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M44 Howitzer faster backwards?
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silviop15
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:04 pm Post subject: M44 Howitzer faster backwards?
So I am looking at some pictures of the M44 SPG. It appears to have been mounted backwards on a M41 Chassis, similar to the British Archer. Did the vehicle go faster backwards than forwards?

Rick_Eshleman
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:56 pm Post subject: Re: M44 Howitzer faster backwards?
The M41 light tank, of which the M44 155mm SPG was derived, maxed out at 45mph, while the M44 had a top speed of 35mph. Like the M52 105mm SPG (35mph) it was slower. The M42 twin 40mm SPAAGs, also based on the M41 light tank, had maximum speed of 45mph. It must have been something to do with both the M44 and M52 facing backwards, and the trailing idler is now on the ground.

ED_GILBERT
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 12:57 am
Post subject: Re: M44 Howitzer faster backwards?

The lower speed was due to heavier chassis loading. The SP gun was mechanically reconfigured so that backwards was now forward, i.e. driver controls and drive train were designed to be driven engine-end first. The Archer as a SPAT was an ambush weapon, where driving away at full speed was something of an advantage. It was not mechanically reconfigured; it retained the driver at the old "front" end. The real issue for the M44 was chassis loading. The parent tank weighed 23.5 tons, the SPH 31 tons. Range was also reduced.

silviop15
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 2:47 am Post subject: Re: M44 Howitzer faster backwards?
Alright, thanks guys.

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