Submitted by LTC Ronald C. Powell.
July 28-31, 2021 three volunteers descended on the M4A1 Sherman Tank at the Lewis Army Museum for a paint job and refresh. They gained approval from the museum director and two volunteers came from the Puget Sound Military Vehicle Collector’s Club (PSMVCC).
Ivan Urnovitz (PSMVCC newsletter editor) and club member Larry Lucas (A Vietnam veteran) drove all the way from their home in Spokane. Along with Ron Powell (museum volunteer) they spent the first 2 days pressure washing, paint treating, sanding and other prep work to get it ready for paint. Ron provided some era correct early WW2 olive drab. On Friday the tank was painted and it was back to looking like it might have been in 1942 with a “motorpool” refresh. On Saturday morning the stars and markings went on and the lady was beautiful.
How long will the paint job last? Pacific Northwest rain is pretty hard on equipment so the team added some special touches to harden the paint and make it more resistant to weather.
About this tank: Did you know this is an early rare M4A1 Sherman and with a serial number of only 734. It may be the 5th known early production numbered tank of its vintage to still exist. The volunteers verified and documented the existing markings and bumper numbers against museum records in order to preserve the tank’s history.
