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drgslyr · 13-07-2006, 06:38 AM

Thanks for the answer and links guys! They were a big help

The answer seems to lie mainly with the fact that the 17-pounder gun used an APDS round. Given that the British had such a hard time fitting the cannon onto the M4 though, I'm surprised they didn't just develop a shell that could be used in the standard 75mm gun. It seems that this would have been easier and it would have had the added bonus of keeping the enemy guessing as to which tanks were using the more lethal rounds (considering German tank crews were instructed to target the Fireflys first because they were the biggest threat).

Of course, if the Sherman's 75mm gun was significantly shorter than the barrel used for the 17-pounder(?), then the argument would become moot because I suppose you would have to sacrifice too much in muzzle velocity. Shows how much I know.

Thaks again!

13-07-2006, 06:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
drgslyr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 111	Thanks for the answer and links guys! They were a big help The answer seems to lie mainly with the fact that the 17-pounder gun used an APDS round. Given that the British had such a hard time fitting the cannon onto the M4 though, I'm surprised they didn't just develop a shell that could be used in the standard 75mm gun. It seems that this would have been easier and it would have had the added bonus of keeping the enemy guessing as to which tanks were using the more lethal rounds (considering German tank crews were instructed to target the Fireflys first because they were the biggest threat). Of course, if the Sherman's 75mm gun was significantly shorter than the barrel used for the 17-pounder(?), then the argument would become moot because I suppose you would have to sacrifice too much in muzzle velocity. Shows how much I know. Thaks again!