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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 with a total of 7167
supplied. 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 ( see
Premier kit UK01 ), and also for some ARV's as the
Sherman (Mk.V ) Armoured Recovery Vehicle Mk.I ( see
Premier kit 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 Chinese
Provisional Tank Battalions, several of which operated
under American advisors in China and Northern Burma.
These were the only M4A4's used outwith British Commonwealth
forces.
The
early version is most easily identified by the early
style direct vision slots on the rounded drivers cupolas
and the M34 mantlet.
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