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Jim_Coles · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 56

From what I have read, I understand that the first two models of Sherman transmission cover were not interchangeable. The three-piece cover (E1232/E4151) fitted the Iowa transmission, while the early one-piece cover (E4188) fitted the Caterpillar transmission. Were the later one-piece cover (E8546) or the final "pointed-nose" cover (E????) designed for specific transmissions or were they interchangeable and could be used for any transmission?

Also, were the Iowa and Caterpillar transmissions specific to certain models or to certain factories, and were there any later transmissions also used in the original production Shermans (not post-war rebuilds)?

Kurt_Laughlin · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 577

The visible structures at the nose of the tank was the Differential Housing (DH), so the transmission used would not have mattered. Bearing this out, the SNL (parts manual) lists only three types of Differential Carriers (the part on the inside that the transmission bolted onto): one for the three-piece DH, one for the single anchor brake DH, and one for the double anchor brake DH. Thus no distinction was made as to the type of transmission (w/ handbrake, w/o handbrake, w/generator mounting bracket, etc.), let alone the manufacturer.

All the differential covers were interchangeable on the hull. (I have a photo of an ex-DD, large hatch, M4A1E9 sporting a three piece differential with the 2AD in 1946. Clearly it was not built with this DH.)

Transmission brands may be correlated to certain assembly plants (as, for example, can be turret castings) but this was an issue of supply, price, and production allocation, not interchangeability.

The installation of DHs was generally evolutionary, going from three-piece to single anchor to double anchor, with the notable exceptions of M4A4s and M7s.

BTW, there were only three (*) DHs: There is no evidence that the so-called "sharp-nosed" DH is anything other than an optical illusion caused by shadows and/or variations between foundries within the same drawing tolerances.

(*) Four if you count the one on the M4A3E2.

KL

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