JUMBO
The Sherman tanks were numerous and reliable, but poorly armored and vulnerable. Crews added layers of spare track, logs, sandbags, and applique armor to weak points but German 75mm and 88mm rounds could hit and kill Sherman tanks from any angle at ranges up to 2000 yards. In 1944, the Armor Test Board experimented with a Sherman variant with double the existing armor and a larger, thicker cast turret. These variants actually had thicker frontal armor than a Tiger. The M4A3E2 was heavier and a bit slower, but better suited to the ‘Spearhead Role” in armored and infantry attacks.
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SHERMAN ASSAULT TANK- M4A3E2
One example of the Jumbo’s durability, a vehicle survived 3 head on shots from and 88 mm gun only to be taken out by a fourth round that found the gunners sight aperture. Lucky shot. Initially armed with a 75 mm gun, 3rd army units later up-gunned 100 exampled with the 76 mm M1A1 cannon. Many examples had either .50 cal co axial machine guns or bow mounted flame throwers. In all 254 Jumbos were produced.
