CrazyD: Well all things considered here, your probably right. The Panther and the Tiger I were positively better gun platforms with superior optics. The M4A3E2 armed with a 76mm gun offset it's firepower inferiority to those tanks with it's better protection. What I will say is that the M4A3E2's frontal protection and it's turret (the most exposed on most any tank and most likely to be hit) protection, Is that it was much better. Better to the point that firing standard AP or rationed APCR shot, It may just have had a slightly better chance against the Panther and Tiger I. That with those two German tank types firing the same type of ammo. (standard AP and APCR).