Danish Army
Specific: When entering NATO in 1949, Denmark qualified to be
part of the MDAP.
As founded by the United States, Denmark had three
options in tanks: M4A3 Sherman, M47 and M48. Denmark had
the M48 in favour, but because of not being the most
important recipient, United States wanted Denmark to have
the Sherman.
These different point of views led to deliverance of 8
Sherman's in April 1952, officially for training, but
the United States had made their point clear. Denmark
then asked for the M47, but as the month went on, it
became clear the countries like Korea, Italy and France
was in a greater need.
Suddenly the United States offered the British Centurion
Mk III instead, an
offer that was accepted.
According to the serial numbers all 8
Sherman's were built as M4A3(105)VVSS, but later converted with a 75 mm
turret which had it's M3 gun replaced with a M1A1 76.2 mm gun
The Sherman was the first tank to become operational in
Denmark.
Historical: In April 1941 the Armoured Force
Board considered 5 proposals for the new M4 medium tank,
and chose the version based on the medium tank M3 Lee.
Approval was given in May 1941, a prototype known as the
T6 was produced at Aberdeen Proving Ground and ready in
September same year. The following month it was
standardised as the M4.
At the same time the M3 was downgraded to
"Substitute Standard". The Sherman shared many
components with the M3 General Lee.
In December the designation M4A1 was assigned to those
tanks with a cast upper hull. Production of the M4, which
were powered by a Continental R975 Whirlwind radial
engine, started at the Lima Locomotive Works in February
1942.
The M4A2, which were also standardised in December 1941,
went in production in April 1942. It was essentially a M4
powered by a General Motors 6046 twin diesel engine,
rather than the Continental 975 petrol engine.
The M4A3, which were standardised in January 1942,
differed from the A2 mainly in the design of the turret
and suspension (Horizontal Volute Suspension System
(HVSS) versus Vertical Volute Suspension System (VVSS)).
The Ford GAA-III engine was developed especially for the
M4A3 version. First production vehicle was completed by
Ford in May 1942.
The first M4A4 was standardised in February 1942 and went
into production by Chrysler in June. This version was
powered by the 30-cylinder A57 multi-bank engine, and
most of the production were supplied to the British under
Lend-lease.
A M4A6 was produced by Chrysler at the Detroit Arsenal
from October 1943, but in February, after only 75 of the
planned 775 vehicles had been produced, production
ceased. The A6 version was basically a M4A4, but powered
by a RD 1820 radial diesel engine built by Caterpillar as
their model D200A. The engine was based on the Wright
G200 aircraft engine.
Various version such as mine flail, bulldozers and
flame-throwers were made.
Besides WW II the Sherman served the US Army through the
Korea War, and several thousands were supplied to other
nations in military aid programs.
The Sherman was declared obsolete by the US Army in 1956.
Produced from 1941 - 1945 by American Locomotive Company,
Baldwin Locomotive Works, Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal,
Federal Machine and Welding Company, Ford Motor Company,
GM Fisher Tank Division, Lima Locomotive Works, Pacific
Car & Foundry, Pressed Steel Car Company, Pullmann
Standard Car Manufacturing, Rock Island Arsenal, and
Montreal Locomotive Works (Canada) with close to 50.000
build.
Length: 6.20 m (216 inches).
Width: 2.60 m (112 inches).
Height: 3.30 m (97 inches).
Weight: 37.000 kg (40.500 lb.).
Armour: 92 mm (3.6 inches) max.
Engine: Ford V8-cylinder, type GAA-III, 18.029 cm3
(1.100 cubic inches) displacement, carburettors, liquid
cooled.
Horsepower: 450 at 2.600 rpm.
Transmission: 5-speed.
Transfer case: None.
Electrical system: 24 volt, negative ground.
Brakes: Mechanical, controlled-differential.
Fording depth:
without preparation: 0.91 m (36 inches).
with deep water fording kit: N/A.
Fuel type: Petrol.
Fuel capacity: 764 liter (168 gallons).
Range: 160 km (100 miles).
Crew: 5.
Armament: 1 76 mm gyro stabilised gun, 2
7.62 mm machine guns, 1 12.7 mm machine gun.
Additional: N/A.
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