M4A4 Sherman V Crab Mark I Flail Tank Accession number
A1949.360.
The Museum's Crab is a Mark I, the type used on D-Day
and it carries the markings of the Westminster Dragoons
of 30th Armoured Brigade, in 79th Armoured Division.
Tank Museum photo No. 4233/F/1
The Mark I is identified by the hydraulic cylinder
on the left side that raises and lowers the flail
arms.
Tank Museum
photo No. 4233/E/3
From this angle one can see the thicker arm on the
right that contains the flail rotor drive shaft, and
the special hooded periscope cover on the driver's
hatch.
Tank Museum photo No. 4233/G/4
From inside the boom one can see the main cross tube
and blast shield that protects the front of the tank.
Tank Museum photo
No. 4233/G/5
This view of the right side shows the point where
the drive shaft emerges from the hull and runs forwards
to the rotor through two bevel gearboxes.
Tank Museum photo No. 4238/D/5
Looked at in detail there is the serrated wheel on
the end of the rotor, to cut through barbed wire,
and the deflector blade beneath the arm to push wire
away from the tracks..
Tank Museum photo
No. 4233/G/6
Another feature peculiar to the Crab is the rack,
on the side of the hull, for holding spare chains.
Most vehicles featured on this website
are part of the Tank
Museum collection, many are on public display from time
to time. Please enquire
for details
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