[W.Lee]

Wasn’t the Sherman referred to by the British as the “Zippo” because of it’s penchant to light up when hit? Not meant to insult, but I remember reading that somewhere.

[elcid1970]

IIRC, there were Sherman vehicles fitted with flamethrower barrels and these were nicknamed “Zippos”. Used to great effect in Okinawa.

In “Patton”, M-3’s were called “Purple Heart Boxes”.

[tumblindice]

Ronsons?

[forgotten man]

The Germans called them “Tommy cookers.”

[archy]

Wasn’t the Sherman referred to by the British as the “Zippo” because of it’s penchant to light up when hit? Not meant to insult, but I remember reading that somewhere.

Sort of, and partly true. Also true of any tank using an aircraft radial engine as its powerplant, moreso if still running aviation fuel, less so- a bit less, maybe- if detuned for regular military grade MoGas.

Remember that the Finnish inventors of the Molotov Cocktail firebomb for use against tanks did so because the Russian light tanks, Amphibians and armored cars of the 1939-'40 *Winter War* were gasoline engined. So were most of the tanks the Brits used in North Africa, their own as well as the ones we sent them, as well as those run by the Germans, trying to save scarce Diesel fuel for their U-boat service.

In my day a *Ronson* or *Zippo* tank or track was one with a flamethrower on board. Real handy against light infantry attacks at night.