Sherman Crab Flail Tank

by David Fletcher, Tony Bryan (Illustrator)

Overview

The Sherman Crab Flail tank was the powerful culmination of a series of mine-clearing flail tanks developed during World War II. Here, David Fletcher recounts how the Sherman Crabs were among the first tanks ashore on D-Day and as the war progressed they were in constant demand both for formal attacks and more incidental operations. Following the development of the tank and its use in the war, he details the US Army's initial lack of interest in the flail, but how after cooperative actions with the British, they too decided to adopt the type themselves. In addition to its special mine-clearing role the Sherman Crab was also capable of fighting in tank duels, and this book includes dramatic accounts of its use by the famous 79th Armoured Division and the US Army. The author explores the beginnings of the design in the Matilda Scorpion and Baron flails, developed for the Valentine and M3 Grant tanks, through to the Sherman, and particularly the Crab version. This detailed account of one of the most interesting tanks in the Funnies series is a delight for any modeller or tank enthusiast.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780967455
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/20/2012
Series:	New Vanguard , #139
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

David Fletcher was born in 1942. He has written a number of books and articles on military subjects and is currently the historian at the Tank Museum, Bovington, UK. He has spent over 40 years studying the development of British armoured vehicles during the two World Wars.

Tony Bryan is a freelance illustrator of many years' experience who lives and works in Dorset. He initially qualified in Engineering and worked for a number of years in Military Research and Development, and has a keen interest in military hardware – armour, small arms, aircraft and ships. Tony has produced many illustrations for partworks, magazines and books, including a number of titles in the New Vanguard series.

Table of Contents

Introduction     3
Born in the desert
Alamein Debut     6
Developments in Britain     7
Enter the Baron
The British Scorpion
Prototypes Proliferate     15
The Scorpions Spread     19
The Crabs Move in     33
The Crab in action
The American Angle     40
Post-War Developments     41
Bibliography     44
Colour Plate Commentary     45
Index     48

Editorial Reviews

“The author does a sterling job of telling this somewhat convoluted, but immensely interesting story of the development of this weapon... It makes for another superb edition on a most interesting piece of equipment and a tale you are sure to enjoy.” —Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (October 2007)

“While we do not as yet have a proper all-styrene Crab kit, there are resin offerings on the market of this very unique and interesting vehicle type. Until now, tailored references have been very thin on the ground. Thank you, Mr. Fletcher for filling in the gap!” —Frank V. De Sisto, missing-lynx.com (November 21, 2007)

“David Fletcher's Sherman Crab Flail Tank follows the design and history of the Sherman tank, considering its development and deployment. Colorful artwork and vintage photos supplement a collection recommended for any in-depth military library focusing on equipment history.” —The Bookwatch (February 2008)

From the Publisher