Product Description
SU-76M (SU120)
Samokhodnaya Ustanovka (self-propelled mounting) 76M
When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 the Red Army had no self-propelled guns of any kind, and certainly nothing equivalent to the German Marders. Soviet commanders were impressed with the German vehicles and in October 1942 the Defence Ministry decided to produce their own self-propelled guns.
One of these guns was to be based on the T-70 chassis. The SU-76 was designed by the design bureau of N A Astrov. After initial failures in field-testing with the first SU-76 model in late 1942, the modified and improved SU-76M was put into production in May 1943. It was built on a widened and lengthened T-70 chassis with the addition of another suspension unit.
The engine, fuel tanks, and driving positions were changed and moved to the right front.
Early models had an engine placed on each side of the vehicle, but later models (the SU-76M) had two GAZ 203 air-cooled gasoline engines. It mounted the 76.2mm Zis-3 gun.
At first it was used as a tank destroyer, but as the Zis-3 gun proved inadequate to deal with improved German armour it was later used as an assault gun. The gun could fire high explosive, and a variety of armour piercing rounds.
Due to its open top and cramped fighting compartment it was nicknamed "Suka" (bitch) by the crews.
It was issued to self-propelled gun regiments in the mechanized and armoured corps. From April 1943 self-propelled gun regiments that had 4 or 5 batteries, which contained 4 SU-76Ms each.
Armament: 76.2 mm Zis-3 Anti-tank gun
Crew: 4
Armour (max.): 10-30mm
Speed (max.): 45 km/hr
Weight: 10 ton
Models come unpainted. Some assembly may be required.
