military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (01/25/89)
I'm continually working on my WWII microarmor (tank wargaming using 1:285th scale miniatures) rules system. A vehicle I'd really love to add is the Sherman Rocket Launcher, T34 (Calliope). For those unfamiliar, this is an M4 Sherman mounting a 60-tube launcher for 4.5" rockets. The overall firepower is quite impressive... Later variants added a few more tubes, and some utilized the 7.2" rocket. Can anyone supply the following information ? Even vague help is welcome. 1) How accurate is the system ? 2) What were the minimum ranges ? (The maximum is 4200 yds for the 4.5" M8, 5250 for the 4.5" M16, and 230 yds for the 7.2" ) 3) What was the warhead weight of the 4.5" M8 and M16 rockets ? The 7.2" carried 32 pounds of plastic explosive. 4) My best (and virtually only) sources to date are R.P. Hunnicutt's definitive "Sherman", and "British and American Tanks of WWII" by Chamberlain and Ellis. Any other sources for Calliope info are appreciated. Blitzkrieg (tanks in advance)... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bill Thacker moderator, sci.military military@att.att.com "War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied." - Sun Tzu