has a "high bustle" (arrow). This would be consistent with a large hatch M4A1(75), and we strongly suspect it is original to this tank. Indeed, some casting marks (inset) that are mostly hidden by the spare track holder on the right side, appear to show that it is one of the small number of D50878 high bustle, oval loader's hatch turrets produced by Union Steel. A bit of the loader's hatch hinge (1) and the hold down clamp (2) can be seen. Such a turret would have had a working pistol port, so it is a mystery as to why this one has been welded shut (3). Most M4A3E4s and M4A1E6s are noted with 3 spare tracks directly attached to each side of the turret. However, this and one other example we know have the tracks rather inelegantly installed on the turret inside the spare track holders (4) that were originally mounted on each side of the upper rear hull of 2nd Generation VVSS Shermans. These appear to have been removed from such tanks during the conversion process to permit the installation of an infantry phone on one side or the other of the upper rear hull. As best we can determine, the spare track holders would not have been factory installed on the upper rear hull of a December 1943 production M4A1(75) such as this. However, the track holders used in this case could have been recycled from one of the M4A3E4 conversions done at the time. Note that there is an infantry phone box (5) attached to the left rear, but it is not the common US type RC-298 Interphone. It appears to be a casting and seems more likely that it was of local manufacture. Note again the typical "small" gun travel lock (6) added to the rear of the hull on M4A3E4 and M4A1E6 conversions.


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M4A3E4 dataplates



56797
56797

These dataplates from a surviving unit in Denmark give the nomenclature as "M4A3E4 76MM." The inclusion of "76MM" seems redundant since, by definition, the M4A3E4 was a 76mm gunned Sherman. It was "REM'F'D by BOWEN & MCLAUGHLIN YORK, PA." There is a date stamped in the box on the lower left, but it is unreadable in this case. The "SERIAL NO." is stamped "56797" indicating that this tank was built as an M4A3(105) by Chrysler in June 1944. Photos courtesy of Claus Bonnesen.


48876
48876

It is thought that these dataplates were removed from a unit provided to Yugoslavia as MDAP. The nomenclature given here is "M4A3-E4 76MM." It was "REM'F'D by R.I. ARSENAL" and the date of acceptance stamped in the lower left can be seen as "AUG 53." We believe that the "W W W" stamped in the lower right might be the initials of the Ordnance Inspector who accepted the tank at Rock Island Arsenal. The "SERIAL NO." is stamped "48876" indicating that this dataplate came from a tank that was built as an M4A3(75)W by Fisher Body in March 1944. Photos courtesy of Hanno Spoelstra.


Danish M4A3E4s additional information

(source : Claus Bonnesen, records of the Danish Army Ordnance Corps (HTK/HMAK), inspection of surviving vehicles)

US Serial Number

Current location

US RN

Danish SN

Danish RN

Danish Military nr

56621

Missing, probably scrapped

30103003

CP3556 (unconfirmed)

13919

7

56797

Army storage area, Nymindegab (Denmark)

30103479

3003

13914

2

56808

Oksbøl Pansermuseum

30103490

CP4159

13918

6

56892

Probably Jüterbog, Germany

30103574

CP5014

13916

4

57644

Zeppelinmuseum, Tønder

30111205

CP5328

13915

3

57739

Missing, probably scrapped

30111300

CP5782
(unconfirmed)

13920

8

57746

Army storage area, Nymindegab (Denmark)

30111307

CP5753 (unconfirmed)

13913

1

57819

Royal Hussars Historic Collection
Næstved (Denmark)

30111380

CP5888 (unconfirmed)

13917

5



Sources : 
Hanno Spoelstra : http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoelstra/g104/retro76.htm
http://www.armyvehicles.dk/m4a3sherman.htm
Claus Bonnesen : http://www.panser.dk/data/1948_1962.html

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