Colin, @coling
I will watch the video you posted on Michael Whittman soon. I have seen several documents on TV, and remember one that stated a Hawker Typhoon hit his tank, but I don't think that's what happened. I would rather think it was the Canadian's who got him.
Besides being in the Infantry, my Dad was a Korean War combat veteran, who served in the later "Easy 8" Sherman's, M-26's, M-46's in Korea. Later when he rotated back to the States, (and Germany on several occasions), he served in the newer M-47 and 48's. He held two different MOS's, which was common back then. He told me that he liked serving in the Infantry better, because "they didn't shoot at you as much"...to quote him exactly. I picked up where he left off, also joined the Army, and served most of my time in the M-60A1. I left the Army just as we were transitioning to the M1-A1's.
The main difference in the tracks on the tanks in the pictures is what they are made of. The tracks with the thicker chevrons were a rubber coated track block. These were used to help prevent damaging paved roads. The thinner ones you see in the pictures, like the Sherman with the number 52 on the transmission cover, and the restored Sherman in the museum are solid steel, without a rubber coating. These were sometimes referred to as "Battle tracks", and were used because they were less susceptible to damage when operated in the field. Some think the steel track also offered better traction in dirt / mud.
The two were interchangeable, so the tank could operate with either style of track.
Hope this helps... ๐
