- #M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER COPOULA DRIVER#
- #M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER COPOULA MANUAL#
- #M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER COPOULA SERIES#
#M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER COPOULA SERIES#
Early series also saw extra 25 mm (1 in) thick applique armor welded over the ammo storage bins and the turret gunner position, later removed. Mid-production they also saw the adoption of duckbills, extended end connectors for the tracks, which improved the grip on soft terrains.
#M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER COPOULA DRIVER#
Driver vision slots were augmented by bullet-proof glass and protective covers. The suspension was the unchanged VVSS, but the transmission was now protected by a one-piece cast steel armored cover.
Most of all, it featured the new liquid-cooled Ford V8 500 hp engine, which was capable of giving a top speed of 42 km/h on road (26 mph), and a 209 km (130 mi) range. The 3071 next had wet ammo stowage and a newer commander cupola. Early versions still had the dry ammunition stowage, direct vision slots for the driver and the 60 degree hull glacis (89 mm/3.5 in). It was produced to a total of 5015 by all manufacturers combined. The M4A3 was first delivered by the Ford Motor Company in June 1942, alone delivering 1690 machines by September 1943. The engine was the modernized Continental R975-C1. The commander cupola was also new, featuring 6 prismatic vision blocks 76 mm (3 inches) thick with laminated bullet-proof glass. Following a painful war experience, the ammo racks and fuel tanks were protected by watery jackets. But the most efficient was the 1943 model 76 mm (2.99 in) M1 & M1A1 L/55, which had a 792 to 1036 m/s (2600 to 3400 ft/s) muzzle velocity with the HVAP ammo, being capable of piercing an 100 mm (3.94 in) steel plate at 450 m (1476 ft). Performance of the regular “short” M2 75 mm (2.95 in) L/31 varied with the ammunition used, to a range from 259 m/s (850 ft/s) (smoke round) to 587 m/s (1926 ft/s) (APC M61), while the longer M3 L/40 allowed a 731 m/s (2400 ft/s) muzzle velocity. 3396 of these improved models were built until March 1945. Production of the regular M4A1 totaled 6281 machines until December 1943, but it was replaced by the M4A1(76)W, which received a more recent 76 mm (2.99 in) M1 main gun. This first major version was introduced early on in February 1942. The gun mantlet also evolved from the M34 to the more protective M34A. Early models had the three-piece bolted nose, while later models had a mixed cast/rolled hull. A total of 6748 M4s (from July 1942 to January 1944) were produced, as well as 1641 of the late variant equipped with a 105 mm (4.13 in) howitzer for infantry support, the M4(105). These included (for all variants) Pressed Steel Cars Co., Pacific Car & Foundry, Baldwin Locomotive Works, American Locomotive Co., Pullman Car, Chrysler’s Detroit Tank Arsenal, Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co., Federal Welder, Fisher and Grand Blanc in Michigan, the last being specially built for the purpose during the war.
At first, production rate was of 1000 M4s a month, but rose quickly as more factories were involved (11 total), to a figure of 2000 each month by mid-1942. They found themselves instrumental in many operations which turned the tide of the war in this sector in favor of the Allies. All of these first batches were sent to the British Army through Lend-Lease, and fought in Africa. The first factory which delivered the M4 was the Lima Locomotive Works. Operating Range: Road 193km - Cross Country 110 km
#M4 SHERMAN COMMANDER COPOULA MANUAL#
Transmission: Clutch - Mechanical Multi Plate Dry Type Gearbox - Manual Synchromesh Type 5 Fwd 1 Rev Controlled Differential Combining Steering and Brakes
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