Regan Brown
The M4 Sherman tank was the most commonly used American tank in World War II, with over 50,000 produced between 1942 and 1945. The M4 Sherman was employed by the US Army and Marine Corps, as well as British, Canadian, and Free French forces. The fuel tanks of the Sherman were accessed from the rear engine deck, which had five armoured covers. The fuel system on the M4A3 is considered simple by today's standards, with two-barrel carburettors from Bendix-Stromberg.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number produced | 49,324-50,000+ |
| Years of production | 1942-1946 |
| Countries that used it | US, UK, Canada, Free France, China, Soviet Union |
| Weight | M4A3E2 Jumbo: heavy |
| Width | Standard track width was considered too narrow; "Duckbills" added width as a stopgap solution |
| Engine | Ford GAA |
| Fuel system | Simple, similar to contemporary automotive systems |
| Carburetors | Conventional two-barrel carbs from Bendix-Stromberg |
| Access to fuel tanks | From the rear engine deck, under armored covers |
| Fuel tank condition after fire | Often found intact |
| Fire prevention | Two fixed 10-pound CO fire extinguishers, triggered from inside and outside the tank; two 4-pound CO fire extinguishers; a small decontaminated apparatus called the M2 |
| Ammunition stowage | Moved to the hull floor in later models, surrounded by water jackets ("wet stowage") |
| Suspension | Durable, with few volute spring failures; bogie wheels had erratic failure rates |
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What You'll Learn
- The fuel tanks were accessed from the rear engine deck
- The M4A3 fuel system was similar to automotive systems of the time
- The Sherman tank was notorious for its flammability
- The Sherman tank's fuel tanks were often found intact after a fire
- The Sherman tank's fuel system used the same parts across models
The fuel tanks were accessed from the rear engine deck
The M4 Sherman Tank was the most commonly used American tank during World War II, with over 50,000 produced between 1942 and 1945. The tank was used extensively by the US Army and Marine Corps, as well as British, Canadian, Free French, and Chinese forces. The fuel tanks of the Sherman Tank were accessed from the rear engine deck, which featured armoured covers. There were five armoured covers in total, with three, two, or four covers for the gas tanks, and one for the auxiliary generator's gas tank.
The M4 Sherman Tank was developed in the early 1930s, with the M3 series initiated in July 1940. The M3 saw combat in North Africa in 1941, used by British forces. The M3 was found to be under-gunned, but its mechanical performance was impressive. The M4 Sherman Tank entered full production in late 1942, replacing the M3. The M4 was employed in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Western Europe, and the Pacific theatre.
The fuel system of the M4A3 Sherman Tank was considered simple by today's standards and had similarities to automotive systems of the time. The M4A3's carburetors were conventional two-barrel carbs from Bendix-Stromberg. The M4 Sherman Tank was notorious for its flammability, earning it the nickname "Ronson" after a lighter with the slogan "lights every time". Despite this reputation, the fuel tank was often found intact after a fire, with tankers describing "fierce, blinding jets of flame" consistent with burning pressurized hydraulic fluid rather than gasoline fires.
The Sherman Tank's suspension was generally durable, although the bogie wheels had an erratic failure rate. Crews of the Sherman Tank requested improvements to general storage, seeking easier access to bins that were resistant to dirt and water accumulation. The tank featured two fixed 10-pound CO fire extinguishers that could be triggered from inside or outside the tank, as well as two four-pound CO fire extinguishers mounted on brackets. The crew's needs were considered, with specific storage for two days' worth of rations for the five-man crew.
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The M4A3 fuel system was similar to automotive systems of the time
The M4 Sherman tank was the most commonly used American tank in World War II, with over 50,000 produced between 1942 and 1945. The M4A3 was a specific model of the M4 Sherman tank, built by the Ford Motor Company in 1943.
The M4A3 Sherman had four fuel tanks in dry storage, while the M36B1 had four tanks that functioned as two large tanks, with one filler and shut-off valve per pair on the back deck. On wet hulls, the fuel tanks were separated into four individual tanks, each with its own filler and shut-off valve. The tanks were made of steel and could be easily removed for repair. The fuel tanks were accessed from the rear engine deck, which had five armored covers: three, two, or four for the gas tanks, and one for the auxiliary generator's gas tank.
One interesting feature of the M4A3 fuel system was the hand priming pump in the driver's position, which allowed the driver to pump fuel directly into the intake to start the tank. The fuel shut-off valves were operated from inside the tank and were located on the rear firewall. Depending on the type of fuel tanks, there were either two or four valves.
The M4A3 fuel system used similar parts across different Sherman models and motor types, which was advantageous for maintenance and repair.
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The Sherman tank was notorious for its flammability
The M4 Sherman Tank was the most commonly used American tank in World War II, with over 50,000 produced between 1942 and 1945. The Sherman tank was notorious for its flammability and was nicknamed the "Ronson" after a lighter with the slogan "lights every time". However, some sources dispute this claim, stating that the Sherman was tied with the Panzer IV as the "least likely tank to catch fire" during the war.
The fuel tanks of the Sherman Tank were accessed from the rear engine deck, with armoured covers. The fuel system on the M4A3 Sherman was similar to automotive systems of the time. The carburetors were conventional two-barrel carbs from Bendix-Stromberg. The fuel tanks of the Sherman Tank were often found intact after a fire, indicating that the fires were not gasoline-related.
One possible reason for the Sherman's flammability could be the type of fuel it used. There is a common misconception that Sherman tanks ran on highly flammable aviation fuel, but this is incorrect. Save for the diesel variants, the engines in the M4 mediums ran on 80-octane mil-standard fuel, which was a higher octane than the fuel used by other nations. This fuel was less flammable than the fuel used by other countries during World War II.
Another factor contributing to the Sherman's flammability could be its design. The Sherman tank had a high centre of gravity, making it easier for enemy fire to hit. Additionally, its narrow-set tracks struggled to negotiate muddy terrain compared to its German and Soviet counterparts. The Sherman's engine also periodically stalled under high load due to interrupted fuel supply, which may have contributed to its flammability issues.
Despite its flammability, the Sherman tank was well-regarded by many Soviet tank crews for its reliability, ease of maintenance, and good firepower. The Sherman also had an auxiliary power unit (APU) that kept the tank's batteries charged without running the main engine, which was advantageous over other tanks such as the T-34.
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The Sherman tank's fuel tanks were often found intact after a fire
The M4 Sherman tank was the most commonly used American tank during World War II, with over 50,000 produced between 1942 and 1945. Despite being frequently outgunned by German tanks, the Sherman was easier to maintain and repair, often on the battlefield itself. The tank's reliability and ease of maintenance were appreciated by Soviet tank crews, who also complimented its generally good firepower and auxiliary power unit.
However, the Sherman had a high center of gravity, making it easier to hit by enemy fire. Its narrow-set tracks also made it less mobile on muddy terrain compared to its German and Soviet counterparts. In addition, the Sherman was notorious for its flammability, earning nicknames like "Ronson" and "Tommy Cooker". Despite this reputation, fuel fires in the Sherman were less common and less deadly than ammunition fires.
In many cases, the fuel tank of the Sherman was found intact after a fire. This can be attributed to the fact that fuel typically does not ignite as readily as ammunition, which is designed to explode and burn at extremely high temperatures. The introduction of \"wet stowage\" in later Sherman models further reduced the chances of a fire after a hit, lowering the risk of ammunition igniting and causing a catastrophic explosion.
The Sherman's fuel system was relatively simple and similar to automotive systems of the time. The fuel tanks were accessed from the rear engine deck, which had armored covers. The fuel pump was cam-driven and typically sourced from major auto manufacturers. One notable feature was the hand priming pump in the driver's position, allowing the driver to pump fuel directly into the intake to assist with starting the tank's massive engine.
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The Sherman tank's fuel system used the same parts across models
The M4 Sherman was designed to be more versatile and easier to produce than previous models, which proved vital as the United States entered World War II. It became the most-produced American tank of the conflict, with a total of 49,324 units built, including various specialised variants. Its production volume was surpassed only by the Soviet T-34 during World War II. The Sherman tank was used in all combat theatres, not only by the United States, but also by Great Britain, France, China, and the Soviet Union.
The M4A3 Sherman's fuel system was similar to contemporary automotive systems, and this technology remained largely unchanged until the 1980s when fuel injection became more common. The carburetors were conventional two-barrel carbs from Bendix-Stromberg, with simple linkages tying the two carbs together. While this made tuning easier, good fuel distribution to the cylinders was challenging.
The reliability of the R975 engine was improved through significant changes, resulting in the R975-C4. Engine power increased from 432 to 493 hp, and fuel consumption decreased by 10%. The new engine was approved for production in June 1943, and it offered increased power, decreased oil consumption, and lower cylinder temperatures. The Ford GAA engine was also used in many Shermans, becoming the motor of choice for the US Army.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tanks were accessed from the rear engine deck, which had armoured covers.
The fuel system in the Sherman Tank was quite simple and similar to automotive systems of the time. It used carbureted vehicle technology, with two-barrel carbs from Bendix-Stromberg.
The Sherman Tank's fuel system was quite basic compared to modern fuel injection systems, which started to become more common in the 1980s.
Yes, there were reports of engines stalling due to interrupted fuel supply and carbon deposits on the cylinders. Oil accumulation was also an issue, leading to engine problems.
The simplicity of the Sherman Tank's fuel system made it easier to maintain and repair, even on the battlefield. This was a significant advantage during combat situations.
