Tanks to the Front

[centurion]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
"HVSS" refers to the 'Horizontal Volute Suspension System' which is clearly evident in both photos (note also the sprocket and track). "T23" really refers to the turret developed to house the 76mm gun and was applied to the developmental version of the tank; the tank pictured is almost certainly an M4A3E8, which was the service version in the American forces. It's still a Sherman, albeit somewhat heavier with different frontal plate etc.

Canadians had an M4A2E8 which is visually almost identical and which served in Militia units into the 70's. The interesting thing is that when our tankers went to Korea, we swapped out our Achilles' TDs for American-supplied 'A3E8s. Our E8s have only ever seen combat in Israel...

The T 20 series was developed to replace the M4. It had a completely new hull, engine and turret. In this series were the T20, T20E3,T22, T23 and T23E3. None saw service. The T20E3 and T23E3 both had Torsion bar suspension to replace the HVSS. The 23E3 is clearly the tank in Les's picture - it aint a Sherman - see below. Just look at the hull shapes of the Sherman and the T23