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Why The M3 Lee/Grant Tank Was The Next Best Thing To The M4 Sherman

It goes with out saying that navy tasks, of various levels of secrecy, have been always underway all through the conflict. Progress on them was unpredictable: Some could be accomplished forward of schedule, some would run concurrently, and others nonetheless would not pan out in any respect. The iconic M4 Sherman was being produced in early 1942, with its design being finalized the earlier 12 months. This meant that it was being ready at across the identical time because the Lee and Grant, however couldn’t be produced at such a charge on the time.

The Sherman was based mostly upon the mechanics of the M3 Grant, with a GAA-V8 Ford engine able to 500 hp and a pace of around 26 mph. Its machine weapons (with which it was geared up within the case of the M4A1 mannequin) have been backed up by that very same 75mm primary armament, although, within the Sherman, the latter was mounted within the turret and so may very well be aimed rather more freely.

This, then, was the tank that the M3 Grant/Lee would have been the primary time round, had the Allies had the time and expertise to have made it so.