M4 90V

Experimental M4A3 fitted with a T26E3 turret.

There were several attempts to arm an M4 Sherman with a large caliber 90 mm gun, going back as early as October 1942. During this time, a study at the Ballistics Research Laboratory (BRL) at Aberdeen reported on the feasibility of installing a 90 mm gun directly into an M4 turret. The report concluded it would be possible, but the 90 mm Gun M1 being trialed would need a modified recoil slide on the outside of the barrel. The 90 mm ammunition was also noted as being too long to easily handle inside the cramped turret.

Ordnance denied a request to equip M4A3s with this configuration, citing the weapon badly overloaded the M4 and such a weapon would be better suited for the T20 series of vehicles. It was also common thought at the time that it was not the role of a tank to engage other tanks, rather than support the infantry and be used as a weapon of exploitation. Hence the development of specially designed tank destroyers.

Another proposal in the Fall of 1943 was to fit an M4A3 with the turret and armament of an M26 Pershing. Since both tanks had 69-inch diameter turret rings, such a design was possible and an experimental vehicle was even produced. While this prototype used the early vertical volute suspension, it was clear any production version would need to use the horizontal volute spring suspension to help reduce ground pressure.

Although this upgunned M4 appeared to be a decent solution to the problem of increased firepower, it was realized any production quantities of this vehicle would need to wait six months before availability. By that time, the new M26 Pershings would be coming off the assembly lines. It was decided then to drop the project and concentrate all efforts on the M26 Pershing production.

In August 1944, there was also an attempt to acquire British 17-pounders and equip M4A3s with them. However, this proved fruitless since there were a limited number of tanks in reserve to permit the release of this rearmed variant. The idea was revisited in February 1945 when there were more reserves available. 80 17-Pounders were acquired, but there is no recorded use of these guns prior to the end of the war.

The M4 90V or "M4 90mm Version" is a combination of all three of these ideas. One of these is essentially an American copy of the British Sherman Firefly fitted for the M4A3 chassis. While this tank is a Tier VI in the British tech tree, with some mobility and handling improvements to fit the tank up a tier. The 17-Pounder offers a faster-firing alternative to the US 90 mm guns, but with less damage and more penetration.

In fact, the "M4 90V" is nothing new. An icon for the tank has existed for years now, suggesting it's been proposed and for the time being, has been shelved. What I'm doing here is finding a place for it in the regular tech tree.

Guns: 90 mm Gun M1; OQF 17-Pdr; 90 mm Gun M3

Engines: GM 6046 (410 hp); Ford GAA (500 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): M4A3 Modified (76/51/51); T26E3 (M4A3) (102/76/76)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): M4A3 VVS (??); M4A3 HVSS (??)

Hull Armor (mm): 51/20/20

Top Speed: 42 km/h

Crew: 5 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander; Radio)



Parent: M4A3E8
Children: TS-4/3
See Also: M4 BRL

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P., Sherman, 1995