M53 (self-propelled howitzer)

M53 155 mm
M53 as a test object at the Nevada Test Site in preparation for an atomic bomb test
General properties
crew	5–6 (commander, driver, gunner, 2–3 loaders)
length	approx. 9.75 m
width
height
Dimensions	42 t
Armor and armament
Armor	25 mm armored steel (maximum)
Main armament	155 mm howitzer 203.2 mm howitzer
Secondary armament	1 Browning M2 900 machine gun - 1,200 rounds smoke launch system
agility
drive	Continental AV-1790-5B, 12-cylinder 4-stroke gasoline engine with magneto ignition. Displacement 29.36 l Transmission = Allison CD-850-4A (two forward and one reverse gears) 810 hp at 2800 rpm
suspension	Torsion bar
Top speed	approx. 45 km / h terrain, 55 km / h road
Power / weight
Range	approx. 270 km

The M53 self-propelled howitzer was a self-propelled, armored artillery gun with a caliber of 155 mm, which was produced by the American company General Motors from 1952 to 1953. They were procured by many NATO member states. The howitzer was used intensively , especially during the Vietnam War . After the end of the war it was retired from the US Army.

Assemblies of the M47 battle tank were used , but the direction of travel was reversed. The turret now sat on the former bow of the hull of the main battle tank. The turret in which the driver sat was only weakly armored (against fragmentation and handgun fire). The engine and drive ring gear were now in front. To do this, the gearbox was rotated and adjusted. A hydraulically moved earth spur at the stern supported the gun when firing.

The M55 was largely identical, but had a barrel with a caliber of 203.2 mm (8 inches). 10 rounds could be carried in the turret. One bullet weighed approx. 96 kg. The photo shows an M55, some of which were also used in individual divisional artillery units of the Bundeswehr in the 1960s .

M55 in the US Army Ordnance Museum

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• Description on Battletanks.com
• Short text on fas.org

Web links

Commons : M55 203 mm self-propelled howitzer  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m55-8.htm
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m55-8-specs.htm
• http://www.battletanks.com/m55.htm
• http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/8insphm55.html