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Forums - Research / WW2 |
This WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to WW2 (1939-1945) subjects. |
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| Subject: | Re: M4A1 big-hatch 75mm |  |
| Date: | Apr 14, 2008 |
| From: | mike foncannon | |
DK,
The US Army was already transitioning to loader's hatches in the turret and large driver's hatches for the hull during the December-February time period when most of the M4A1 Shermans modified for US DD tanks were produced.
Actually, the big hatch hulls were meant for the new 76mm gun turrets that were to start production in JAN/FEB 44, but there was a hold up on their production.
It was serendipity that Eisenhower made an emergency order for DD tanks and, because of the 76mm delay, the M4A1 assembly line was free to put the produced large hatch hulls to good use while using up the remaining 75mm turrets and small hatch hulls on DD tanks.
So, it is that the US DD tanks are found with all kinds of combinations of old and new hulls and turrets. Luck of the draw if one got a large hatch hull or a turret with a loader's hatch.
You will also find a few "flyers" from this batch that were used for non-DD experiments like the "Aunt Jemima" mine rollers and the E13-13 flamethrower.
hth,
mike |
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