M7 Priest

Based on the chassis of the M3 Grant tank and despite being an improvised conversion, the M7 was very successful, with over 2000 manufactured. Your name (priest) was due to the shape of the pulpit at the top of the vehicle.

Description
The Army was reluctant to adopt self propelled artillery in the thinking that frequent mechanical breakdowns would negate their mobility, but in June 1941 plans were made to mount a 105mm gun on the chassis of the M-3 tank. Production began in the spring of 1942 and over 2,000 were built. The vehicle proved reliable and successful - its main fault being its relatively small gun.

Specifications
Weight: 22.5 ton. Garrison: 7 men (commander, driver and garrison cannon) Engine: Continental R-975 C1, gasoline (350 hp) Speed: 41.8 km / h (road) and 28 km / h (off road) Range: 201 km Length: 6.02 m Width: 2.88 m Height: 2.54 m Main Armament: 105 mm Howitzer M1A2 Secondary armament: Machine Gun Browning M2-HB 12.7 mm (flak) Ammunition: 69 rounds of 105 mm and 300 12.7 mm Hoof Shield: 12-50 mm (front), 12-38 mm (sides and aft) and 12-25 mm (floor) Shielding of Superstructure: N / a