12th Armored Division US ARMY; Hellcat Division.

M4A3 75mm (late production) medium tank (nick-named "Cold Storage") with T34 Rocket Launcher "Calliope", Bavaria, April 1945. (Italeri Kit with Star decals)

By late 1944, the US Army had prioritized M4A3 tanks for its own use. The 12th AD's medium tanks were M4A3 75mm, 76mm, and 105mm models. The late production M4A3 75mm was a much-improved model over the M4 and M4A1 of 1942-43, having wet stowage ammo and a superb new Ford tank motor.

Our subject, Cold Storage, was equipped with a T34 rocket launcher sporting 60-4.5" tubes providing a concentrated barrage of high explosives. The US Army's version of shock and awe-1945 style. In 1945, small numbers of these were mounted to Shermans in many US Armored Divisions. The main gun was used to elevate the launcher, but the assembly had to be jettisoned to use the main gun in emergencies.  

M4A3 75mm (late production) medium tank (nick-named "Cold Storage") with T34 Rocket Launcher "Calliope", Bavaria, April 1945. (Italeri Kit with Star decals)

By late 1944, the US Army had prioritized M4A3 tanks for its own use. The 12th AD's medium tanks were M4A3 75mm, 76mm, and 105mm models. The late production M4A3 75mm was a much-improved model over the M4 and M4A1 of 1942-43, having wet stowage ammo and a superb new Ford tank motor.

Our subject, Cold Storage, was equipped with a T34 rocket launcher sporting 60-4.5" tubes providing a concentrated barrage of high explosives. The US Army's version of shock and awe-1945 style. In 1945, small numbers of these were mounted to Shermans in many US Armored Divisions. The main gun was used to elevate the launcher, but the assembly had to be jettisoned to use the main gun in emergencies.  

"WAS IST DAS" M4A3 76mm medium tank mid-production, A Company, 43rd Tank Battalion, Southern Germany, April 1945. Academy kit.

The M4A3 76mm medium tank began delivery to France in August of 1944 and became the standard 76mm armed Sherman tank for the US Army along with the M4A3 75mm, and M4A3 105mm Howitzer Shermans. In November 1944 the newly arrived 12th Armored Division was thusly equipped in medium tanks. 

"WAS IST DAS" M4A3 76mm medium tank mid-production, A Company, 43rd Tank Battalion, Southern Germany, April 1945. Academy kit.

The M4A3 76mm medium tank began delivery to France in August of 1944 and became the standard 76mm armed Sherman tank for the US Army along with the M4A3 75mm, and M4A3 105mm Howitzer Shermans. In November 1944 the newly arrived 12th Armored Division was thusly equipped in medium tanks. 

"WAS IST DAS" M4A3 76mm medium tank mid-production, A Company, 43rd Tank Battalion, Southern Germany, April 1945. Academy kit.

The M4A3 76mm medium tank began delivery to France in August of 1944 and became the standard 76mm armed Sherman tank for the US Army along with the M4A3 75mm, and M4A3 105mm Howitzer Shermans. In November 1944 the newly arrived 12th Armored Division was thusly equipped in medium tanks. 

"WAS IST DAS" M4A3 76mm medium tank mid-production, A Company, 43rd Tank Battalion, Southern Germany, April 1945. Academy kit.

The M4A3 76mm medium tank began delivery to France in August of 1944 and became the standard 76mm armed Sherman tank for the US Army along with the M4A3 75mm, and M4A3 105mm Howitzer Shermans. In November 1944 the newly arrived 12th Armored Division was thusly equipped in medium tanks.