M44 SP 155mm Howitzer
This SP howitzer replaced the M41 155mm SP howitzer. It had all welded construction. Transmission is a GM Allison cross drive. Development began in concert with the development of the M41 Walker Bulldog Tank. A major change placed the rear track idler wheel on the ground to provide support against shock. A rear spade was added. Engine and transmission were moved up front and a fighting compartment was erected on the rear hull with an open roof and a bow and tarp removable cover. The rear was closed by swinging cartridge racks which acted as doors and a working platform. It can fire an HE projectile weighing 43.88kg to a distance of 14,600 meters with an M4A1 charge. Rate of fire is about 1 round/minute. The later variant, M44A1, used a fuel injected engine. A total of 608 were built. Last of SP Artillery with an open top compartment.
M52 105mm SP Light Howitzer
M52 105mm SP Light Howitzer
The M7 and M37 were both open topped vehicles and in the "atomic age". It was decided the vehicles should have protection against nuclear blast. Work began in 1948. The first model was equipped with the 105mm howitzer. The components of the M41 Light Tank were used. The rear track idler was placed on the ground to better resist firing shock, since no recoil spade was used. The engine and transmission were moved to the front of the hull. The rear of the hull supported a large turret which could transverse 60 degrees either side of center. Elevation and traverse were manual. The crew and driver were in the turret. Hatches were provided in the roof. A total of 684 were built. Also in service with Belgium, Greece, Japan and Jordan.
M53 (T-97) 155mm SP Gun
M53 (T-97) 155mm SP Gun
"If it's going to be better, it must be bigger " — appeared to be the concept behind the new generation of Army large bore weapons in the 1950s. The T-97 standardized as the M53 in 1952 was one of the largest and heaviest vehicles fielded in the post-war period. Weighing almost 100,0001bs. combat loaded, it was over 32 feet long. An 8" howitzer version was prepared on the same chassis which shared many components with the M48 Medium Tank. The last road wheel served as a trailing idler. Torsion bar suspension was used. The driver sat in the left front of the fighting compartment while the commander's hatch and 0.50"MG were on the right side. A GM AIlison cross drive transmission was used. Hydraulic power moved the gun in elevation and the entire cab in azimuth + or -30 degrees of center. There were many changes throughout the production span of 1952 until 1953.
M55 8" SP Howitzer
M55 8" SP Howitzer
This 8" howitzer shared components and mount with the M53 155mm gun. It was more reliable than the M55 because of less stress on firing. Hence, all M53s were converted to M55 8" howitzers by rebarrelling. This was completed by 1960. This was a scaled up M52, another all-protected design. The gun crew and driver were carried in a massive turret capable of swinging plus & minus 30° of center. A massive rear recoil spade was fitted; and power operation of the gun, ramming and shell handling were provided. Ammunition is separate loading. It can fire a HE shell to a range of 16,916 meters.
M107 175mm Self-Propelled Gun
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M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer
M107 175mm Self-Propelled Gun
These weapons were mounted on the same gun carriage but used different tubes. The M-107 175mm Gun fired a 174-pound projectile out to almost 33 kilometers (32,700-meters) and proved of great value in providing an umbrella of protection over a wide area. The M107 175mm self-propelled Gun was largely deployed in NATO areas and its ammunition was commonly used throughout NATO forces. Designed to be part of a common family of weapons utilising the same chassis components, the M107 and M110 were essentially the same vehicle mounting different barrels. These guns fired an HE shell weighing 66.6 kilograms at a muzzle velocity of 914 meters per second. The M107 was used extensively in Vietnam to provide long range firesupport (being able to fire more than 30 km) and took part in numerous cross-DMZ duels with NVA guns. Though withdrawn from American service, vehicles of this type remain in service in the militaries of some other countries.
M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer
The M-110 8-inch Howitzer fired a 200-pound projectile out to almost 17 kilometers (16,800-meters) and was the most accurate weapon in the field artillery.
Since the weapons had an identical gun carriage it was common practice to install the tubes best suited to the current tactical mission, so that one day a battery may be all 175mm Guns and a few days later it may be half 175mm and half 8-inch.
M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
The M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer was largely deployed in NATO areas and its ammunition was commonly used throughout NATO forces. Vehicles of this type remain in service in the militaries of some other countries, although it has been withdrawn from service in the US military. The M108 was being phased out of the US Army at the time of Vietnam because its gun was considered too light for battlefield support and 155mm calibre had been standardised in NATO.
Additional Sources:
www.battletanks.com
www.gruntonline.com
www.fas.org
www.interet-general.info
www.panzerbaer.de
worldwar2.free.fr
www103.sakura.ne.jp
www.clandavidsonusa.com
afvdb.50megs.com
ww2photo.mimerswell.com
www.4regtra-reunion.org.uk
fmj.pe.kr
www.globalsecurity.org
www.rellitechnology.com
www.landscaper.net