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Work took me to St Louis, so I found the time to stop by the local Sherman in Florissant. Of course its a park/playground, and wouldnt you know it as soon as pulled up a mother with her kid got out of their car - the kid running to the tank... Soon followed by another mother and two of her own kids... And then a couple, and their dog... At one point, there were no less than three kids and a dog on the Sherman... I sat waiting patiently in my car, they had as much right to be there as I did, I wasnt going to try to shoo them away (but they probably did think I was some wierdo stalker)... Eventually, my patience paid off...

Anyway, dont see too many on display with the travel-lock up... Unfortunately, no obvious SNs to be found.







Neil

For a playground piece it looks in pretty good shape. I'm surprised with all the lawyers around that it appears like climbing is encouraged. How were the hatches secured? I probably would have gone over and talked to the mothers and talked to them just to find out what the tenor of the community was and if they realize what they have, but yea I understand the way folks think these days. When I stop at VFWs, etc to take pictures I try to go inside if anyone is there and ask if they would mind if I climb on the vehicle to get pictures of the top. I actually have started using your list as the reason. Something to the effect of I'm part of an internet discussion group on armor history and we're trying to document all the tanks that are set up as monuments around the US. sometimes I throw in the 'volunteer at the Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen' if it doesn't seem like being connected with the guv'mnt will get me shot

Oh yeah, they were climbing all over it - hull, barrel, top of the turret, etc. I'll admit I was thinking, a fall from there could be really bad...

Neil

Hi Bob, Neil,
Being in Uniform always has always got me access to VFW/American Legion tanks and my ID Card helped when in civies. But Since I made my pole camera I really haven't had much need to climb up on a tank unless it's a very hard place to get to.
Unfortunately to many tanks are displayed with the gun over the rear because of "Lawyers" and the eagerness of people to sue. I'm amazed parks don't have chain link fence around the trees to keep kids from climbing them too. Glad to see the folks in Florissant have a little more grasp of reality and let kids actually play on a tank. Who knows, there might be a future contributer to this group because of that. (besides, getting scraps and bruises as a kid builds character).

Joe D

I've haven't had much problem with access, I just figure it's common courtesy to ask if there is anyone there to check with. I agree with the 'building character' If they don't learn how to assess risk then when will they (Of course parents should also help them assess that risk :-))

I was surprised to hear from you today. You already back in-country?

Yep,
Was in Kuwait killing time at the Internet Cafe waiting on a flight with the last post. Now I'm back in the saddle so to speak. Up right now because of Jet Lag.

Joe D

Let me take a small stab at Identifying this Sherman. An M4A3 HVSS built by Fisher. From the glare off the front slope in the first picture, there seems to be the familiar welding "fill" used by Fisher to fill in excess differentail overcut. The front glacis and single large "weep" hole at the rear of the turret splash guard would indicate a build of November 1944 or later. Vehicle also appears to have the T80 metal track as oppossed to the rubber preferred by most crews esspecially after the war.
I've got to credit Joe DeMarco with my new found knowledge on Shermans. I'd love to see this tank in person, (as I would most armor). I've been gone for a while and it's good to be back on here again. Being the Rear-D CSM is sure time consuming! Come Monday the 4th, I'm having Double Hernia surgery which will give me 14 days of convalesence leave so I might just get on here more often. Happy Holidays to all, esspecially Doug, my family looks forward to seeing you again if you ever get this way. Stay safe in your travels.

Hi Jeff! Hi Folks!

Good to hear from you again. I was figuering you were a bit busy. Good luck with your surgery! Take care of yourself.

Sgt, Scouts out!