Hello Everybody,
I got another question that many have answered or asked already.What does the term Wet and Dry Stowage mean for WW2 Shermans. I see this term used with lots of conversion kits and some model kits .I purchase many reference books I am a book worm they dont really show any differences between them.

Thanx

Hi,

Dry & wet stowage referes to the ammunition stowage with in the tank.

In the early Shermans the ammunition was simply stowed in dry racks and as the Shermans armour was susceptible to penetration by 75 & 88 mm AT guns, was and did quite regularly lead to catastrophic internal fires as the ammo was hit by hot shrapnel.

One method of increasing protection was to retrofit applique armour over the armour stowage in three positions on early Sherman hulls and on the turret cheek this helped but was by no means totally effective.

The other method used on new build Shermans was to fit wet stowage bins where the ammo was stored in a water glycol mix that extinguished fire.

I stand to be corrected but the wet stowage was I think only fitted to hulls with a 47 degree front angle with the larger hatches.

I'm only just learning about Shermans myself but they are so addictive.

Happy modelling
Ant

Fine Scale Modeler puts out what I feel is definitive book on Shermans and I'd recommend that you get one as a reference. If you need more details on wet and dry stowage (which refers to the ammo wells), please let me know and I will PM you the data.
DJ

Hey 210cav,
Do you have a title for that book and possibly an ISBN number? It would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Joe