The M4A1 was the first Sherman production model to reach production and was supplied to the British to use in the battle of El Alamein. The first M4A1 produced had a side entry hatch, a riveted lower hull, direct vision ports in front of the driver and co-driver hatches, and bogies all from the M3 Lee production lineage. Two fixed forward firing 30 Cal machineguns in the glacis were quickly deleted from production as was the side entry hatch. "Michael" is a surviving M4A1 found in Bovington.