[Eric in the Ozarks]

Also: I think Shermans had gasoline engines originally. Perhaps the Russians upgraded them to diesel.

[don'tbedenied]

Yes I thought they were gas too. Caught fire quickly and had a derogatory nickname, like "one strike lighters"

[Nov3]

Also: I think Shermans had gasoline engines originally. Perhaps the Russians upgraded them to diesel.

There were God knows how many engine variants.

[utahguy]

Also: I think Shermans had gasoline engines originally.

They were. The GI's nicknamed them Ronson's, after the lighter's slogan, "It'll light every time."

[skepsel]

Yup, the troops called them Ronsons or Zippos because of the way the gasoline made them burn when they were hit. Also, the picture seems to show a muzzle brake on the gun tube with a cover over it. I don't think the 76 mm on a US Sherman had one. There were Shermans in British and later in Israeli service that were up gunned to larger calibers tho'. I think the British version was called the Fire Fly, with a 100 mm and the Israeli one was a Super Sherman, probably with a 105 mm. We may have fielder a later variant with either the high velocity 90 mm or the 100 mm used on our tank destroyers.

[Pete'sWife]

I think Shermans had gasoline engines originally.

Cadillac flathead V-8's, I'm pretty sure.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

Originally they had radial engines. Since they used gasoline instead of diesel they burned fiercely. Crews called them Ronsons(SP?). Shermans were successful because they were numerous and their crews were brave.

Michael Frazier