Wheatcroft Collection: American Sherman M4 105mm Tank Engine Runs For The First Time! (Watch)

The Wheatcroft Collection’s rare American Sherman M4 105mm tank is nearing completion. Pictures show the freshly restored 9 cylinder radial engine being dropped into the engine compartment.

The tank is expected to receive its turret and tracks in preparation for its test drive early this summer before joining its stablemate at the Wheatcroft Collection at Donington Park.

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The engine before it was dropped into the engine bay
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It’s a snug fit!

Kevin Wheatcroft says:

“This has been a two-year restoration and again we strove for exacting detail. This M4 is one of over 20 Sherman’s the Collection possesses. Our next Sherman based restoration will be the Firefly and we hope to commence work on that later this year.”

Watch this space for updated pictures of the final stages of the 105’s restoration.

The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armored military vehicles. It is one of the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world.

The collection has around 200 items, including more than 130 vehicles, of which 88 are tanks.The majority of the collection is of German, American and British origin, with a smaller number of vehicles from Japan, France, and Russia.

The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for over 40 years.

The collection is perhaps notable for having a number of extremely valuable and rare Second World War-era German military vehicles, including a number of Panther tanks, one of which is close to full restoration. There are a number of rare Tiger tanks, both I and II as well as StuG assault guns, Panzer III’s, and a Panzer IV tanks.

Those involved in the collection are also working on restoring the only surviving German S Boat, the S-130.

Video

The 105mm Sherman’s freshly installed engine starts for the first time, runs for 20 minutes after some fine carburettor adjustment, settles down and ticks over for a further 15 minutes.

We can now button up the engine compartment ready for the installation and completion of the turret.

Some of the collection is now on public display at www.Donington-Park.co.uk