Hey lads. Have seen no reference material as to the existence of the M4A1 with HVSS suspension, having just picked up a good $5 deal on a set of Dragon HVSS with T-80 tracks. On the box side there is a view of a (drawn) M4A1 with HVSS. But I'm maybe doubtful? Help!

There definitely was an M4A1 HVSS, sometimes called the M4A1E8. The Sherman book by Hunnicutt (how ironic) has a couple of pictures of it, and someone actually built an example in an issue of Military Miniatures in Review. The type didn't see combat and was only used as a testbed, but it did exist.

Used to have an M4A1E8 sitting in front of the company area when I was a lieutenant in Germany.

As Ed says, it did exist but wasn't used in combat -- by the U.S. I've seen photos of M4A1E8s training stateside with National Guard units. They were, however, exported to quite a few countires, including quite a few going to France. Some of these tanks eventually made it to South America, Israel and even Uganda.

As Rob points out, it seems like many of these tanks ended up as "gate guards" or parked in front of VFWs. There are a couple of nicely restored M4A1E8s, including one owned by Judge Jim Osborne (of Indiana or Ohio -- can't remember) that is featured on the cover and in a "walk-around" set of photos in George Forty's "M4 Sherman" book.

The Army decided to standardize on the M4A3 and terefore M4 & M4A1 vehicles were not retrofitted with HVSS.

Here's a pic of a Ugandan M4A1(76)W w/HVSS.



Gotta love that lime green paint job!

Hi All,
There's a museum in Ohio, the World War II vehicle museum and learning center that has several M4A1E8's, not to mention M-26 Pershings, a dragon wagon and such. Here's the url: http://www.wwiivehiclemuseum.com/ . HTH.
Regards,
Georg

Has anyone ever seen pics of this tank in National Guard service? About the only pics I ever see are restored ones I plan on building this version based on the DML M51 Sherman and backdating it

I'm pretty sure I have, but I don't have any proof handy. Seems like it was used in the early 50s stateside and maybe in Europe. I might have to see if I can find an old copy of Janes AFV tome at the post library. It also might pay to check on the web to see if any pics appear on National Guard unit history sites (49th Armored Division, perhaps?).

Ken: Where did the photo you posted above come from?

It comes from the FORT SNELLING MILITARY MUSEUM

Here's something that is of great interest:

At the The Showrooms of the National Museum of Military History, Luxembourg website, there is a bit of info on an M4A1E8 that says this: "Sherman tank model M4A1E8, the so-called "Easy 8", wide track, cast hull, high velocity 76 mm gun, displayed outside the museum, is a gift from the Dutch army. Its nickname "Blockbuster 3rd" gives credit to Capt James Leach, then the commander of B Co, 37th Tk Bn of 4th Armored division, who fought in Northern Luxembourg in January 1945. The tank is also equipped with a 50 cal machine gun, a 30 cal coaxial, and a 30 cal bow machine gun in addition to shovel, axe, pick, and crow bar.

Now I know why they call you the KIng of links Ken!!
Great site!!

I can't speak about service with the US army , However M4a1s with HVSS were used extesively from 1956 to 1967 by the IDF. they were involved in the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967.