The M4A3Ā ShermanĀ would be the base for what would be the final Sherman in US Army use, seeing action all the way out to the Korean War in US Army hands.Ā This tank had a welded hull just like theĀ M4,Ā M4A2, andĀ M4A4, but used a new motor. Ā The Ford GAA V8, this motor took some time for its bugs to be worked out, the US Army didnāt use it until it was ready for serious production.Ā When it was, it became the preferred US Army version of the tank in both theĀ 75mmĀ andĀ 76mmĀ forms.Ā It would see all the improvements, and be the first hull type to take theĀ HVSSĀ suspension system into combat for the US Army. Ā It would be produced in three factories with all turret types,Ā 12,596Ā built in total between June 42 and June of 45.
The first run of M4A3 tanks were small hatch tanks made by Ford, most were used in the USA for training, and many never saw combat.Ā Some were rebuilt and sent to Europe to help make up for higher than expected tank losses after the Normandy Campaign. Ā These are the rarest version of the M4A3 Sherman in Europe, but they are pretty common around the Midwest USA as monument tanks.
TheĀ M4A3(75)WĀ had a 75mm M3 gun, 47Ā° glacis with large driver hatches.Ā It shifted ammunition lockers to hull floor in water-glycol jacketed lockers to decrease risk of fire, known as āwet stowageā.Ā A total ofĀ 2,420Ā were build between February and December 1944, and an additional ofĀ 651Ā being built asĀ M4A3(75)W HVSSĀ between January and March 1945.
TheĀ M4A3(105)Ā had an 105mm howitzer used for infantry support.Ā A total ofĀ 500Ā were built between May and September 1944, and anotherĀ 2,539Ā being built asĀ M4A3(105) HVSSĀ between September 1944 and June 1945.
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Product Highlights:
- Choice to build a M4A3 with 75mm gun with VVSS or HVSS
- Choice to build a M4A3 with 105mm howitzer with VVSS or HVSS
- Choice to build a POA-CWS-H5 (M4A3(105) Flamethrower)
- Large hatch M4A3 chassis for above possible builds
- British Sherman IV, IVB, IVBY choices
