Swedish Sherman tanks

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Stellan Bojerud (RIP)

After WW 2 Sweden bought a few Sherman tanks. I think there was a platoon of four used for trials in the early 1950-ies.

Anyhow one was in 1958 rebuilt as a test rig for the notorious turretless S "tank".

Could anybody tell what type of Sherman this could have been?

Further to the initial post of Stellan (who sadly passed away in the meantime):

After the testing and evaluation, one Firefly was scrapped and the other one was converted in 1958 to serve as a test rig for the Swedish turretless Stridsvagn 103 (Strv 103) or "S-tank".

During 1958 and 1959, a series of tests were made for evaluating the plausibility of the S-tank concept. The Sherman VC was one of two tank chassis fitted with equipment for testing if a fixed gun could be aimed accurately using the tank's controlled differential steering. The result of the testing was positive and development of the S-tank continued.

Sometime after the tests were concluded, this Sherman was put back in its original configuration as a Firefly and it currently preserved at the Swedish Tank Museum.

scan10469.jpg shermanrigg-1web.jpg shermanrigg-2web.jpg Sherman VC Arsenalen.jpg

Source: http://www.ointres.se/strv_103.htm and http://ftr.wot-news.com/2014/08/13/s...ank-1956-1961/