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Soviet Union's SU-76 Samokhodnaya Ustanovka4 (self propelled mounting)
Nicknames: Suka (bitch)1, Golozhopil Ferdinant (naked ass Ferdinand)1

SU-76 self propelled gun:
Soviet Union's SU-76 self propelled gun
SU-76 self propelled gun with the First Byelorussian Front, in eastern Germany, in February, 1945.
Soviet Union's SU-76 self propelled gun, with the First Byelorussian Front in eastern Germany, February 1945
SU-76 self propelled gun:
Soviet Union's SU-76 self propelled gun
SU-76 self propelled gun:
Soviet Union's SU-76 Self Propelled Gun
SU-76 self propelled gun:
World War II Russia SU-76 Self Propelled
SU-76 self propelled gun:
World War II Russia SU-76 Self Propelled
SU-76M self propelled gun:
Soviet Union's SU-76M self propelled gun
 

Design

When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 there were no self propelled guns in the Russian Army. The Soviets were impressed with all the self propelled guns that the Germans were using.

In 1942 the Defense Ministry decided to produced mobile artillery guns to support infantry and armored formations.1 The Zavod Nr 38 design team were given the specifications to design a self propelled gun.1 Initially, they were going to use the T-60 chassis to build upon.1 This chassis was found to be too small for the gun, so it was decided to use the T-70 chassis as it was stronger.1,6

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.

Crew

The driver was located in front of the main fighting compartment and had a passageway that connected him to the rear.2

Engines

Early models had an engine placed on each side of the vehicle.2 This lead to many breakdowns as it was a complicated setup.2

Late models had 2 GAZ 203 air cooled gasoline engines mounted in a row.2

Armament

  Type Weight Velocity Range Penetration
900 m
76.2 mm ZIS-3 (1942 model)2 HE2 6.2 kg2   8,600 m2 49 - 62 mm2
  HE6     12,580 yards6  
  AP6 14.3 lb6 2,172'/sec6    

Prototype

The first prototype, the OSU-76, was built on a T-60 chassis.1

The next prototype, the SU-12, was built on the T-70 chassis.1 It was a joint project between the Zavod Nr 38 and Zavod Nr 92 (Gorki) teams.1

The Main Defense Committee (GKO) accepted it for production in December 1942 and designated it the SU-76.1

Production

Variants

Usage

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.

At first was used as a tank destroyer but was later used as an assault gun.

  SU-76 SU-76 19432 SU-76 19441 SU-76M
Crew 41,4,6 42 41 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"6 352    
Superstructure Sides   152    
Superstructure Rear   152    
Superstructure Top   open2    
Engine (Make / Model) 2: GAZ4
2: GAZ 2031,2,3
2: GAZ-2032    
Bore / stroke   4 stroke2    
Cooling Water6      
Cylinders 2x66 2 x I-62    
Capacity        
Net HP 704 each6
1405
2 x 85@3,600 rpm2    
Power to weight ratio   15.2 HP/ton2    
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 24°2    
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      

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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