Hi,

Now this should be fun. Let the games begin.

In regards to the Tamiya TBU free for all games and they are great fun/events, using the Tamiya recommended hits makes sense (9 hits for the cats and 5 hits for all Shermans).

For games that take into account the historical performance of the AFV; games that use WWII tactics and from that point of view; all Shermans should be down graded to 3 hits (when going one on one and head to head with Tigers and Panthers).

I base that proposal on WWII facts that we all know about.

And the staggering loss rate of all types of WWII Shermans when facing Axis armor one on one in France and North Western Europe.

The Jumbos, Easy 8s and Pershings were knocked out just as easily as the older thinner armored M4s.

But the increased fire power of those improved weapon systems did kill big German tanks and lead the way for successful allied ground battles in the closing months in the war for Europe.

But Army records show that most Sherman loses (and Axis armor losses) were due to mines, artillery and aircraft attacks and of course IF games do not reflect those hazards.

Your probably right about the Firefly, but I still contend it did have the best capability in a one on one fight against a big German tank, like found in the Tamiya IF games.

It's fighting capabilities perhaps came closest to being an allied heavy tank. Check with ace tank commander Michael Whittman.

All components work together to establish a classification, and remember the 40's US Army did not field a heavy tank in WWII (and downgraded the Pershing from heavy to medium).

The Jumbo was not classified a heavy tank and tactics from the era had the TD going head to head with the large cats anyway and not the Shermans, if events permitted.

The TD, early in the war, brought heavier AP firepower and speed to the fight. The weight classification isn't germane to how they were fought, because the half track with a 75mm gun was perhaps the most lethal TD of the era and of course carried little in the way of armor. But again tactics and speed gave the TD crew a survival edge.

In regards to the Jumbos and Easy 8 these are the facts:

"The Easy 8s major improvement (not thicker armor), was the complete redesign of the tank's suspension. Battle experience had proved the short life of the original vertical volute spring suspension on the late models M3s was due to the tank's increasing weight (due to bigger guns required bigger heavier turrets, etc.) and the need for larger heavier tracks (again, not thicker armor)".

The "Super Sherman" M4A3E8 did became the standard tank of the 3rd and 7th US Armies in Europe, but around Dec of 44, so that happened very late in the war.

The new heavier Shermans still could not compete on a One-on-One basis, with the big German tanks (Panthers and Tigers) nor with the new T34-85s if it had to, but it soldiered on (into Korea) and did it's job because of tactics, a vast manufacturing, supply and logistics system and the training/dedication of the crew.

But the Jumbo/Easy 8 was still a medium tank like the Pershing M-26 when compared to the enemies AFVs.

Thus Shermans should not get 9 hits and I recommended all Shermans be down graded to 3 hits. What do you think, DAK?

I think the DAK Sherman drivers fan club is just looking for a battlefield edge; one that is not deserved and historically is in no way accurate.

Take a look at my little ugly (but lovable midget) medium weight Easy 8 Sherman tank parked next my nasty/mean medium weight Panther.

No way is the fat Easy 8 a heavy main battle tank.

The Sherman was designed to be a little dude so it could travel over landing beaches and European bridges.

The Easy 8 and Jumbo are just over weight, but that does not make them heavy weight fighters. Sorry Sherman dudes, facts are facts.