RyeField Model 76W HVSS Early Type Thunderbolt VII 1/35 Scale RM-5092

Description

The M4 Sherman was an American medium tank of World War II. The first prototypes were built in 1941 and mass production was carried out in the period 1942-1945. In total, approximately 49,000 examples of this tank in all versions were created, making it one of the most produced tanks of the Second World War and the most important tank in the equipment of the Allied armies during this conflict. . The M4 Sherman was powered by a single-engine version of the M4A1 Continental R 975 C4 with an output of 400 hp . The vehicle was armed – depending on the version – with a single 75mm M3 cannon or a 76mm M1 cannon or a 105mm M4 howitzer and two 7.62mm Browning1919A machine guns.

The M4 Sherman was developed as a successor to the M2 and M3 tanks, although it used many components from the latter. Firstly, it only used a slightly modified chassis from the M3 Lee car. When designing the M4 Sherman, the main focus was on the role of an infantry support vehicle and not on fighting enemy tanks – that was the role of American tank destroyers. Only possible clashes with the carts were assumed Pz.Kpfw III and Pz.Kpfw IV. An important role was also played in the serial production of the new tank and the lowest possible production costs. The result was a tank with good armament for 1942 and early 1943, medium armor, but with an inclined front plate, but also with poor maneuverability and – especially in the first versions – very sensitive to fire in case of impact with the engine compartment . At the same time, however, a reservoir was created that could be truly large-scale production and had significant modernization potential. Many development versions were created during the M4 Sherman mass production. Chronologically, the first was the M4A1 version which already had molded armor. Another – M4A2 – had welded armor and a new General Motors 6460 engine of 375 to 410 hp, but much less prone to fire. A version of the M4A3 also appeared, armed with a 105 mm howitzer and powered by a Ford GAA engine with a capacity of 450 HP. Based on the M4A3 version, two sub-versions were created: the M4A3E2 Jumbo with reinforced armor and the M4A3E8 with the HVSS and the 76 mm cannon. An interesting development version was also the T34 Calliope with unguided turret mounted missiles. The M4 Sherman was also supplied in large numbers to the British and Red Army. The former developed a version of the Firefly based on it, with an excellent 17-pounder anti-tank gun. During World War II, M4 Sherman tanks fought in North Africa (1942-1943), Italy (1943-1945), in the battles of Normandy, France and West Germany (1944-1945 ), but also in the Pacific or in the ranks of the Red Army on the Eastern Front. After World War II, the M4 Sherman was used in many countries, including Argentina, Belgium, India, Israel, Japan, Pakistan and Turkey. It also took part in numerous conflicts after 1945, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Six-Day War of 1967.

Assembly and painting required. Kit does not include model cement glue, paint, and tools. Adult supervision where required.

Contents subject to change.