- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
The M55 is a self-propelled howitzer of American origin that is fully enclosed and armored. It is built upon the foundation of the M53 155 mm self-propelled gun. The M55 incorporates elements from the M47 Patton tank, with a unique twist in its automotive design. The engine is positioned at the front and is connected to a front-drive sprocket, enabling the vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 50 km/h (as indicated on Wikipedia). Due to the driver’s seat being located within the turret, a specialized seat is utilized to ensure that the driver maintains a forward-facing position, regardless of the turret’s direction.
During the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, the United States leased 12 8-inch Howitzers, of the 12, 6 of them were M55 8-inch Self Propelled Artillery Pieces , which the ROCA stationed on the Island of Kinmen.
The ROCA used the M55 for a brief period, it is said that the US reacquired them for fear of a Taiwanese naval attack on the PRC. with the M55 being taken away, the US gave a few more 8-inch howitzers to the ROCA, being emplaced in large concrete bunkers and other positions around the island.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 6 (1 Gunner, 1 Commander, 1 Driver, 3 Loaders)
Total Weight - 45,400 kg
Length - 9.72 m
Width - 3.58 m
Height - 2.4 m
Ground Clearance - 0.47 m
Ground Pressure - .817kg/cm²
Turret Ring Diameter - 1.51 m
Powerplant - 1 x Continental AV-1790-5B (Gross Power output - 596 kW at 2,800 rpm)
Transmission - General Motors CD-850-4 (2 Forward, 1 Reverse)
Max Speed - 35-56 km/h (Sources Differ)
Max Grade - 60°
Tracks - T80E6
Suspension Type - Torsion
Range - 240 km
Armor
Vehicle Assembly - Welded
Armor Composition - Rolled Homogeneous Steel
Hull UFP - 25mm
Hull LFP - 25mm
Hull Sides - 13mm
Hull Rear - 13mm
Hull Roof - 13mm
Hull Floor - 13mm
Turret Frontal Plate - 13mm
Turret Sides - 13mm
Turret Rear - 13mm
Turret Roof - 13mm
Fire Control and Armament
Main Armament - 1 x 203.2mm (8 in.) M47 Howitzer
Gunner Sight - T159E1 Telescope
Reload Time - ~120 seconds
Ammunition Count - 10 Shells
Shell Type - High Explosive (Unknown if adaptable to other 8 in. Howitzer Ammunition, such as HE-VT, APCBC, etc.)
Main Armament Horizontal Traverse - 30-30 (Right-Left)
Max Traverse Rate - 10°/s (Hydraulic, Manual Crank also present)
Main Armament Vertical Traverse - +65 -5
Max Traverse Rate 7.5°/s (Hydraulic, Manual Crank also present)
Machine Gun Mount fitted, unknown if .50 Cal fitted in Taiwanese Service.
Secondary Armament - 1 x 12.7mm M2HB in Flexible Cupola Mount.
360° of Traverse
Ammunition Count - 900 Rounds.
Sources