Duckbill Information
The Sherman’s relatively narrow 16.5 inch track width resulted in
relatively high ground pressures compared to other era tanks,
particularly the T-34 and Panther tanks. As a result they were more
prone to bogging down in soft or wet soil conditions. Yankee
ingenuity came to the rescue in the form of the extended end
connector. This was a modified standard end connector with a metal
extension that projected out to effectively increase the track
width by an additional 3.5 inches. Since the piece resembles the
shape of a duck’s bill, troops began calling the devices
“duckbills”. Surprisingly, when they were introduced, there was no
standardization. A large portion of the duckbills used in Europe
starting in the fall 1944 were locally produced. At the time, the
Army needed large quantities of duckbills fast due to the muddy
field conditions being encountered that was bogging down the tanks
and hence, reducing the mobility of the armored units. To meet
demand, the Army relied on local manufacturers in France and
Belgium to produce the extenders locally. This diversity in
manufacturing sources resulted in five distinct variations in
detail and design as these local manufactures modified the basic
design to suit their production capabilities. Of the five
variations, two were the most common. The first and most widely
used version was a cast steel part that was an integral part of the
track connector. The second type was a piece of heavy sheet metal
bent around and bolted to the end connector. The Panda duckbills
represent the integrally cast duckbills which, with its many slight
variations among manufacturers, appears to be the most common type
used.
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