Hobby Master 1/48 Ground Power Series
HG1004
Sherman M4A3 75MM, Company B
41st Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division
Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 30, 1944, "Barracuda"
Limited Edition 500 pieces
THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES
NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT
Authentic Detailing
Pre-Painted by professionals
Accurate paint colors
Markings Tampo (pad) applied
Fully Assembled
Die-Cast Model
True to Scale (1:48)
Weathering and insignias
Turret turns
Main gun elevates
Metal chassis, hull, turret and main gun
Realistic tracks
For over 50 years a 75mm Sherman M4A3 painted with the markings for Company C of
37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armoured Division stood guard in McAuliffe Place, a small
square in the center of Bastogne Belgium and printed on it was the name “Cobra King”.  
This was the name given to the lead tank in General Patton’s relief of the troops in
Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
After years of standing in the rain, sun and wind the tank was in need of an overhaul.
The City of Bastogne and the Belgian Army jointly decided to have the necessary work
done to repair the years of neglect.
In November 2006 the tank was lifted from its foundation and trucked to the Belgian
Army Armory where the work would be done. It was decided that after years of existing
as an imposter the tank would be painted and restored with its original name, Company
and Battalion markings. It turns out this tank actually belonged to Company B, 41st
Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division and was named Barracuda. Apparently during the
Battle of the Bulge on January 2 1945 two tanks became separated from the others and
strayed into enemy forces. In an effort to retreat one tank was destroyed killing all its
crew while Barracuda became stuck in the snow and mud and was knocked out by a
German anti-tank weapon.
The Tank Commander Staff Sgt. Wallace Alexander was severely wounded and died a
few days later. Gunner Cpl. Cecil Peterman and Loader Pfc. Dage Herbert were
wounded and captured. The driver Tech/4 Andrew Urda and Bow Gunner Pfc. Ivan
Goldstein were uninjured but captured. Peterman and Herbert received a small amount
of first aid and were sent to a prison camp. Goldstein and Urda weren’t as lucky and
were taken to work as slave laborers. After discovering Goldstein was a Jew he and
Urda narrowly escaped execution but instead were severely over worked and under fed.
Eventually they ended up in the same camp as Peterman and Herbert. The men
managed to hang on and were liberated but Goldstein and Urda were in such poor
shape from starvation they had to spend months recovering in hospital.
Barracuda with its new paint and markings was ready to return to the same place in
McAuliffe Place but on a new foundation. The date for the rededication was set for May
23, 2007 with town officials as well as representatives from the Belgian Army. Some
representatives from the 11th Armored Division Association were also present but sadly
Ivan Goldstein, the only living crew member of Barracuda was unable to make the
journey.
The tank had been lifted into position early in the morning and its turret placed beside it.
Later that morning the crowds gathered and watched as the turret was slowly placed on
the tank completing the restoration. The crowd began to cheer and applauded followed
by a few words from the Mayor and then followed by one of the Mayor’s staff explaining
the history and the process of the restoration. When he was done white doves were
released as the band played the Star Spangled Banner followed by the Belgian National
Anthem.
This was followed by a reception where Belgian citizens expressed their gratitude for
the sacrifices made so they could have their freedom. The tank stands as a reminder
that the free world must stand guard against tyranny so the events of WWII and all wars
will never happen again.


History of the M4A3 (75mm)
The prototype of the M4 was designated the T-6 and appeared in September 1941.
This medium tank would go on to be one of the most important pieces of armor in WW II.
Its production number of approximately 55,000 of all versions was only surpassed by the
Soviet T-34 57,000 of all its versions. About 44,000 were armed with the
75mm Gun M3, with 6,465  76mm Gun M1, and 4,180 armed with the 105mm Howitzer
M4. At production start up 1,000 units a month came off the assembly line with that
number increasing to 2,000 per month when all 11 plants were up and running.
These medium tanks played a major role in Allied victories in every TO around the world
during WW II. With the advent of the M4 in 1941 came a number of improvements over
the M3 series that this new tank was replacing.
Instead of the fixed gun locations on the M3 a 75mm gun was relocated to the turret of
the M4 and this allowed for 360-degree coverage. Also the elevation and depression of
the new gun location was increased giving total combat area coverage. The M4A1
introduced a cast hull where the previous models had welded hulls. All versions of the
M4 had cast turrets and sat on a ball bearing race and was recessed to protect the
crew. It was realized within the first year that the early production M4s were not combat
capable against their opponents. In 1943 a firm commitment to “win the war” was made
and the Sherman would be the vehicle to use. This meant that the tank would have to
undergo some major changes.
The late production version of the 75mm first rolled out of the factories in February 1944
with an angled front hull and 63.5mm armored plate. The Sherman went through various
gun and armour upgrades throughout WWII as a result of combat experience. The
75mm (M2 L/31) cannon of the early M4’s was upgraded to the higher muzzle
velocity 75mm (M3 L/40). To the turret, a cupola for the commander and hatch for the
loader were added. This version was also equipped with wet ammo stowage bins, which
helped prevent internal fires and explosions. This occurrence was common knowledge
as the Americans' nickname for the Sherman was the ZIPPO, after the lighter (lights first
time, every time), while the Germans called it the TOMMY COOKER or “Ronsons”.
Late models had improved cupola, a loaders hatch, and wet storage for ammunition.
The ammunition was stored in water-protected racks below the turret instead of in the
sponsons. Ten boxes on the hull floor held 100 rounds and needed 37.1 gallons of
water with a further gallon needed to protect the four ready rounds. The water
contained ethylene glycol to prevent freezing and a corrosion inhibiter known as
"Ammudamp". The Fisher Tank Arsenal manufactured "wet" storage 76mm and 75mm
armed models.
In 1944 the Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS) with a wide center guide track
was fazed into production this enhanced mobility over rough terrain and enabled the
Sherman to keep up with the once much faster Panthers. Units produced with HVSS
suspension were called "Easy Eights". The earlier VVSS (Vertical Volute Spring
Suspension) had a much narrower track that made it difficult for the Sherman to
maneuver on soft ground and mud. The VVSS had to use return rollers to prevent the
track from jumping off the drive wheels or
snagging. HVSS springs lie flat on the bogie assembly and are fitted in opposed pairs.
Its most obvious features are dual wheels with a shock absorber above the cylindrical
spring units.
Over 44,000 were armed with the M3 75mm Gun. Production figures for "wet" storage
75mm armed models totals 3,071 tanks and ended in March 1945. With continual
upgrades the Sherman became a very nimble weapon that was reliable and easy to
maintain. Never as technically advanced as the German Tigers but the sheer numbers of
M4s and T-34s that could be thrown at the Germans would overwhelm them and in the
end would assure victory.

Specs for the M4

Designation: M4 General Sherman
Also Known As: M4 Sherman
Classification: Medium Tank
Service Date: 1942
Weight: 29.62 tons
Length: 19 feet, 4 inches
Height: 9 feet
Armor: 0.99 - 1.97 inches
Maximum Speed: 24 mph
Maximum Range: 99 miles
Crew: 5
Armament: 75mm main gun; 3 x .30 caliber machine guns (1 x Anti-Air Defense .50
caliber (12.7mm) machine gun; 1
x .30 caliber (7.62mm) Co-axial machine gun; 1 x .30 caliber (7.62mm) bow machine gun.
Ammunition: 97 rounds (75mm gun); 4,750 rounds (Machine guns)
Models: M4 (Wright engine/welded hull); M4A1 (Wright engine/cast hull); M4A2 (GM
Diesel engine); M4A3 (Ford GAA
engine); M4A4 (Chrysler/long hull); M4A6 (Part-cast hull)
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