I have seen photos of composite hulled Shermans that had either small hatches or large hatches. Is there anyone or site that has some more information on these two sub variants?

Well. What I know is that all the Composite M4s were produced at the Detroit (Chrysler) Tank [auto-censored]nal (I'm in a coffee shop about 3 miles from that place ironically). Their production ceased at the end of 1943 -- with a few leftover hulls being used as pilots for the M4 (105) howitzer tanks.

It goes to reason (this is only a guess) that the small hatch versions were few in number in relation to the big hatch ones. My rationale is that the composite program was to upgrade ballistic protection. This corresponded with the introduction of other upgrades such as the big hatch. Why upgrade one area when you can upgrade several at once?

All the photos I've seen of M4 composites show the lg hatch type. I've not seen any in-action pictures of sm hatch M4 composites. Can you direct me to any Robin?

I'll look at Hunnicutt tonight and see how longthe production series lasted to see parallels with other upgrades and edit this post.

RC

Sorry, Rob, No help with the requested website, but I stuck my nose in Hunnicutt to see if I could find anything. Hunnicutt is not much help, as perhaps you have already checked it. Looking in other references, have yielded little more.

I suspect that they never really made a change in designation and simply switched from small to large hatch composite 75mm M4s as production allowed.

I hope Roy has more insight, as I am curious as well.

The small hatch composites were very few in number and were the pilot production batch. I have yet to see an in action shot of one but would not rule out these being used in action. At the time when Hybrid production was commencing the hull of the M4A1 cast was being revised to a large hatch configuration hence the change in the composites. What is notable is the amount of turret configurations on the production composites. The earlier models had the mid production Low bustle with cast in cheek and no pistol port whilst some came with very late LB with Pistol port and cheek (some with all round cupola even) & loaders hatch. The High bustle turret with and without all round cupola was also fielded.
Cheers
AL

I did check Hunnicutt, Google, Osprey, Concord, George Forty and several other books. I want to build one using the various 1/72 scale kits. Step one, figure out what cast hull to use (small or large hatch), secondly which turret to use.

I've seen photos, most likely at APG or the factory, of the small hatched hull, but none in action. But, I'm smart enough to know that just because there isn't photographic evidence, that doesn't mean much when talking Sherman variants.

The best info comes from MMiR's Sherman guide, but it really doesn't spell out the turret/hull combination.