Many thanks Darren for this review.
About the muzzle brake. It is true that muzzle brake typical of the M1A2 76 mm gun is most of the time seen on M4A3 with the oval hatch T23 turret and the HVSS boogies (E8) but as usual with Sherman, they are exceptions. For example, Allies-Axis n°13 (Ampersand) shows a very late VVSS M4A3 76 mm with an oval hatch turret + a muzzle brake (p.81) and -icing on the cake- T-49 cleat tracks which are more commonly seen on Lend lease M4 (Russian, British…).
And the same publication provides also a picture of a M4A3E8 (T66 tracks) fitted with a M1A1C gun… with no muzzle brake 