- Yes
- No
The M4A4E1 was the original prototype for the M4 and M4A3 105mm howitzer Shermans. Compared to the production variants, it gets a vertical stabilizer and power turret traverse, solving the biggest complaints in-game about the M4A3 (105). However, it does have several deficiencies too, mostly due to it being based on the M4A4 chassis. Regardless, it would be a good complement to the M4A3 (105) currently in-game.
History
Even during its original design phase, the Sherman was meant to be able to mount a 105mm howitzer. Therefore, when production just started in 1942, the development of a mount for the 105mm simultaneously began. These prototype mounts were finished in November and were designated the combination mount T70. It had a cast gun shield with a maximum thickness of 3 inches (76.2mm) and carried an M2A1 105mm howitzer and a .30 coaxial machine gun.
The mount was fitted to two M4A4s at Detroit Arsenal, which were then designated as the M4A4E1. These tanks retained the elevation gyrostabilizer and Westinghouse power traverse. Gun elevation was between +33˚ and -4˚. They could carry 58 rounds of 105mm ammunition. One M4A4E1, serial number 5868 was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, where tests on it began on 7 December. It is pictured in the image at the top, photographed in January 1943. The other pilot vehicle was sent to the Armored Board at Fort Knox.
Tests on both vehicles showed that the M2A1 howitzer wasn’t suited for vehicular operation. The breechblock slid to the wrong side, which meant the loader had to reach over the gun breach to close it. The continuous pull-type firing mechanism (typically used on towed artillery and activated by pulling a lanyard) was unsatisfactory and the counter-recoil buffer was insufficient. Finally, the large and heavy cast gun shield unbalanced the turret so much that the power traverse could not function if the tank was on a slope (sources disagree on whether it’s a 30 degrees slope or a 30 percent slope; hopefully this defect won’t be reproduced in-game, so we won’t have to worry about the exact numbers).
The story of the M4A4E1 ends here, although I shall go on a bit more about the 105mm Sherman design for the sake of completeness. New modifications to rectify the aforementioned issues were approved at a Fort Knox conference in February 1943. The new prototypes would receive several improvements: a new 105mm howitzer, designated the T8 and standardized as the M4, with lighter weight and better ergonomics; a redesigned mount, standardized as the M52, also with lighter weight to solve the turret imbalance problem and improved elevation range to +35˚/-10˚; and increased ammo capacity to 68 rounds. Unfortunately, the stabilizer and power traverse were also removed. These prototypes were designated as the M4E5 and became the basis for the production 105mm Shermans. The power traverse returned in some late model M4A3 (105)s (presumably the one in-game is an earlier model). Although these only arrived after the end of World War II, some saw service in the Korean War.
Specifications
Crew: 5
Armor: turret 76mm front, 76mm gun mantlet max; hull 50.8 front; overall, apart from 3-inch thick gun shield, all identical to regular M4A4
Armament: M2A1 105mm howitzer; HE, HEAT, smoke; vertical stabilizer. .30 coax MG. .30 or .50 pintle MG (only image of it shows it with a pintle .30 MG, may have been able to mount a .50 M2 like regular Shermans).
Gun elevation: +33˚/-4˚
Turret traverse speed: 24˚/s
Engine: Chrysler multibank; 425 hp
Power to weight: 13.2hp/t (approx., presumed to be same as M4A4)
Max speed: 41km/h
More pictures
Side view of the M4A4E1 at Fort Knox; notice the large and strangely shaped mantlet
Image of the gun breech of the M2A1 howitzer; note how the breechblock slides to the right, while the loader is situated on the left, requiring him to reach over or around the breech to lock it
In-game
The M4A4E1 isn’t necessarily superior to the M4A3 (105) currently in-game. While it gets a stabilizer and power traverse, it also has poor gun depression, armor weak spots, and worse mobility. Therefore, its playstyle is going to be slightly different. Staying on the move is more important since standing still makes it easy for the enemy to target the two hatch protrusions that can be penetrated by many tanks even in a downtier. The stabilizer and increased turret traverse speed helps with reaction time when mobile, allowing you to get the first shot off. Overall, it should be a good tank to put at BR 2.7/3.0.
Sources
- “Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank” by R. P. Hunnicutt
- “Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament”
- Chrysler M4(105) and M4A3(105) Shermans
- Medium Tank M4A4E1
