Which tracks for my M4 Sherman model kit.

M4 Sherman tank is one of the moust iconic tanks of WWII, so nearly every scale modeler needs to make at least one in their career. Since there were a lot of types of tracks for M4 Sherman tank it might be very confusing which one to chose on our model.

Here is a little guide.

M4 Sherman Track Types by Variant

M4 (welded hull)

• Early (1942–43):
  • T41 (rubber block)
  • T49 (steel bar)
• Mid (1943–44):
  • T51 (rubber chevron)  most common
  • T48 (rubber chevron w/ steel cleats)
• Late:
  • T54E1/E2 (all-steel, less common)

 Often seen with duckbill extensions in Europe

M4A1 (cast hull)

• Early:
  • T41
• Mid (very common setup):
  • T51
  • T48
• Late:
  • T54E1/E2 occasionally

This is one of the most commonly photographed Sherman types with T51 chevron tracks

M4A2 (diesel, used by Allies like USSR & UK)

• Early–mid:
  • T49 (popular in Soviet service for mud)
  • T51
• Mid–late:
  • T48
• Late:
  • T54E1/E2 (especially in harsh conditions)

Soviets often preferred all-steel or aggressive tracks due to terrain

M4A3 (Ford GAA engine – main US Army late-war tank)

• Early:
  • T51
• Mid–late:
  • T48
  • T54E1/E2

Very common to see duckbills + T48/T51 in NW Europe

M4A4 (long hull, mostly British use)

• Typical tracks:
  • T48  very common
  • T51
• Less common:
  • T49 early on

British Shermans (Sherman V) frequently used T48 with duckbills

HVSS Shermans (Wide-track variants)

These are a separate category because they used different suspension and wider tracks:

M4A3E8 Sherman

Late M4A3 (76mm HVSS)

• Tracks:
  • T66 (rubber)
  • T80 (steel chevron) most iconic
  • T84 (rubber chevron, less common)

These wide tracks dramatically improved mobility

 Quick Reference Table