U.S. M44A1 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

U.S. M44A1 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer. . During the Korean War, the United States Army accepted the M44 155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage to replace the World War II, M41 155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage. The M44 was developed to provide fire support for fast-moving armored forces. It was produced by the Massey Harris Co., a company normally associated with the production of tractors and harvesting equipment. On 30 April 1951, the designation of the M44 was changed from a "Howitzer Motor Carriage" to "Self-Propelled Howitzer." The M44 entered service in 1954 and remained in service until it was replaced by the M109 in 1962. The M44 mounted a M45 155mm Howitzer on the reversed drive-train of the M41 Light Tank, giving it increased battlefield mobility. The crew of eight, including the driver, was housed in a barbette (non-rotating) turret, which gave the crew some armor protection, but there was no overhead armor, just a canvas top. The 155mm cannon was a version of the towed M114 155mm Howitzer, then in service, with a modified and more compact recoil system. Elevation and traverse were hydraulic and the carriage was stabilized by a hydraulically-operated spade. Twenty-four complete separate-loading rounds were carried onboard., Caliber - 6.1 in. - 155 mm , Weight - 62,810 lbs. - 28,500 kg , Range - 15,967 yds. - 14,600 meters , Shell Weight - 95 lbs. - 43.2 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 1,850 ft/sec. - 564 m/sec. , Elevation - (- 5 to +60 degrees) - (- 89 to +1,066 mils) , Traverse - 60 degrees - 1,066 mils , Rate of Fire - 1 rpm - Crew 8 , Maximum Speed - 35 mph - 56 kph , Cruising Range - 76 miles - 122 km , Engine - Continental 895 cubic inch, 6 cylinder, horizontal-opposed, supercharged, gasoline engine, 446 hp, Allison cross-drive transmission. , CCN#105455