SU-76 Samokhodnaya Ustanovka4 (self propelled mounting):

World War II Russia SU-76 Self Propelled

World War II Russia SU-76 Self Propelled

Russia's SU-76

With the First Byelorussian Front, in eastern Germany, in February, 1945.
Image: SU-76 (27K)

Image: SU-76 (19K)

In June 1941 there were no self propelled gun in the Russian army. The Red Army became impressed with all the ones the German Army was using. It was October 1942 when the Defense Ministry decided to produce their own self propelled gun. Was configured on the T-706 chassis that was widened and added another suspension unit. The engine, fuel tanks, and driving positions were changed and moved to the right front. Some had rear doors and other open backs. Some had the radiators on the track covers and others in the engine compartment.

Early models had an engine placed on each side of the vehicle. Late models had 2 GAZ 203 air cooled gasoline engines. At first was used as a tank destroyer but was later used as an assault gun.

Was nicknamed "Suka" (bitch) by the crews. Fired HE, APHE, HVAP, and HEAT rounds. Models weren't reliable. The gun could fire a 14.3 lb AP round at a muzzle velocity of 2,172'/sec.6 The HE round had a range of 12,580 yards.6

It was used in self-propelled gun regiments in mechanized and armored corps. As of April 1943 there were self-propelled gun regiments that had 4 or 5 batteries, which contained 5 SU-76s each. In 1944 several rifle and guard rifle divisions received their own units.

SU-76M:

Was designed by the design bureau of N. A. Astrov. Used T-70M chassis. The engines were placed back together in a row. Production started in May 1943.

  SU-76 SU-76 1943 SU-76 1944 SU-76M
Crew 41,4,6 42   41,3
Physical Characteristics        
Weight 22,491 lb, 23,810 lb4
10,800 kg4
11.2 tons5, 12.3 tons6
11.2 tons2 11,200 kg1, 11.02 tons1 10,200 kg3, 10 tons1,3
Length w/gun 16' 0.1"4, 16.2'6, 16' 8.5"
4.88 m4, 5 m5
  5 m1, 16' 5"1 16' 5"3, 5 m1,3
Length w/o gun        
Height 7', 7.1'6, 7' 1.4"4
2.17 m4, 2.2 m5
2.2 m2 2.2 m1, 7' 3"1 6' 11"3, 2.1 m1,3
Width

8.9'6, 8' 11.5"4, 9' 1.75"
2.73 m4, 2.74 m5

2.74 m2 2.74 m1, 9'1 8' 10"3, 2.7 m1
Width over tracks        
Ground clearance 12.5"6 0.3 m2    
Ground contact length 130"6      
Ground pressure 8.1 psi6
0.57 kp/(cm2)2
     
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main 76.2 mm ZiS-3 M1942-431
76.2 mm4
76 mm ZIS-3Sh5
76.2 mm Model 42/43, L/41.56
76 mm ZIS-3 M19422   76.2 mm ZiS-3 L/413
Secondary        
MG 7.62 mm MG4
     
Side arms   7.62 mm PPSch-41 machine pistol2    
Quantity        
Main 626 601,2   601,2
Secondary        
MG        
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm) 10-353
Front: 1"@50°6, 355
Side: 165
     
Hull Front, Upper   352   351
Hull Front, Lower   26-352    
Hull Sides, Upper   152   161
Hull Sides, Lower   10-162    
Hull Rear   10-162   161
Hull Top   102   0-101
Hull Bottom   102   101
Superstructure Front 0.4" - 0.6"6      
Superstructure Sides        
Superstructure Rear        
Superstructure Top        
Engine (Make / Model) 2: GAZ4
2: GAZ 2031,2,3
     
Bore / stroke        
Cooling Water6      
Cylinders 2x66      
Capacity        
Net HP 704 each6
1405
     
Power to weight ratio        
Compression ratio        
Transmission (Type) Constant mesh6
4 forward, 1 reverse6
     
Steering Clutch brake6      
Steering ratio        
Starter Electric6      
Electrical system        
Ignition        
Fuel (Type) Gasoline4,6      
Octane        
Quantity 116 gallons6 400-420 liters2   420 liters1, 92 gallons1
Road consumption 2.4 mpg6      
Cross country consumption 1.6 mpg6      
Performance        
Traverse 32°6      
Max speed 28 mph4,6
44 kph5, 45 kph4
45 kph2 44 kph1, 27 mph1 28 mph3, 45 kph3
Cross country speed        
Road radius 199 miles, 280 miles4,6
450 km4
250 km2 265 km1, 165 miles1 320 km1,3, 199 miles1,3
Cross country radius 185 miles6     190 km1
118 miles1
Turning radius        
Elevation limits -3° to +25°6      
Fording depth 2' 11"4,6
0.89 m4
0.9 m2    
Trench crossing 6.5'6 1.6-2 m2    
Vertical obstacle 26"6 0.65 m2    
Climbing ability 25° (47%) slope6      
Suspension (Type) Torsion bar6      
Wheels each side 66      
Return rollers each side 36      
Tracks (Type) Dry pin6      
Length        
Width 11.75"6      
Diameter        
Number of links 896      
Pitch 4.5"6      
Tire tread        
Track centers/tread 7.9'6      
Production 1942-: 12,600
1942: 261,2
1943: 1,9281,2
1944: 7,1551,2
1945: 3,5621, 3,5522
     

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. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  4. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  5. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  6. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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