What Shermans in Korea?

[Big Insect]

Now here's a 'fun' topic for those who like detail ...

What are the various designations of Sherman tanks used by the U.N. in Korea, and what calibre guns were deployed in these Shermans?

Also, I just came across an M4A3R3 - Sherman Flamethrower tank in Korea and wondered if that was what the Canadian's nicknamed 'Badgers'? Or was that something totally different.

All assistance appreciated please - ideally with some degree of referenceability (not just WIKI - which is proving very unreliable witness on all things Korean War related at present (e.g. stating with certainty that the British used Alvis Saladin ACs in Korea (for example) when it wasn't even deployed to the British Army until 1958. Doh!

Thanks
Mark

NB: the Auzzies seem to have been using Easy-8's in Korea (M4A3E8)

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Ok - complex question. US army vehicles are M4A3E8/76mmW, and the Canadian ones seem to be the same. I suspect that you have confused Canadiuans and Aussies here, they used or were supported by the British Cents. USMC were the only users of tank flamethrowers and these had the flame gun coxax with a 105mm howitzer. No MG maybe. The Badger is a version of the Ram with a flame gun in the sub turret and no main turret. Could be wrong but I suspect there was no combat use. Osprey original Vangaurd on Korean Armour is a good basic source.

[Big Insect]

Many thanks
I have somebody saying that the Auzzies used the M4A3E8 - I knew the Canuks used them (but not sure either actually fought in Korea).

The M4A3R3 sounds like a formidable beast! I knew that the hull MG had been replaced with the flamethrower but I wasn't aware it had the 105mm howitzer as well.

I'll look out for that Osprey - thanks

[sultanbev]

The USMC flamethrower Sherman wasn't known as the M4A3R3 in most sources, merely M4A3 HVSS POA-CWS-H5.
http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRR63149
So it's the 105mm version of the M4A3 Sherman, but with the HVSS suspension, but with a coax flamethrower with a range of 100m. Only 20 rounds were carried for the 105mm however. The tank retained the bow MG and AAHMG, and by the look of it, the coax MG.

Nearly all other Shermans were the M4A3 HVSS (76mm), with each company having a dozer version.
However some of the dozers were the older M4A3 (76mm) VVSS.
In addition, some M4A3 HVSS (76mm) had the bow MG replaced by a flamethrower.

The Canadians arrived with M36B2 but had them replaced by M4A3(76mm) HVSS.
The Aussies didn't field any armour in Korea other than possibly Universal Carriers for Vickers MMG and 3" mortars.

Mark

[Big Insect]

Most helpful - as always Mark.
Thank you