M43 8" (203.2 mm) Howitzer Motor Carriage
| GENERAL DATA | |||
| Other Designation(s) | - |
||
| Type | Self-Propelled Gun (Indirect Fire) |
Radio Equipment | ? |
| Manufacturer(s) | Pressed Steel
Car Co. |
||
| Crew | 8 (Commander, driver,
gun crew (6)) |
||
| Production Quantity | 48 + 24 converted from 155mm
GMC M40 |
Production Period | January 1945, August 1945 |
| DIMENSIONS | |||
| Combat weight with T66 tracks | 36000 kg |
Ground pressure | 0.744 kg/cm² |
| Length /hull | 6.65 m - 7.122 m * |
Length w/Gun | 9.07 m |
| Barrel Overhang | 2.42 m |
Height | 3.30 m |
| Width | 3.15 m |
Ground clearance | 0.43 m |
| Fire height | 2.59 m |
Turret ring diameter | - |
(*) with spade
| ARMAMENT | |||
| Primary Armament | 8" Howitzer M1 or M2 on M17
mount (1) |
Ammunition Carried | 16 |
| Traverse | 36° (18° left and right) |
Elevation | +45° to -5° (manual) |
| Traverse speed (360°) | Manual |
Sight | ? |
| Secondary Armament | - |
Ammunition Carried | - |
| Location | 1: rear of chassis |
||
| ARMOR | ||||
| Assembly | Welding & Cast
|
|||
| Armor Detail | Front |
Side |
Rear |
Top/Bottom |
| Hull | 51-108 mm / round |
25 mm / 90° |
19 mm / 80°-90° |
25 mm / 0°(front) 13 mm / 0°(rear) |
| Superstructure | 13 mm /
32° |
13 mm /
90° |
Open |
13 mm /
0-5° & Open |
| Gunshield | 13 mm / 45° |
- |
- |
- |
| AUTOMOTIVE | |||
| Engine | Continental R975 C1 |
Type & Displacement | R9, 15.9 liters |
| Horsepower (maximum) | 350-400 hp at 2400 rpm |
Power/Weight Ratio | 12.8 hp / ton |
| Gearbox | Synchromesh: 5 forward, 1 reverse |
Steering | Controlled differential & Steering levers |
| Brakes | Mechanical, external contracting |
Fuel Capacity | 813 L Gasoline (Petrol) |
| SUSPENSION | |||
| Type | Horizontal volute spring suspension
(HVSS) |
Road wheels | 3 bogies, 2 dual road wheels/bogie |
| Track return rollers | 2 dual + 3 single |
Sprocket-Wheels | 13 tooth, front |
| Idler Sprockets | Adjustable, rear |
Shock absorbers | 1 on each bogie |
| Track Type | T66, center guides, single pin, cast, steel | ||
| Width | 580 mm |
Pitch | 150 mm |
| Links(shoes) | 86 |
Track ground contact | 4.17 m |
| Track Type | T80, center guides, double pin, rubber & steel | ||
| Width | 580 mm |
Pitch | 150 mm |
| Links(shoes) | 86 |
Track ground contact | 4.17 m |
| Track Type | T84, center guides, double pin, rubber | ||
| Width | 580 mm |
Pitch | 150 mm |
| Links(shoes) | 86 |
Track ground contact | 4.17 m |
| PERFORMANCES | |||
| Maximum Speed | 38 km/h on road 8-32 km/h off road |
Range | 161 km on road |
| Mileage | 412 L/100km on road |
Maximum grade | 30° (from horizontal) |
| Trench crossing | 2.30 m |
Vertical obstacles | 0.61 m |
| Maximum fording depth | 1.02 m |
Minimum turning diameter | 25 m |
| Sources | |||
| AFV Database | Vehicles.com | - |
|
Drawings |
File |
