RE: pershing color
I've poured through the sites over the years. I thought the 76mm Sherman was available before the tungsten round. The ammo was reserved mostly for M10 and M18 TDs when it became available and even then I remember it amounting to only 1 round per tank per month. Hardly a significant amount.
Despite the written history and the fact that TD units no longer exist, I think the concept of the tank was sound. I base this on crew reports and the number of tanks they knocked out. What I've been trying to find is actual losses of TDs like we have for Shermans. Have you come across any?