The M4A1(76)W was used by the US armed forced, and by the British, who received 1,330, with the designation Sherman IIA. A total of 3,426 were built between then and the end of the war. The M4A1(76)W was the first of the 'ultimate' design tanks to enter production, with the first being completed by the Pressed Steel Car Company in January 1944. Finally late production models were given the new HVSS suspension, with its wider 23in centre guided track. Later tanks also had the M1A1C or M1A2 versions of the 76mm gun, both of which could carry a muzzle brake. The smaller oval loader's hatch was introduced on the 1,225th tank, in August 1945.
M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER CUPOLA DRIVERS
Other changes included the use of a sharp nosed differential and final drive housing, 2.5in thick front armour, improved drivers seats and a vision cupola for the tank commander.Įarly production tanks were armed with the M1A1 gun, which lacked a muzzle brake, and had a circular loader's hatch in the turret. In order to allow access to the floor racks, most of the turret basket was removed. Another six rounds were carried in a ready use rack in the turret floor, protected by 2.1 gallons of water. Sixty five 76mm shells were carried on either side of the drive shaft, protected by 34.5 gallons of water. In the 'wet' system the racks were moved into the floor. In the original M4 the shells were carried in racks in the sponsons, where they were very vulnerable to damage. The M4A1(76)W carried the 76mm gun and had the new 'wet' shell storage system. The aim was to combine all of the main upgrades and improvements developed since the M4 first entered production in a standard base design, that could be used with the various hull and engine combinations used for the M4. Work on the medium tank M4 series (ultimate design) began in the summer of 1943. The Medium Tank M4A1(76)W/ Sherman IIA was the first 76mm armed version of the Sherman to enter production, and had a cast hull, wet shell storage and a Continental R975 engine.
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