What gun did the Sherman Firefly use?

What gun did the Sherman Firefly use?

The Sherman Firefly was a tank used by the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth and Allied armoured formations in the Second World War. It was based on the US M4 Sherman, but was fitted with the more powerful 3-inch (76.2 mm) calibre British 17-pounder anti-tank gun as its main weapon.

Is the Sherman Firefly a tank destroyer?

On May 31, 342 modified Sherman tanks were delivered to General Montgomery’s 21st Army Group. This tank destroyer, nicknamed “Firefly” or “Mayfly”, also equips the Canadian army as of the Battle of Normandy.

Did the US Army use the Sherman Firefly?

The Sherman Firefly, was a Sherman variation, used by, and only by the British. The US Ordnance Department refused having their Shermans fitted with the British gun (17 pounder). As to follow up with this idea, I would say that the Americans would probably refuse to use the Firefly altogether, a British tank.

Can Sherman Firefly destroy a tiger?

Specifically designed by the British to combat the Tiger, the Sherman Firefly was based on the standard American M4A4 Sherman medium tank, but was fitted with a powerful 17-pounder gun which made it a deadly opponent for the Tiger.

Are Sherman tanks still used?

Although the U.S. military stopped using Sherman tanks after the Korean War, Paraguay continued to use the M4 until 2018, according to the Army. It was unclear on Monday whether the Army has any Shermans left in its inventory of tracked vehicles.

Why is it called a 17 pounder?

So great was the rush that they were sent before proper carriages had been developed, and the guns had to be mounted in the carriages of 25-pounder gun-howitzers. These early weapons were known as 17/25-pounders and given the codename Pheasant.

Do any countries still use M4 Shermans?

Although the U.S. military stopped using Sherman tanks after the Korean War, Paraguay continued to use the M4 until 2018, according to the Army.

When was the Sherman Firefly put into production?

After the difficult problem of getting such a large gun to fit in the Sherman’s turret was solved, the Firefly was put into production in early 1944, in time to equip Field Marshal Montgomery ‘s 21st Army Group for the Normandy landings.

Can a Sherman Firefly take a heavy tank?

The Sherman Firefly can dish out the punishment necessary for heavy tanks, but can’t take it. Don’t expose the tank towards enemy fire too long due to the thin armour on the Firefly in comparison to other tanks such as the Russian T-34-85s and the Germans Panthers.

What does the turret do on a Sherman tank?

The turret is also very similar, although the radio sticks out of the back in a bustle. This tank should be the supporting line in both offensive and defensive actions, providing flanking fire, long-range fire, or fast and accurate fire to the target while the heavy tanks take up the brunt of the defense.

Why did the British build the Firefly tank?

T he Firefly came about because the British wanted to get a 17 pounder into a tank, and the homegrown ones planned to have it, were having issues . The 17 pounder, a 76mm anti-tank gun, had to be extensively redesigned to work in the Sherman 75mm turret, the AT gun versions recoil system was too long to work in a 75mm gun turret.