Land Weapons

Self-Propelled Gun (1950)

Cadillac

M37 HMC

M37 HMC
M37

The M37 HMC was a self-propelled howitzer that was designed as the successor to the M7 Priest. It was based on an lengthened version of the M24 Chaffee's chassis, which had the driver located at the front left and an open top fighting compartment in place of the superstructure and turret. The power train also borrowed elements from the M5 light tank. The M37 was armed with a short-barreled 105-mm M4 howitzer, the same that was used in the close support versions of the M4 Sherman tank. It had a range of just over 11 km, making it effective in the infantry support role especially considering its carrying capacity of 126 rounds. One of the most notable structural features of the M37 was a pulpit mount on the right of the fuselage which was used to equip a .50 cal Browning machine gun, the height of the pulpit allowing it to fire around the main armament at most elevations. This too was a feature borrowed from the M7. Production of the M37 began in early 1945 but entered service too late to see service in World War II. However, it did see combat in the Korean War before being replaced by the M52, though some remained in reserve service until the 1960s. The only export customer was Spain.

The prototype T76 began deveopment in 1943 and entered service as the 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M37 in the second half of 1945. No variants aside from the original model were built.

Preceded by:

M7 Priest (1942)

Succeeded by:

M52 (1955)

Datafile

DesignM37 HMC
TypeSelf-Propelled Gun
Year1945
Crew7
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)18 ft 0½ in
Width9 ft 10½ in
Height9 ft 4 in
Ground Clearance2 ft 6 in
Track0 ft 0½ in
Track Width16 in
Track on Ground10 ft 4½ in
Weight
Combat101,413 lbs
Ground Pressure11.58 psi
SuspensionTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)35 mph
Range (Off-Road)99 mi
AmphibiousNo
Fording4 ft 6 in
Vertical Obstacle3 ft 12 in
Trench9 ft 12 in
Gradient60%
Powerplant
Engine2 x 148-hp
Cadillac
44T24
FuelGasoline: 111 gal
Power/Weight6.43 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 105-mm L/22
105-mm M4

Howitzer
↑ 42.8° / ↓ -10.5° / ↔ 126°
SecondaryAnti-Aircraft:
1 x 12.70-mm
M2HB .50 cal
Ammo12.7-mm: 990
Armor
TypeSteel
Thickness-
Max Effective-
Production
Built316
Total316

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