XXI Century M3/M4

grabcad

The sick are moved daily by military aircraft from North Italy to South Italy, because fans are very scarce. The peak is steady in Italy: infections and deaths remain stable. A dual situation exists: 1 - North Italy has been under red alert for a month; 2 - Center-South Italy sees fewer contagions and deaths, although rising steadily. Time plays a significant role. I would divide this challenge into two phases, as the United States did during World War II with M3 and M4 tank production. Let me explain: The USA studied and analyzed the English experience in North Africa against Italian-German troops, where English Valentine tanks faced off against Panzer IVs equipped with 75mm guns. Valentines were armed with only 40mm guns, even outgunned by Italian 47mm guns! Americans solved this problem by creating an emergency tank, the M3 Stuart. The Stuart used a tracked and armored hull already in production in the USA since 1930, but was initially armed only with machine gunners. They integrated a 75mm casemate gun of naval origin to solve the issue. At the same time, they began developing a large tank with 75-76 and 85mm turret guns, the M4 Sherman. In summary: 1 - The M3 became available immediately with its 75mm gun; 2 - The M4 came later and eventually replaced the M3. In the Covid19 War, I propose starting a dual parallel study: 1 - A simplified pulmonary ventilator to be produced quickly; 2 - A more complex fan to be produced in two months. From an operational perspective, I must decide whether to focus on the M3 or the M4 (or first one and then the other).