M52 (self-propelled howitzer)

M52
General properties
crew	6 men (commander, driver, four men to operate the howitzer)
length	8.2 m
width	3.2 m
height	2.6 m
Dimensions	24.5 tons
Armor and armament
Armor	12.7 mm all around
Main armament	a 105 mm M49 howitzer, range: 11,100 m
agility
drive	Continental, AOS-895-3 506 hp
Top speed	56 km / h
Power / weight

The M52 self-propelled howitzer was a medium self-propelled howitzer made in the USA and introduced to the German armed forces in 1957 as a replacement for the M7 Priest .

description

The M52 self-propelled howitzer was based on the chassis of the M41 Walker Bulldog . The engine was in the front in the direction of travel, so that the vehicle drove backwards, so to speak. To prevent the vehicles from tipping backwards, the rear pulley was lowered as the sixth roller. A "Erdspornplatte" was retrofitted later to increase security.

Missing or non-functioning smoke evacuators led to problems during use in the closed combat area. The operating concept of the self-propelled howitzer was generally out of date. From the mid-1960s, the M109 self-propelled howitzer replaced the M52.

User states

•  Germany
•  Greece
•  Jordan
•  Spain
•  Taiwan
•  Turkey

literature

• David Miller: The illustrated directory of tanks of the world. Zenith Imprint, 2000, ISBN 978-0-7603-0892-9 .

Web links

Commons : M52 105 mm self-propelled howitzer  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

M52 self-propelled howitzer of the Bundeswehr at scalenews.de