Forces of Valor - U.S. M4A1 SHERMAN AND SOLDIERS SET France, 1944 1:72 85091

The M4 Sherman, formally Medium Tank, M4, was the primary tank used by the United States during WW II. Thousands were also distributed to the Allies, including the British Commonwealth and the Soviet Union, via lend-lease. In the United Kingdom, the M4 was named after Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, following the British practice of naming their American-built tanks after famous American Civil War generals. Subsequently, the British name found its way in common use in the United States.

The Sherman evolved from the Grant and Lee medium tanks, which had an unusual side-sponson mounted 75 mm gun. It retained much of the previous mechanical design, but added the first American main 75 mm gun mounted on a fully traversing turret, with a gyrostabilizer enabling the crew to fire with reasonable accuracy while the tank was on the move.  The designers stressed mechanical reliability, ease of production and maintenance, durability, standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants, and moderate size and weight. These factors made the Sherman superior in some regards to the earlier German light and medium tanks of 1939-41. The Sherman ended up being produced in large number and formed the backbone of most Allied offensives, starting in late 1942.

The original Sherman were able to defeat the relatively small German tanks such as the Panzer III and IV they faced when first deployed in North Africa. Later, they found themselves more evenly matched against the newer up-gunned and up-armored Pz.Kpfw. IV medium tanks. Sherman were often outmatched by the 45 ton Panther tank and wholly inadequate against the 56 ton Tiger I and later 72 ton Tiger II heavy tanks.  The relative ease of production allowed huge number of the Sherman to be produced. This allowed many divisions, even many infantry divisions, their own organic Sherman assets. Some infantry divisions had more tanks than German panzer divisions did.

Forces of Valor® Sherman is constructed of die cast metal and plastic. The metal turret rotates 360 degrees and has elevating metal cannon. The commander's hatch opens and the commander is included and can be fitted separately. The top portion of the hull is constructed in diecast metal as is the turret and gun. Additional features include rubber tracks rolling over wheels with working suspension.

The Forces of Valor® replica is of the Sherman deployed in France in 1944.

• Die cast metal and plastic construction.
• Working vinyl tracks.
• Rotating turret .
• Elevating gun.
• Comes with a U.S. commander figure and 7 infantry figures.
• No ties or screws for 2013 new packaging, double blister construction

Length: 3.1 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Height: 2.1 inches

Weight: 0.2 lb.

Ages: 14+