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Soviet Union's SU-152 self propelled guns
Samokhodnaya Ustanovka (self propelled mounting)
Nickname: "Zvierboy" (animal hunter)1

SU-152 self propelled gun:
Soviet Union's SU-152 self propelled gun
SU-152 self propelled gun:
Soviet SU-152 Self Propelled Gun
SU-152 self propelled gun:
Soviet SU-152 Self Propelled Gun
 
KV-13 prototype:
Soviet Union's KV-13 prototype
     

Design

The SU-152 used a KV-1 chassis.

The cartridge and shell were loaded separately, thus making the rate of fire 2-3 per minute.1,2 The SU-152 had a KT-5 or ST-10 telescopic sight.2

Type Weight Muzzle Velocity Direct
Fire Range
Indirect
Fire Range
Penetration
2,000 m
  39.94 - 43.56 kg2 2,149'/sec1
600 - 900 m/sec2, 655 m/sec1
700 - 750 m2 12,200 m2 110 mm1

Prototype

Prototypes were built at the Uralmash factory in Chelyabinsk and initially designated the KV-14.1,2

Production

The SU-152 was accepted for production on February 14, 1943.1

Variants

Usage

First 12 saw action at Kursk and was quite successful at destroying German Tigers and Panthers (12 Tigers, 7 Elefants)1.1,2

Was used as an assault tank and tank destroyer.

Used by the heavy self-propelled gun regiments of the armored and mechanized corps.2

 SU-152
Crew 51,2
Physical Characteristics 
Weight 101,920 lb
45.5 tons1,2, 50.1 tons1
45,500 kg1
Length w/gun 29' 4"1, 29' 10"
8.95 m1,2
Length w/o gun 6.75 m2
Height 8'1 , 8' 2"
2.45 m1,2
Width 10' 8"1, 10' 10"
3.25 m1,2
Ground clearance 0.44 m2
Ground contact length 
Ground pressure 0.85 kp/cm2 2
Turret ring diameter 
Armament 
Main 152 mm howitzer M-1937
152.4 mm 1937/43 (ML-20 S)2
152 mm ML-20S1
152 mm1
152 mm ML-201
Secondary 
MG  
Side arms 
Quantity 
Main 202,3
Secondary 
MG 
Side arms 
Armor Thickness (mm) 2.95"1
751
Hull Front, Upper 60-752
601
Hull Front, Lower 50-602
Hull Sides, Upper 502, 601
Hull Sides, Lower 602
Hull Rear 55-60, 601,2
Hull Top 20-30, 301,2
Hull Bottom 301,2
Turret Front 
Turret Sides 
Turret Rear 
Turret Top 
Engine (Make / Model) W-2-K, V-21,2
Bore / stroke 4 stroke2
Cylinders V-122
Net HP 6003, 600@2,000 rpm2
Power to weight ratio 13.2 hp/ton2
Transmission  
Fuel type Diesel2
Octane  
Quantity 600-615 liters2, 975 liters1
214 gallons1
Performance 
Traverse 12° each way2
Max Speed 27 mph1
43 kph1,2
Cross Country 
Road radius 206 miles, 205 miles1, 150 miles1
120-330 km1,2, 240 km1
Cross country radius 75 miles1
120 km1
Turning Radius 
Elevation Limits -5° to +18°2
Fording depth 1.6 m2
Trench crossing 2.7 m2
Vertical Obstacle 1.2 m2
Climbing ability 36°2
Suspension (Type) 
Wheels each side 
Return rollers each side 
Track length 
Tires 
Track width 
Track centers/tread 

Sources:

  1. Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin's Armored Might, by Tim Bean & Will Fowler, 2002
  2. Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
  3. Removed
Home page graphic for wwiivehicles.com, pictures of Sherman, T-34/85, Tiger, and Churchill