M53/M55
M53_55 (Stock)
Totals
3550000 Price |
450 Hit Points |
44.6 / 44.7 kgWeight |
Crew
- Commander
Armor
25.4/12.7/12.7Hull Armor(front/sides/rear, mm) |
12.7/12.7/12.7Turret Armor(front/sides/rear, mm) |
Maneuver
770 h.p.Engine Power |
56.3 km/hSpeed Limit |
22 deg/secTraverse Speed |
Firepower
1250 Standard Shell Damage |
88 mmStandard Shell Penetration |
22 Time for Complete Loading |
10 deg/secTurret Traverse Speed |
Communication
350 mView Range |
500 mSignal Range |
IX
3550000
BDR G1 B late
Stock
Level | Gun | Weight (t) | Average Penetration (mm) | Rate of Fire | Dispersion at 100 m | Aiming Time | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIII | 155 mm Gun M46 | 3264 | 88/90 | 1250/1250 | 2.73 | 0.68 | 6 |
Level | Engine | Weight (t) | Engine Power (h.p.) | Chance of Fire on Impact | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIII | Ford GAC | 839 | 770 | 20 |
Level | Suspension | Weight (t) | Load Limit | Traverse Speed (deg/s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIII | T97/T108 | 23000 | 44.7 | 22 |
Level | Radio | Weight (t) | Signal Range (m) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
VIII | AN/PRC-10 | 0 | 500 |
Gerät 807B
Recon
Level | Gun | Weight (t) | Average Penetration (mm) | Rate of Fire | Dispersion at 100 m | Aiming Time | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIII | 155 mm Gun M46 | 3264 | 88/90 | 1250/1250 | 2.73 | 0.68 | 6 |
Level | Engine | Weight (t) | Engine Power (h.p.) | Chance of Fire on Impact | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
X | Continental AV-1790-7B | 1171 | 810 | 12 |
Level | Suspension | Weight (t) | Load Limit | Traverse Speed (deg/s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
IX | M53/M55 | 23000 | 48 | 24 |
Level | Radio | Weight (t) | Signal Range (m) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
X | AN/PRC-25 | 0 | 750 |
Gerät 807B
Attack
Level | Gun | Weight (t) | Average Penetration (mm) | Rate of Fire | Dispersion at 100 m | Aiming Time | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IX | 8-inch Howitzer M47 | 2776 | 102/241/102 | 1850/1450/1850 | 1.88 | 0.84 | 7 |
Level | Engine | Weight (t) | Engine Power (h.p.) | Chance of Fire on Impact | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
X | Continental AV-1790-7B | 1171 | 810 | 12 |
Level | Suspension | Weight (t) | Load Limit | Traverse Speed (deg/s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
IX | M53/M55 | 23000 | 48 | 24 |
Level | Radio | Weight (t) | Signal Range (m) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
X | AN/PRC-25 | 0 | 750 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Gun range: stock: 1400 m, top: 1290 m
- Very wide firing arc, gun is mounted on a "pseudo-turret" much like the GW Panther
- Very good speed and acceleration, though still doesn't compete with french artillery
- Decent traverse rate
- High alpha gun
Cons:
- Large profile
- Second gun has low accuracy
Early Research
- Nothing carries over from the M40/M43.
- The AN/PRC-25 radio carries over from the M44.
- First, research the M53/M55 Suspension.
- Next, research the 8-inch Howitzer M47.
- Finally, research the Continental AV-1790-7B Engine.
Historical Info
The M55 was an American fully enclosed and armored self-propelled artillery based on the M53 155 mm assault gun. It had a 203.2 mm howitzer which could traverse 30° left or right, carrying only 10 rounds of ammunition. The gun had a maximum range of 16,916 meters (10.51 miles) with a rate of fire of one round every two minutes. The M55 armor was light, 25 mm maximum, but sufficient to protect the crew from indirect artillery hits or small arms fire.
Development history
M53 & M55 self-propelled howitzers were quite unique vehicles. While borrowing the chassis, hull and automotive components of the M46/M47 Patton tanks, its internal arrangement was reversed to accommodate a rear-set fully-enclosed turret emplacement. The engine and transmission were now fitted to the front of the hull (as opposed to the rear) with the driver being relocated to the front-left of the turret (as in the M53). The track-and-wheel system involved seven double-tired road wheels per side along with the drive sprocket which was mounted at the front of the hull. One notable feature of the running gear was its lack of a track idler at the rear which gave the track link system of the M55 a very identifiable quality. Three track return rollers guided the upper track sections. The gunner crew operated under the protection of an enclosed armored structure which provided security against small arms fire or artillery spray as the steel armor protection was 25mm at its thickest. The complete crew numbered six and included the driver, vehicle commander, gunner and at least two loaders. The primary design characteristic of the M55 was its boxy turret emplacement, which was a turret in name only. Traverse was limited to 30-degrees to the left or right and little else, requiring the vehicle to be itself turned in the direction of fire more often than not. The 203mm M47 howitzer was of good strategic value, able to lob all manner of shells at the enemy position up to 17,000 meters. However, due to the large projectiles, the rate-of-fire was limited to just one round per two minutes and stowage aboard the vehicle meant that only 10 rounds could be carried - thusly limiting its tactical value (the M53 managed 20 x 155mm shells). Defense was through a Browning .50 caliber M2HB anti-aircraft/anti-infantry heavy machine gun mounted on a pintle at the commander's cupola.
Historical Gallery
Sources and External Links
USA
Self-Propelled Guns
USA | IIT57 • IIIM7 Priest • IIISexton I • IVM37 • VM41 • VIM44 • VIIM12 • VIIIM40/M43 • IXM53/M55 • XT92 |
UK | IILoyd Gun Carriage • IIISexton II • IIISexton I • IVBirch Gun • VBishop • VIFV304 • VIICrusader 5.5-in. SP • VIIIFV207 • IXFV3805 • XConqueror Gun Carriage |
Germany | IIG.Pz. Mk. VI (e) • IIISturmpanzer I Bison • IIIWespe • IVPz.Sfl. IVb • IVSturmpanzer II • VGrille • VIHummel • VIIG.W. Panther • VIIIG.W. Tiger (P) • IXG.W. Tiger • XG.W. E-100 |
France | IIRenault FT 75 BS • IIILorraine 39L AM • IVAMX 105 AM mle. 47 • VAMX 13 105 AM mle. 50 • V105 leFH18B2 • VIAMX 13 F3 AM • VIILorraine 155 mle. 50 • VIIILorraine 155 mle. 51 • IXBat.-Châtillon 155 55 • XBat.-Châtillon 155 58 |
USSR | IISU-18 • IIISU-26 • IVSU-5 • VSU-122A • VISU-8 • VIIS-51 • VIISU-14-1 • VIIISU-14-2 • IX212A • XObject 261 |
China | |
Japan | |
Czechoslovakia | |
Sweden |
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