Freaky Sherman question

[fubar]

Just remembered seeing this Sherman at Bovington and remembered being totally confused by the number of MG's in the front.....



...any ideas why it's like that?

The info board you can see in the picture just talked about a standard M4A1 with no explanation of the extra fowerpower. ???

P.S. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

 

[Big-John]

I believe it is the first production Sherman from Lima Locomotive works. The twin Mg’s in the front hull where very very early features. Not sure how many where produced like this, but not many.

 

[fubar]

Ah cool, thanks for that.

It's always bugged me why it looked that way. ;D

 

[schweinhund227]

Similar but not the same!!!

Prototype of the M4A2, still with the fixed machineguns in the front


A prototype of the M4A2 was finished in April 1942 and was shipped to Aberdeen for testing. At the same time, the production was also started at the Fisher Tank Arsenal and the Pullman Standard Car Company. It was the first production of welded hulls (slightly earlier then the M4). The first models had still the early suspension and the two fixed machineguns at the front. During testing adaptations were made to the M4A2. To speed up the production some features were welded to the front plate, such as the protruding pieces for the driver and co-driver. Also the antenna socket was welded onto the front plate. It’s a good point to recognize the M4A2 from the other M4's.


Info taken from (http://www.strijdbewijs.nl/tanks/sherman/m4eng1.htm)