T74195 Michael M4A1 Sherman II

T74195 Michael M4A1 Sherman II, a photo by relex109.com on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
The First Lend-Lease Sherman

The British established a Tank Mission in Washington DC in 1940 under the leadership of Michael Dewar, head of British Timken. The original idea was to persuade the Americans to build British tanks but it was later deemed wiser to stick to American designs. At first tanks, like other munitions, had to be paid for but in March 1941 President Roosevelt's Lend-Lease Act came into force. Equipment was loaned to Britain in exchange for American use of British bases.

Design of the M4 Medium Tank dates back to April 1941. A pilot model was ready in September 1941 and production began in February 1942. The design followed that of the Medium M3 (Grant) in terms of engine, transmission and suspension but the hull was quite different, being surmounted by a fully rotating turret carrying the main armament. The first version, classified M4A1, featured a cast hull whereas other versions were welded. Production began at the Lima Locomotive Works and our exhibit is the second production model.

In Britain the tank was christened the Sherman and this is almost certainly the oldest example of a Sherman tank to survive. It has two significant features not seen on later production Shermans. One is the main armament sight, set in the top of the turret; the other is the extra pair of machine-guns, operated by the driver, at the front. The tank was named MICHAEL in honour of Michael Dewar and when it arrived in London it was displayed on Horse Guards Parade as the first Sherman tank to be delivered under the Lend-Lease scheme.
Other Numbers

NumberType
3255Original Accession
T 74195Serial
1955.1015
Main utility type

Medium/Cruiser
Military unit

Royal Armoured Corps
Country of Use

U.K. (1942)

Production
Object Production

RoleAttributionDatePlaceNotes
Manufactured1942Lima Locomotive WorksUnited States
Era

World War 2
Nationality

American

Location
Current Location

BOVTM - B18 - WW2 Hall - Britain at Bay

Physical
Features

Part NameDescriptionNotes
Tracks/WheelsFull Tracked
Armament - Main Weapon TypeGun - 75 mm Gun & .50 Machine Gun (Turret)
Armament - Secondary Weapon Type4* .30 Machine Guns (3 Hull, 1 Turret)
EngineWright Whirlwind (Continental) R975 EC2, 9 cylinder
TransmissionSynchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
SuspensionVertical volute spring
Dimensions

Part NameDimensionValueUnitPrecisionNotes
CrewNumber5
OverallWeight32.5tons
Speed - RoadMaximum24mph
FuelTypePetrol
Armour Thickness - HullMaximum50.8mm
Main GunCalibre75mm
Engine OutputPower400bhp@ 2400 rpm
FuelVolume175gall
RangeRadius120ml
ProjectileNumber75rounds
OverallLength5.84m
OverallWidth2.62m
OverallHeight2.74m

Info from www.tankmuseum.org/ixbin/indexplus?_IXSPFX_=templates/sum...(B*+in+mus_current_location_building+index+mus_text_location)=.&_IXtext=M4A1+Tank+Medium