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Soviet Union's SU-122 (Samochodnaya Ustanovka)1 self propelled gun
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
SU-122 self propelled gun: |
| 1/72 Diecast Armor |
|---|
| Forces of Valor |
85041: |
Design
In the summer of 1942, S.J. Kotin and other designers, were given the task to develop a medium self-propelled gun initially called the SU-35.2
The Central Artillery Directorate (GAU) in April 1942 gave instructions to several design teams to work on a self propelled vehicle that could carry the 122 mm gun.1
Crew
The five man crew were able to work inside the roomy (compaired to tanks with turrets) superstructure.1
Armament
The gun was held in a cast mantlet with fabricated armor cover for the recoil system. Excelled at attacking strong points but was weak on antitank performance. HEAT ammunition was developed but is was only effective at short ranges and still wasn't capable of piercing much armor.
Late models had similar ball mantlet as the SU-85.2
Prototype
UZTM Team
The Uralsky Heavy Machine Tool Factory (UZTM) designated its design as the U-35.1 They used a T-34 chassis to build a box like superstructure onto.1,2 The superstructure had a 122 mm M-30 gun installed.1 The frontal armor was 1.77" / 45 mm thick.1
Zavod Nr 592 Team
The Zavod team designated its design as the SG-122.1 This used a German PzKpfw III chassis with a new hull.1 It posed great difficulties with mainenance of a foreign made chassis without spare parts being available.1
Production
First issued in January 1943. In late 1943 production was phased out in favor of SU-152.
- SU-122: 1,1482
- Production:
December 1942 - 19441
- 1942: 252, 261
- 1943: 6301,2
- 1944: 4931,2
- Production:
December 1942 - 19441
Variants
- SU-122:
- SU-122M: Prototype.1
- SU-122P: Prototype.1,2 Self propelled gun with a 122 mm 1931/37 corps cannon.2 Was to be a tank destroyer.1
- SU-122-3: Prototype.1
Usage
Used in platoons of 3 vehicles each.
In the spring of 1943 self propelled gun regiments were formed with 17 SU-76s and 8 SU-122s.2 In April they had 4 or 5 batteries of 5 guns each of the same type.2 They were to support the infantry and defend against tank attacks.2
| Samokhodnaya Ustanovka (self propelled mounting) | SU-122 | SU-122 Model 19431 |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Driver, gunner, commander, 2: loaders1,3 51,3 |
4 - 52, 51 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 69,440 lb 30 tons1, 30.9 tons1,3, 34 tons1 30,900 kg1 |
30.9 tons2, 34 tons1 30,900 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 22' 8"1, 23' 2" 6.95 m1,3 |
22' 8"1 6.95 m1,2 |
| Length w/o gun | 5.93 m2 | |
| Height | 7' 5"1, 7' 8.5" 2.32 m1,3, 2.3 m1 |
7' 5"1 2.15 m2, 2.3 m1 |
| Width | 9' 8"1, 10' 3 m1,3 |
9' 8"1 3 m1,2 |
| Ground clearance | 0.4 m2 | |
| Ground contact length | ||
| Ground pressure | 0.68 kp/cm2 2 | |
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 122 mm M38 howitzer, 122 mm M-303 122 mm M-30S1 , 122 mm Howitzer1 |
122 mm howitzer1 122 mm 1938 M-30 S2 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 402 | |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 453 Side: 453 |
1.77"1 451 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 451 | 452 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 452 | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 451 | 452 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 452 | |
| Hull Rear | 451 | 452 |
| Hull Top | 201 | 202 |
| Hull Bottom | 201 | 102 |
| Turret Front | ||
| Turret Sides | ||
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | W-2, V-21 | W-2/342 |
| Bore / stroke | 4 stroke2 | |
| Cylinders | V-122 | |
| Net HP | 5003 | 500@1,800 rpm2 |
| Transmission | ||
| Power to weight | 16.2 hp/ton2 | |
| Fuel type | Diesel2 | |
| Octane | ||
| Capacity | 810 liters1 178 gallons1 |
800 liters2 |
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 10° each way3 | -3° to +25°2, 20° |
| Max Speed | 34 mph1, 35 mph 55 kph1,3 |
34 mph1 55 kph1,2 |
| Cross Country | ||
| Road radius | 186 miles1, 186.4 miles1 300 km1 |
186.4 miles1 300 km1, 600 km2 |
| Cross country radius | 93 miles1 150 km1 |
|
| Turning Radius | ||
| Elevation Limits | -3° to +26°3 | |
| Fording depth | 1.3 m2 | |
| Trench crossing | 2.5 m2 | |
| Vertical Obstacle | 0.73 m2 | |
| Climbing ability | 30 - 33°2 | |
| Suspension (Type) | ||
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Track length | ||
| Tires | ||
| Track width | ||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin's Armored Might, by Tim Bean & Will Fowler, 2002
- Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
