[dragoon500ly]

The Sherman started out as the T-6 developmental tank of April, 1941. With a new casting process allowing for a larger turret, the 75mm sponson mount could be safely deleted. The turret was also designed with a removable front plate to permit the fitting of different armament combinations. Initially, the T-6 was fitted with a 75mm M-2 (the short 75); but a twin 37mm; a 105mm howitzer and British 6-pounder mounts were all designed.

It quickly became apparant that the 75mm version would be the preferred mount, but there were problems with the 75mm M-2 gun. The new M-3 75mm gun (the long 75), now entering service with the M-3 Lee was selected as the new main armament.

The 75mm M-2 and M-3 tank cannons were developments of the original 75mm pack howitzer, being fitted with semiautomatic breeches and longer barrels. The M-2 is a 75mm/31.1 (barrel length 91.75-inches) and the M-3 is a 75mm/40.1 (barrel length 118.38-inches).

The standard armor piercing round was the APC round. I found a comparsion of the armor penetration of the various calibers to be of intrest:

These are the Aberdeen PG test results against Homogeneous armor at 30 degrees obliquity:

37mm at 500yds (53mm); at 1000yds (46mm); at 1500yds (40mm); at 2000yds (35mm)

2 pounder at 500yds (58mm); at 1000yds (52mm); at 1500yds (46mm); at 2000yds (40mm)

6 pounder at 500yds (81mm); at 1000yds (74mm); at 1500yds (63mm); at 2000yds (56mm)

75mm M-3 at 500yds (66mm); at 1000yds (60mm); at 1500yds (55mm); at 2000yds (50mm)

3-inch at 500yds (93mm); at 1000yds (88mm); at 1500yds (82mm); at 2000yds (75mm)

76mm at 500yds (93mm); at 1000yds (88mm); at 1500yds (82mm); at 2000yds (75mm)

17 pounder at 500yds (140mm); at 1000yds (130mm); at 1500yds (120mm); at 2000yds (111mm)

90mm at 500yds (129mm); at 1000yds (122mm); at 1500yds (114mm); at 2000yds (106mm)

Again, a big thanks to "Sherman"!!!!