The M55 Self-Propelled Howitzer was a short-lived American development emerging out of the 1950s. The vehicle was designed around commonality of automotive parts with the existing M46 and M47 Patton series of medium combat tanks stocking US Cold War inventories at the time. The M47 replaced the M46 but was, itself, eventually replaced by the improved M48 in turn. The M55 was similar in scope and function to the preceding M53 self-propelled assault gun armed with a 155mm main gun barrel. However, the M55 utilized a much larger 203.2mm M47 howitzer instead which limited total ammunition carried due to the heftier shells. Production of M55s was handled by the Pacific Car & Foundry Company throughout the 1950s. Many US Army M53 systems were then upgraded to the M55 standard while USMC examples retained their M53 design qualities.
Outwardly, the M55 was something of an awkward-looking utilitarian-minded machine. While borrowing the chassis, hull and automotive components of the 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.
Power for the M55 vehicle was served through a Continental AV-1790-5B 12-cylinder gasoline-fueled engine outputting at 810 horsepower. This was mated to an Allison CD-850-4 transmission system that featured two forward and one reverse gears. The vehicle, therefore, could manage up to 30 miles per hour on ideal surfaces and featured an operational range out to 160 miles. As improvements were brought into the Patton tank lines, the M53 and M53 vehicles adopted some of these measures including the AV-1790-7B engines and CD-850-4B transmissions. Similarly, the original stick steering control arrangement later gave way to a conventional steering wheel design.
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Specifications
Pacific Car and Foundry Company - USA Manufacturer(s)
FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.
32.0 ft (9.75 meters) Length
97,003 lb (44,000 kg) Weight
48.5 tons (Medium-class) Tonnage
1 x Continental AV-1790-5B 12-cylinder gasoline engine developing 810 horsepower. Drive System
30 mph (48 kph) Road Speed
162 miles (260 km) Road Range
1 x 203mm main gun barrel
1 x 12.7mm Browning M2HB anti-aircraft heavy machine gun.
AMMUNITION
10 x 203mm projectiles
900 x 12.7mm ammunition
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