Would you like to see this in-game?
Note : I am not the original author of this suggestion. I’ve made minor edits, and I am submitting this on behalf of someone who wishes to remain anonymous.
M4A6 Sherman
Hello, I’d like to suggest the final model of the Sherman produced by the US, namely the M4A6. Why? I just think it’s neat.
History
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In 1942, an engine development program for a new M4 variant would start, which ended up having a Caterpillar Tractor Company-made air-cooled radial multi-fuel engine being picked. With an engine picked, the Ordnance Committee would order an experimental medium tank for the engine, designated M4E1. The prototype, which was Chrysler-built, would be based on the M4A4 with its elongated hull and chassis for its large engine. However, the M4E1 would receive some extra changes itself, namely rectangular bulges on the rear deck and floor due to its even larger engine. The engine used would be an air-cooled version of the Curtiss-Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9, which was an engine that was widely used on aircraft at the time, including the B-17 Flying Fortress. Caterpillar Tractor Company would modify the engine to be a fuel-injected diesel, with related changes to the pistons, cylinder heads, and lubricant systems, with everything else staying the same. This modified engine would be known as D200A. Despite the changes, the engine was still a multi-fuel engine, able to take a range of fuels. It would be fitted with a new transfer case that was capable of increasing the shaft speed to 1.5 times the speed of the crankshaft, with the new engine producing 450 Horsepower at 2000 rpm. The Ordinance Committee would change the D200A’s production designation to RD-1820 after having satisfactory testing and performance trials.
The first M4E1 would begin testing at the Caterpillar Proving Ground in December of 1942. By the time of May 1943 to more M4E1s would be shipped to Fort Knox, with a fourth shipped to General Motors Proving Grounds. The testing at Fort Knox would identify problems with the gear train, clutch, and scoring between the piston and cylinder walls. This discovery would let these problems be addressed, and with them addressed, the Ordnance Committee would order 1000 of the engines and would direct 775 of them to be directly installed on the production version of the M4E1, the M4A6, with the rest of the engines being installed on M4A4s for more testing.
Chrysler would begin production of the M4A6 at Detroit Arsenal, with each tank costing $ 64,455. The first M4A6 would be shipped on the 28th of 1943. The M4A6 would have several differences from the M4E1 it’s based on, with the biggest of which being its cast front. Said front would be married to the M4A4’s rear due to the need to accommodate such a large engine. The M4A6’s cast front would feature a sharp nose that improves ballistic protection compared to the more rounded cast of the late M4s. Although the M4A6s had better performance and fuel economy than the previous Sherman variants, production would be discontinued in February of 1944, with only 75 tanks being made and, in turn, being declared Limited Standard. This was because the US army decided to concentrate on gasoline-powered tanks like the M4A3. This left the M4A6s to be used only in training. The British had a name for them under their nomenclature system, “Sherman VII”.
Specifications
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General:
Crew: 5 (Commander, Driver, Co-Driver, Gunner, Loader)
Dimensions:
Length: 238.5 in (6.05 m)
Width: 103 in (2.61 m)
Height: 108 in (2.74 m)
Tread: 83 in (2.10 m)
Fire Height: 88 in (2.235 m)
Turret Ring Diameter: 69 in (1.75 m)
Ground Clearance: 16 in (40.6 cm)
Ground Pressure: 13.2 psi (0.9 kg/cm²)
Powertrain:
Engine: Ordnance Engine RD-1820 (9-cylinder radial)
Power Output:
450 hp (336 kW) @ 2,000 rpm
497 hp (371 kW) @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed synchromesh (1 reverse)
Weight:
Unstowed: 65,800 lbs (29,846 kg)
Combat: 70,000 lbs (31,751 kg)
Performance:
Power-to-Weight Ratio:
Net: 12.9 hp/US ton (14.2 hp/t)
Gross: 14.2 hp/US ton (15.6 hp/t)
Speed:
Sustained: 25 mph (40 km/h)
Maximum: 30 mph (48 km/h) (short duration)
Range: 120 miles (193 km)
Armament:
Main armament:
75mm M3 Gun (Mount M43A1)
Stabilization: Elevation only
Sights:
Direct:
Telescope M55
Periscope M4 with Telescope M38
Indirect:
Azimuth Indicator M19
Gunner’s Quadrant M1
Elevation Quadrant M9
Ammunition: 97 rounds
Traverse:
360° (hydraulic/manual)
Rate: 360° in 15 seconds (24°/sec)
Elevation: +25° to -10° (manual)
Secondary armament:
Machine Guns:
.50 cal M2HB (AA mount): 300 rounds
.30 cal M1919A4 (coaxial): 2,375 rounds
.30 cal M1919A4 (bow mount): 2,375 rounds
Mortar: 2" M3 (smoke): 12 rounds
Armor Protection:
Hull:
Front:
Upper: 2.0 in (51 mm) @ 51°
Lower: 4.25-2.0 in (108-51 mm) @ 0-56°
Sides: 1.5 in (38 mm) @ 0°
Top: 0.75 in (19 mm) @ 83-90°
Floor:
Front: 1.0 in (25 mm) @ 90°
Rear: 0.5 in (13 mm) @ 90°
Turret:
Gun Shield: 3.5 in (89 mm) @ 0°
Rotor Shield: 2.0 in (51 mm) @ 0°
Front: 3.0 in (76 mm) @ 30°
Sides: 2.0 in (51 mm) @ 5°
Rear: 2.0 in (51 mm) @ 0°
Top: 1.0 in (25 mm) @ 90°
Photos Gallery
Sources
5 Likes
At least it isn’t a copy and paste Sherman again
2 Likes
+1, WT doesn’t have enough Shermans.
3 Likes
basically a sherman composite for the us.
1 Like
Heck yeah! A +1 from me! We absolutely need more Shermans in-game, after all, one can never have too many Shermans
2 Likes
naw who on earth says no to a sherman?
+1 from me in retaliation
5 Likes
l2ulan
April 17, 2025, 6:01am
7
+1 for a lesser-known Sherman, good candidate for a unique US Premium or Event vehicle.
Should be noted that it carries the ground-based variant of the Cyclone engine that is claimed to be in the Ram QF 3.7in, which is definitely not 800hp.
2 Likes
No, please gaijin, give this Sherman 800hp too
1 Like
-1 for tech tree, but only because this was a limited standard that never saw any service.
With permission granted, I’ve updated the M4A6 Sherman suggestion format and specifications.
Yeah, obviously. I’d say the US should get it as a premium Sherman rather than as an event reward, similar to how Italy has its premium Sherman Composite.
