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SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:17 am Post subject: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Here is another Sherman at the museum but this one has a stamping in the front hull you can read, 89, 30101502. The USA number on the side ends with a 1, instead of a 2, I don't know what that is about. I guess this is another one for Joe DeMarco to figure out! Obviously this museum doesn't have a clue as to what it has. I want them to know for future generations, as corny as that may sound. They are showing this tank as built by Ford in 1945 on their Historical Property Catalog sheet.

SHAWN · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 484

anybody, are those mine racks on the hull sides???

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:42 am Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Hi Shawn! Hi Folks!

- SHAWN

anybody, are those mine racks on the hull sides???

I don't think so. Doesn't look deep enough to hold any of the land mines I ever saw. Also, I don't see anything at either end that would hold anything inside those racks. I have no idea what those are for.

I also don't recall ever seeing anything like that on any other Sherman.
Sgt, Scouts out!

SHAWN · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 484

you are correct roy. i have no idea what they might be for.

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:24 am Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

I looked at evry picture I had of Shermans thus far and couldn't find another with that set up either. I guess Saturday morning I'll go back and get a few more pictures of these two Sherman again, with close ups of that rack. Decoding that serial number might help figure it out.

bsmart · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:01 am Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Jeff

When you look at the rack see if it looks like the rack was cut to allow the first aid kit to be mounted, or if it is two sections mounted on either side of the kit

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:06 am Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Are we talking about the two rails that run horizontal down the hull? Because I thought the 1st Aid box was mounted on the side of the turret.

SHAWN · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 484

first aid kit is mounted on the port side of the hull.
jeff what were you seeing mounting to the turret?

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:18 am Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Nothing, my mind playing tricks. I just went back through my pictures and looked at an "Easy 8", and sure enough, the 1st Ad box was on the hull, not the turret.

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:53 pm Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

I went back today and got some more pictures of the Sherman. Engine compartment, idler wheel housing marks, brackets on the sides, low rear view, and the top of the turret. Man, I almost melted taking these during my lunch. I hope these help with further identification.

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Hi Jeff! Hi Folks!

- SFC_Jeff_Button

Man, I almost melted taking these during my lunch.

Hey Soldier! When it's that hot, take a break! We all love the photos you are so kind to supply us, but burning your hand and melting during your lunch breaks is pushing the edge of a HOBBY. Be carefull!

- SFC_Jeff_Button

It looks like something else was fastened to those rails. Note the line of small holes. Something else I noticed in Jeff's two closeups is there are three bolts or rods sticking out for the hull just above the fenders.

Update post: I think I just figured out what those three rods are for. Their are what is left of a set of six rods where three spare track shoes were carried on the side of the hull!

I wonder if the tank had been used for some kind of stand off armor layout? Shocked

Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

Hi Shermanholics!

[quote="SFC_Jeff_Button"]

Looks like another museum has extended the mounting of a 30 cal machine gun. Jeff, if you can, tell the Museum staff, that is NOT correct and they should remove it.

Anyone else notice that it is only the cooling jacket and doesn't have a barrel inside of it?

Working on my status as a Shemanholic!
Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:43 am Post subject: Re: M4A3 at 4ID museum...

I'll say something but I highly doubt anything will come from it. I just want the museum to know what they have historically. All they seem to know is where it came from when found. They have no unit or build data on anything, (or so it seems). It was the same at Ft Irwin as well. However if they did know what they had, then I wouldn't have the fun / challenge of trying to find out.

toadmanstankpictures · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 704

This tank started out life with VVSS suspension as it has the weld scars on the hull rear where the spare track block holders used to be. I took one of Jeff's pics and blew that area up:

It's also an earlier hull as the front lifting eyes are located inboard from the outside edge of the glacis. Later 47 degree glacis hulls had them on the outside edge.

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