DavidKrigbaum on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/davidkrigbaum/art/Prepare-to-Move-M4A2E8-and-M4A1-543133767DavidKrigbaum

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Prepare to Move (M4A2E8 and M4A1)

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Description

M4A2E8 "Fury" and M4A1 "Old Phyllis" move into position during the first day presentation of TankFest 2015's grand finale, "Fury."

From the Tank Museum Facebook page:
"The Museum's Sherman tank, used in the Fury Film, is an M4A2E8 (76)W built by Fisher Tank Arsenal between January and May 1945. There is a very small possibility it was built by the Press Steel Car Company between May and June of 1945, but they only built 21 of this type. Our vehicle is fitted with the armoured exhaust deflector fitted to vehicles from January 1945 which helps narrow the date of production slightly.

A2 indicates that the vehicle is fitted with the General Motors 6046 12-cylinder twin in-line engine. E8 means it is fitted with the Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension, abbreviated as HVSS and nicknamed the ‘Easy Eight’ suspension. Armed with a long 76mm gun and fitted with ‘wet’ ammunition stowage. The main armament ammunition was stored in ammunition boxes with a fluid jacket to prevent ammunition fires. Had the vehicle entered British service it would have been known as a Sherman IIIAY. ‘III’ as that was our designation for the M4A2, ‘A’ for the 76mm gun and ‘Y’ for the E8 suspension.

Britain only received five M4A2(76) vehicles, the vast majority of the 2915 built were sent to the Soviet Union who received 2073. Not all of these vehicles were fitted with the HVSS suspension as production of the E8 equipped tanks only began in December 1944. It is believed that only the Soviet Union used the M4A2 (76)W HVSS in action during World War Two and it’s not clear if they were used in Germany or solely against the Japanese in Manchuria.

In 1946 the Canadian Army received some M4A2 HVSS vehicles to replace their wartime equipment that was worn-out. These tanks had some post-war modifications such as an infantry telephone fitted to the rear hull and a first aid box carried on the left side of the hull.

Incidentally, the US Army Registration Number carried by ‘Fury’ does not belong to any make or model of Sherman Tank. In the 2014 film ‘Fury’ it is playing the part of the far more common M4A3E8. A type which saw extensive service in North West Europe toward the end of World War 2.

Our vehicle came to the Tank Museum in 1985 from the Defence Academy at Shrivenham."


Bovington, UK
Image size
4590x3279px 1.98 MB
Make
Canon
Model
Canon EOS Kiss X7
Shutter Speed
1/640 second
Aperture
F/10.0
Focal Length
28 mm
ISO Speed
400
Date Taken
Jun 27, 2015, 6:05:27 PM
Sensor Size
20mm
© 2015 - 2024 DavidKrigbaum
Comments6
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Great shot. But I have one question: are you sure that the second tank is 'Old Phyllis'? As far as I remember, Old Phyllis in Fury was an M4A1(76), the one on your Picture is an M4A1. But correct me if I am mistaken.