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| articles:m4_sherman_tank_pistol_port [2020/07/09 19:32] – rrandall | articles:m4_sherman_tank_pistol_port [2020/07/10 08:57] – [The Lesson] rrandall |
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| ====== The Story of the "Pistol Port" on the M4 Sherman Tank ====== | ====== The "Pistol Port" that wasn't used as a "Pistol Port" on the M4 Sherman Tank ====== |
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| The M4 "Sherman" tank entered production during July 1942 with the D50878 turret casting. The earliest versions of this turret featured a "pistol port" on the left side towards the rear. In the photographs below (of an M4A1 "Sherman" tank), the "pistol port" appears as a small, rectangular door on the side of the turret; right of the white star). | The M4 "Sherman" tank entered production during July 1942 with the D50878 turret casting. The earliest versions of this turret featured a "pistol port" on the left side towards the rear. In the photographs below (of an M4A1 "Sherman" tank), the "pistol port" appears as a small, rectangular door on the side of the turret; right of the white star. |
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| {{ :articles:m4a1_tank_left_side_above_900x460.jpg?direct&600 |}} \\ | {{ :articles:m4a1_tank_left_side_above_900x460.jpg?direct&600 |}} \\ |
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| The M4 design was constantly undergoing changes to include a number of improvements. In late 1943 the M4 was changed to include the improved D78461 turret casting... which included a return of the "pistol port". | The M4 design was constantly undergoing changes to include a number of improvements. In late 1943 the M4 was changed to include the improved D78461 turret casting... which included a return of the "pistol port". |
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| | ===== The Lesson ===== |
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| | The lesson learned from this story is that end users may not actually use a product feature the way that the Engineers/Designers had intended it. Instead, the users may have developed a more "value-added" use for the feature. Listen to the "Voice of the customer" and understand how your customers are actually using your product. |
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| | Had actual use of the "pistol port" been understood, and communicated to the Engineers/Designers, the "pistol port" could have been more accurately named a "Loading Door". |
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