M4A3 Stowage

Thanks for the help guys.  Custom stowage it is!

Not for Shermans.  (For some others like the M26, yes, some engine deck grates were air outflows).

On all Shermans, air was drawn in from atop the engine roof via grates by fans at the rear of the engines.  On the M4A3, there were twin fans which drew the air in from the grilles, onto the engine assembly and through a radiator.  This air would then glow out beneath the rear bulkhead overhang and out towards the rear of the tank.

As for unintended air flow being drawn in from the crew compartment, I can imagine it happened.  I wonder if the smaller air intake grille atop the M4 and M4A1s forced more air to be drawn in from the crew compartment versus the very big and efficient grilles of the M4A3?

Wouldn't those grates be mainly for exhaust air? Seem to recall from 'Tank Overhaul' that that on some of the tanks the air was drawn in thru hatches. I would image that some air went in thru the grates, but I recall an old fellow saying that in the winter it was really cold with the air being sucked in thru the hatches.

Just asking?

To answer your question: the engine grates on top of the rear deck were integral to the cooling of both the engine and the radiator.  Crews wouldn't block the airflow

Sounds like a good plan to me.

I'm no expert, but I arranged the extra crap gear so as to leave most of the engine grills open.  I've seen "large lumps of stowage", but I know if you block the engine grills, the engine either over heats or is starved of air.

I'm sure you've thought of this, but make sure some kind of visible tie-down method is displayed.  Unsecured stuff on an armored vehicle gets lost within the first mile or so.

Otherwise, your build, your gear, your money.  The worst critic to placate is yourself.

Cheers.