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Sherman Mk.V
was the British designation for the M4A4 which was produced
from June 1942 until September 1943. Due to a general
engine shortage, a five car- engine "Multibank" system
was adopted, with a total 7,499 vehicles being built.
As a result it was longer by165mm, heavier at 39.8tons
and slower with a maximum speed of 25mph than the other
Sherman variants. Resultantly it was rejected by the
US Army and Marines.
Hence this 30
cylinder expedient became the main Sherman variant supplied
under Lend-Lease to the British. It proved however to
be quite suitable and was used in large numbers; the
8th Army in Italy alone recieved 1,600 in 1943, and
they would be used on all fronts with Commonwealth forces
until the end of hostilities.
This hull also
became the main source for the Firefly conversion; the
Firefly Vc (UK01
), and also for some ARV's as the Sherman (Mk.V
) Armoured Recovery Vehicle Mk.I (UK79).
The British had
shipped Mk.V's to India for the forthcomming advance
against Japanese held Burma. However the US Govt. requested
the return of these vehicles in order to equip the Chinese
Provisional Tank Battalions, several of which operated
under American advisors in China and Northern Burma.
These were the only M4A4's used outwith the British
Commonwealth forces.
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