Picture of the day
- Thread starter jwhc
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the hull of any given firefly could change monthly, they were the biggest target and the most desired in the field so they were hit and repaired more, the brits would frequently weld together hulls from different variants to get a working tank
here is an early cast hull:
a welded hull:
and a hybrid cast front/welded rear:
the turrets were interchangable, so whatever got a 17 pounder in a running tank is what got fixed up
The information and knowledge shared on this thread absolutely astounds me!
I just wanted to thank all the contributors for the amazing pictures, stories and information. Fascinating is an understatement. This thread and topic has become my favorite on CGN. Cheers, Mike
I just wanted to thank all the contributors for the amazing pictures, stories and information. Fascinating is an understatement. This thread and topic has become my favorite on CGN. Cheers, Mike
Moon; you forgot to mention my whimsical trolling, its alright, I'm quick to forgive. Just don't let it happen again 'K? 
Moon; you forgot to mention my whimsical trolling, its alright, I'm quick to forgive. Just don't let it happen again 'K?
Plinker777 you have bin there since the beginning, I still remember your first post!! it was pretty funny hahaha. This thread is one of my favorites too
Moon; you forgot to mention my whimsical trolling, its alright, I'm quick to forgive. Just don't let it happen again 'K?
Maybe you should give a webinar - my attempts at whimsy just get me infractions.
There was a lot of that during the war.
Will if defeat the Germans? Yes? Is it reasonably safe for our troops? Yes? Get it is the field then.
Plinker777 you have bin there since the beginning, I still remember your first post!! it was pretty funny hahaha. This thread is one of my favorites too
I often find that I have to adopt a German/Russian accent to read a lot of Plinker's posts. Then they make a lot more sense to me
. Great job to all and thanks for the education! Cheers, MikeThe majority of the Firefly conversions were done on M4A4 tanks, most of which were supplied to the British. The M4A4 was powered by a multi-bank engine which coupled 5 Chrysler 6 cylinder engines to a common drive. My uncle was a tank fitter in NW Europe during the war and said these were a real b*tch to work on. Some Fireflies were also built on the M4 and M4A1 tanks powered by an aircraft radial engine and the M4A2 Sherman powered by 2 GM diesel engines. The only Sherman which featured a purpose built tank engine was the M4A3 which used a Ford gasoline engine. The US Army kept most of the M4A3s for their own use. The Russians were given the diesel powered M4A2 as were the US Marines due to the availability of diesel fuel from the navy.
Our post-war Shermans were the M4A2s with the twin GM diesels. We were still using these at the Armoured Corps School when I went thru there in the mid-60's. Some were used as gun tanks, others had the turrets removed for use as APCs, and there were even a couple of white painted ones used for live targets for the ENTAC and SS11 anti-tank missiles (with dummy warheads of course). Some reserve armoured units continued to use the Sherman up to 1970 or so. They were an automotively simple and reliable vehicle and made a good trainer. The last CF use of the Sherman that I know of was as a shop tractor at 202 Workshop in Montreal.
Our post-war Shermans were the M4A2s with the twin GM diesels. We were still using these at the Armoured Corps School when I went thru there in the mid-60's. Some were used as gun tanks, others had the turrets removed for use as APCs, and there were even a couple of white painted ones used for live targets for the ENTAC and SS11 anti-tank missiles (with dummy warheads of course). Some reserve armoured units continued to use the Sherman up to 1970 or so. They were an automotively simple and reliable vehicle and made a good trainer. The last CF use of the Sherman that I know of was as a shop tractor at 202 Workshop in Montreal.
O'Kelly's Boys
Regular
- Location
- Grande Prairie
the hull of any given firefly could change monthly, they were the biggest target and the most desired in the field so they were hit and repaired more, the brits would frequently weld together hulls from different variants to get a working tank
here is an early cast hull:
a welded hull:
and a hybrid cast front/welded rear:
the turrets were interchangable, so whatever got a 17 pounder in a running tank is what got fixed up
Learn something new every day. Most were M4A4, if other hull variants were scrounged to mate up with 17 pounder turrets if seems it was somewhat official. The Brits even had nomenclature for the variants that included those for the 17 pounders:
IC - M4
IVC - M4A3
VC - M4A4
VIIC - M4A6
For whatever reason they didn't have a code for M4A2 hulls with 17 pounder turrets, although a cruise around the web says they were created.
Cheers,
O'Kelly's Boys
O'Kelly's Boys
Regular
- Location
- Grande Prairie
Good day fellow Nutz
Cheers
Joe
Something else to note, not a lot of folks (no pun intended) on the streets
I hope this isn't a repost,thought it was a gooder.
Great means of transportation during that time !!
Cheers
Joe
For a definitive history of the Sherman read "Sherman, A History of the American Medium Tank" by R.P. Hunnicutt. This is a well researched and lavishly illustrated 576 page book which will tell you everything you want to know about the Sherman and it's derivatives. I've had my copy for more than 30 yrs. Paid $45 for it and I see it on Abe Books now for $150-$907.
Plinker777 you have bin there since the beginning, I still remember your first post!! it was pretty funny hahaha. This thread is one of my favorites too
Kudos to you brother. I have posted from photobucket in the past and found it a royal pain in the a$$. You sir are a techno pro! I also want to extend my personal thanks to all that have contributed to this thread...CGNers are an awesome bunch. Cheers and keep 'er comin'.
