The Sherman Jumbo was an upgunned and uparmored version of the mass-produced base Sherman tank. By Staff Writer
The M4A3E2 or (76) Sherman Jumbo was designated an assault tank and not a tank destroyer as commonly reported in other sources. It provided applique armor to front and sides of the hull, a standard 75mm main gun and HE (High Explosive) ammunition. Other features included a single-unit differential and drive housing and removed headlights.
The turret system was also completely re-engineered to include a commander's cupola and a loader hatch. Original armament was to be the 76mm main gun but the shell of the 75mm armament proved to be more powerful. Some Sherman Jumbos did see the 76mm main gun mounted to their turrets however.
About 250 of these Sherman versions were produced. Please see the M4 Sherman base entry for more details regarding the Sherman line of tanks and chassis and their impact in the Second World War.
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Armored Vehicle Quick Profile
Image Courtesy of the United States National Archives.
1944
Designation:Medium Tank, M4A3E2 (Sherman Jumbo) Classification Type:Assault Tank Contractor:Fisher Tank Arsenal - USA Country of Origin: United States Number Built: 254
Operators: United States
Variants
T6 - Pilot Model Designation by Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
M4 - 1 x 75mm main gun (some 105mm versions as well); welded hull (some with cast front and welded sides); gasoline Continental R975 radial engine.
M4(105) - M4 fitting a 105mm howitzer.
M4(105) HVSS - M4 fitting a 105mm howtizer; fitted with HVSS suspension system.
M4A1 - Continental radial engine; single-piece cast hull; 75mm OR 76mm armament.
M4A1E4 - Upgraded with 76mm M1 series gun.
M4A1(76)W - Upgraded with 76mm M1 series gun; cast hull; gasoline Continental R975 radial engine.
M4A1E8 - Widetrack HVSS suspension systems.
M4A1(76)W HVSS - Widetrack HVSS suspension systems; 76mm main gun.
M4A1E9 - Upgraded M4A1 models with 76mm main gun.
M4A2 - 1 x 75mm main gun OR 76mm main gun; welded hull; diesel GM 6046 2x6 engine.
M4A2E8 - Widetrack HVSS suspension systems.
M4A2(76)W HVSS - Widetrack HVSS suspension; 76mm M1 gun.
M4A3 - Fitted with Ford GAA V-8 gasoline engines; 75mm, 76mm or 105mm main guns; main US Army operational Sherman.
M4A3(75) - 75mm M3 main gun
M4A3(105) - 105mm M4 howitzer cannon
M4A3E2 "Jumbo Sherman" / "Cobra King" - Increased armor; revised turret angles; track-fitted Grousers; 75mm OR 76mm main guns; welded hull; Ford GAA V8 gasoline engines.
M4A3E4 - 76mm M1 main gun
M4A3(76)W - 76mm M1 main gun
E8 - Experimental Designation for ultimate M4A3E8 production model.
M4A3E8 "Easy Eight" - Widetrack with HVSS suspension system; 1 x 76mm M1 main gun; increased armor protection; welded hull; gasoline Ford GAA V8 engine.
M4A3(76)W HVSS - Widetrack with HVSS suspension system; 1 x 76mm M1 main gun; increased armor protection; welded hull; gasoline Ford GAA V8 engine.
M4A3E9 - Widetrack with HVSS suspension system; 1 x 105mm M4 howitzer cannon; gasoline Continental R975 radial engine.
M4A3(105) HVSS - Widetrack with HVSS suspension system; 1 x 105mm M4 howitzer cannon; gasoline Continental R975 radial engine.
M4A3W - 1 x75mm main gun; welded hull; gasoline Ford GAA V8 engine.
M4A4 - Fitted with Chrysler A57 Multibank engine; welded and lengthened hull; 1 x 75mm main gun; models becoming the Sherman "Firefly" tank destroyers mounting the QF 17-pounder main gun.
M4A5 - Reserved for Canadian Sherman production; never used.
M4A6 - 1 x 75mm main gun; cast front with welded sides lengthened hull; diesel Caterpillar D200A radial engine.
105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7B1 (M7 "Priest") - 105mm self-propelled howitzer based on the M4A3 Sherman chassis.
155mm Gun Motor Carriage M12 - 155mm self-propelled howitzer.
Cargo Carrier M30 - Based on M12 sans gun and ammunition storage.
155mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 - Self-propelled 155mm howitzer; based on M4A3 chassis with HVSS suspension
8in Howitzer Motor Carriage M43 - Self-propelled 8" howitzer.
3in Gun Motor Carriage M10 "Wolverine" - Tank Destroyer; based on M4A2 Sherman chassis.
3in Gun Motor Carriage M10A1 "Wolverine" - Tank Destroyer; based on M4A3 Sherman chassis.
90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36 "Jackson" - Tank Destroyer; based on M10A1.
90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1 - Tank Destroyer; based on M4A3 Sherman chassis and hull.
90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2 - Tank Destroyer; based on M10; diesel engine.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32 - Fixed superstructure; sans turret; winch; 81mm smoke mortar.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B1 - M32 systems converted from M4A1 Shermans.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32A1B1 - M32B1 systems fitted with HVSS suspension; later models nixing the 81mm mortar.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B2 - M32 systems converted from M4A2 Shermans.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B3 - M32 systems converted from M4A3 Shermans.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32A1B3 - M32B3 brought to M32A1B1 standard.
Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B4 - M32 systems converted from M4A4 Shermans.
M74 Tank Recovery Vehicle - Based on M32 and converted from M4A3 Shermans with HVSS suspension systems; fitted with crane, tow winch, auxiliary winch and utility winch.
M74B1 - Similar to M74; converted from M32B3 systems.
M34 Prime Mover - M32B1 TRV systems converted to artillery tractor by Chester Tank Depot.
Sherman DD "Duplex Drive" - Amphibious M4 Sherman
M4 Mobile Assault Bridge
M4 Dozer - Fitted with dozer blade to front hull
T15 - Mine Resistant Sherman
E1 - Mine Resistant Sherman
E2 - Mine Resistant Sherman
Mine Exploder R1E1 Roller "Earthworm" - Armor-plated discs
Mine Exploder T1E2 Roller - Development Model; mine-clearer; twin forward 7-disc systems.
Mine Exploder T1E3 "Aunt Jemima" - Twin forward 5 x 10" discs
Mine Exploder M1 Roller "Aunt Jemima - Same as T1E3.
Mine Exploder T1E4 Roller - 16 discs in forward unit
Mine Exploder T1E5 Roller - Development Model; mine-clearer; based on T1E3 but with smaller wheels.
Mine Exploder T1E6 Roller - Development Model; mine-clearer; featured serrated discs
Mine Exploder T2 Flail "Sherman Crab I" - British-designed mine-clearer with forward-mounted flails.
Mine Exploder T3 Flail - Development Model; British-designed flail system; based on British-designed scorpion concept.
Mine Exploder T3E1 Flail - Development Model; based on T3; extended arm structures.
Mine Exploder T3E2 Flail - Development Model; based on T3E1; rotors replaced with large steel drum.
Mine Exploder T4 "Crab II" - British-designed mine flail.
Mine Exploder T7 - Development Model; smaller rollers with twin discs each.
Mine Exploder T8 "Johnny Walker" - Steel plunger system meant to stomp the forward ground area.
Mine Exploder T9 - 6-foot Rollers
Mine Exploder T9E1 - Based on T9; lightened weight.
Mine Exploder T10 - Development Model; remote-controlled mine-clearer.
Mine Exploder T11 - Development Model; fitted with six forward mortars.
Mine Exploder T12 - Development Model; fitted with 23 forward mortars.
Mine Exploder T14 - Development Model
Mine Excavator T4 - Development Model; fitted with standard straight plough.
Mine Excavator T5 - Based on T4; fitted with v-shaped plough instead.
Mine Excavator T5E1 - Based on T4; fitted with v-shaped plough instead.
Mine Excavator T5E2 - Based on T4; fitted with v-shaped plough instead.
Mine Excavator T5E3 - Based on T5E1 and T5E2; adjustable dozer.
Mine Excavator T6 - Based on T5; non-adjustable dozer
Mine Excavator T2 - Based on T4 and T5; adjustable dozer
Mine Excavator E1 - Based on T4 and T5; adjustable dozer
Mine Excavator E2 - Based on T4 and T5; adjustable dozer
Sherman "Firefly" - British conversion of M4 and M4A4 models as tank destroyers; 1 x Royal Ordnance QF 17-pounder main gun.
Rocket Launcher T34 "Calliope" - Rocket Artillery Vehicle; fitted with 60 x 4-6" rocket tubes.
Rocket Launcher T34E1 - Based on T34; fitted with 14 rocket tubes.
Rocket Launcher T34E2 - Based on T34; provision for launching 7.2" rockets.
Rocket Launcher T39 - Enclosed box mounting; 20 x 7.2" rockets.
Rocket Launcher T40 "WhizBang" - Fitted with 20 x 7.2" rockets.
M17 - Same as T40.
Rocket Launcher T72 - Based on T34 with shorter tubes; never produced.
Rocket Launcher T73 - Based on T40; 10 x firing tubes; never produced.
Rocket Launcher T76 - Development Model; rocket launcher; based on M4A1 Sherman; fitted with 7.2 rocket launcher; sans main gun.
Rocket Launcher T105 - Development Model; rocket launcher; based on M4A1 Sherman; rockets fired from enclosed case; sans main gun.
Multiple Rocket Launcher T99 - Development Model; twin enclosed box mounts fitting 22 x 4.5" rockets.
M4A3R3 Flame Thrower "Zippo" - Fitted with flame thrower.
M4 "Grizzly" - Canadian-built Shermans used exclusively training; production by Montreal Locomotive Works.
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