Now, onto the art goodies! Up today is the Sherman lineage:
Sherman M4A1: First rolling off the production lines in 1941, the M4A1 Sherman was a top class main battle tank. It had a 75mm M3 gun that could fire AP, HE, and phosphorous shells among others, formidable armor proof against 37mm and 50mm antitank guns from most ranges, a powerful engine that gave it high speed especially when ungoverned, and its vertical volute spring suspension system (VVSS) gave it a decently smooth ride. It saw first action in Africa where it performed admirably, earning the quoted respect of Rommel himself. In combat, its 75mm gun proved deadly to exposed infantry as well as fortifications thanks to the M3 gun's potent HE round. Panzer IIIs and IVs were easy prey for its AP round. Later in the war though, when Tigers, Panthers, and further upgraded Panzer IVs became commonplace, the M3 gun became obsolete and change became needed.
Sherman M4A3 76(w) HVSS: Over time, many improvements were deemed necessary by the US Army in the M4 Sherman. Its gun was too weak against armor. Its ammunition was prone to catching fire and exploding. Its suspension didn't allow for wide enough tracks to cross boggy terrain. The M4A3 76(w) HVSS which was developed over time to correct these was among the finest Sherman variants produced. The hull front was sloped further to afford better armor protection and simpler production. The M3 75mm gun was upgraded to the M1, M1A1, or M1A1C (pictured) 76mm high velocity gun which proved capable of destroying the best Panzer IVs from the front from long range. Though still lacking power against the heaviest German tanks, it was a significant improvement. "Wet stowage" (glycerine-protected) ammunition racks prevented a hit tank from exploding due to an ammunition detonation. Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS) allowed for a heavier tank while increasing maneuverability due to the wider tracks and increased speed due to the suspension's toughness. This vastly improved tank proved to be a decisive war-winner.
Sherman VC Firefly: Because the Americans were slow at adding a new gun to the underpowered M4 Sherman, the British took many of their delivered tanks and added a touch of British class to them by modifying the turret to accept a powerful 17 pounder antitank gun. To balance it, a counterweight was added to the rear of the turret. Though many different variants of the Firefly were made, the VC was the most common, being built upon the M4A4 usually delivered to England. Though the VC Firefly wasn't as well protected as the M4A3 76(w), nor as fast due to the retention of VVSS suspension, it had a significantly more powerful gun. When the British went into combat, the Firefly was the tank the Germans would target first whenever possible due to their their deadliness. A Sherman Firefly was, after all, the tank that landed the deadly blow on Micheal Wittman's Tiger.
All of these were modeled by TopKnot and skinned by me Topknot did much of the work on the M4A1 skin as well.
