If you meant Firefly,the point is about right because the 17pd antitank gun with 3X/6X interchangeable magnification had about the similar antitank performance as the Kwk42 of the MarkV had,moreover the 17pd with APCBC-T was slightly better but lacked the inert HE filler that the Panther AP ammo had,also the Firefly had much weaker armor than the Panther.None of US Shermans were converted into Firefly standard although some were used in the MTO. The 76mm M1 gun was much more a comparision to the Kwk40 of the MarkIV but suffered the "shatter gap" due to poor nose hardness of the crappy ammunition and to high velocity to that (the M61 APCBC-HE-T of the 75mm gun had relative low velocity and was found not vulnarable for shattering),but variations in the huge produced quantity by many manufacturers were possible.The US 76mm gunned Shermans could pen the mantlet armor of the Panther at 100-200 meters,the front turret at 700 meters but could fail under that range and the increasing of the side angle could decrease the distances much.The glacis and the nose was simply unpenetratable for the M62 "normal" APCBC-HE-T shot.Of course the side and rear armor could be defeated at much longer distances (the 75mm gun also could) but the Panther owned at least reasonable tactical advanteges against a Sherman (and that contained sitting backs and sharpshooting at even 2000-3600 meter range)except when it used HVAP tungsten-cored shot,with that even kills at a mile against the front turret of the Panther was possible.,nose was penetrated at 400 yards under gun test against captured Panthers at Isigny,still the 76mm HVAP was no match for the glacis (82/85 mm at 55 degree)The production of the T4 HVAP was limited and prior was given to TD forces.before 1945,only rarely more than 2-3 HVAP ammunition were given to tank crew,if they were given.The ammunitions of the 76mm gun were improved and saw very succesfully actions in the Korean War.
Mobility:On US Shermans the HVSS suspension worked well for terrain stability,acceleration, flotation and speed,but the Shermans could not turn in place as the german tanks could and the turning diameter was 18,3m which was disadvantegous in a bocage or urban fight.
The sights to 76mm gun with dual magnification system (short range for searching and long range mod)telescope were satisfactory,the gunner also had a periscope as the commander had.Coated bright lighted german sights could give better picture,especially at long ranges under the general overcast condition in North-West Europe.
The 64/47 glacis built late modell Shermans had reasonable front hull and nose armor versus a Kwk40/Pak39 AP projectile especially against shots with lateral angle,the cast turret (64c/45) (max 98mm cast round mantlet) was more vulnarable.But all this didn't made many difference against a so-called 88s or Kwk42 though.
The Sherman had the fastest turret traverse (360 degree at 15 seconds)due its auxilliary engine so it worked independently to the main engine's actual revolutions per minute.It could be a serious tactical advantege especially in close combat.
The M18 Hellcat when used its great mobility and outflanked or ambushed the Panther could win.The mobile, but thinly armored open topped M36 TD could destroy the Panther mostly at front turret not glacis hits except when used 90mm HVAP or T33 AP shots but this ammunition reached the troops before the ending of hostilities only in limited numbers.The very late war M26 Pershing was at least equal to the Panther.
Mobility:On US Shermans the HVSS suspension worked well for terrain stability,acceleration, flotation and speed,but the Shermans could not turn in place as the german tanks could and the turning diameter was 18,3m which was disadvantegous in a bocage or urban fight.
The sights to 76mm gun with dual magnification system (short range for searching and long range mod)telescope were satisfactory,the gunner also had a periscope as the commander had.Coated bright lighted german sights could give better picture,especially at long ranges under the general overcast condition in North-West Europe.
The 64/47 glacis built late modell Shermans had reasonable front hull and nose armor versus a Kwk40/Pak39 AP projectile especially against shots with lateral angle,the cast turret (64c/45) (max 98mm cast round mantlet) was more vulnarable.But all this didn't made many difference against a so-called 88s or Kwk42 though.
The Sherman had the fastest turret traverse (360 degree at 15 seconds)due its auxilliary engine so it worked independently to the main engine's actual revolutions per minute.It could be a serious tactical advantege especially in close combat.
The M18 Hellcat when used its great mobility and outflanked or ambushed the Panther could win.The mobile, but thinly armored open topped M36 TD could destroy the Panther mostly at front turret not glacis hits except when used 90mm HVAP or T33 AP shots but this ammunition reached the troops before the ending of hostilities only in limited numbers.The very late war M26 Pershing was at least equal to the Panther.
,they could say better
)due their pointed nose prevent them turn to the right of the armor itself at that really high velocity but the raw penetration power and extreme accuracy could equalize/exceed this but not in all cases.
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at least one of my/our (sorry
)old and respected guys is back!
