What is this monstrosity? Continuing the war production thread, US tanks prior to WWII were all designed to use radial aircraft engines, because they were light, simple, and powerful. As soon as the war started, every aircraft engine that could be produced was needed for an aircraft. So, what will be used to power the Sherman tank? Ford eventually came up with the GAA V8, that would fit in the Sherman’s engine bay. But what to use in the interim?
Chrysler bolted up this plumber’s nightmare: five of it’s 6 cylinder car engines, which the company was equipped to make in huge quantity, geared to a common driveshaft. I took this pic at the former Chrysler museum in Auburn Hills in 1916.
