Would you like to see this in-game?
M7B1 Priest
Hello everyone. I’d like to suggest the M7B1 Priest for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. This Priest was built on the M4A3 Sherman chassis and powered by the Ford GAA engine, offering a little better mobility while retaining the iconic firepower of its predecessor.
History
Background
The M7 HMC was standardized for production in April 1942 after successfully testing the T32 prototypes. It was initially built on the M3 Lee medium tank chassis, with the armored compartment and turret replaced by a large, open-topped superstructure. Early M7 models retained many components from the M3 Lee, but as the design evolved, later production models, referred to as late model M7s, incorporated more parts from the M4 Sherman. These changes were driven by combat experience and field reports aimed at improving safety and performance.
Introduction of M7B1 Variant
A further evolution of the design resulted in the M7B1. Developed in parallel with the late M7s, the M7B1 was built on the M4A3 chassis, replacing the outdated M3 Lee platform. Powered by the Ford GAA engine, it could reach a top speed of 26 miles (41.9 km) per hour, just 2 miles (3.2 km) per hour faster than the standard M7. Though nearly identical in armament and layout, the M7B1’s powerplant and chassis offered improved reliability and compatibility with Sherman-based logistics.
The M7B1 retained the 105 mm M2A1 howitzer and introduced an extended machine gun pulpit, and a one-piece front casting from the M4 Sherman, instead of the three-piece differential housing used in earlier models based on the M3 Lee. It also adopted Sherman’s heavy-duty bogie suspension with rear-mounted return rollers. To address battlefield vulnerabilities identified in earlier models, the late model M7s and M7B1s received additional armor on the upper hull sides to shield vertically stowed ammunition and featured hinged armor flaps on the sides and rear to improve the ammunition and crew protection.
The easiest way to distinguish the M7B1 from the base M7 is by examining the rear engine deck: the M7B1 uses the M4 Sherman layout, while the standard M7 retains the M3 Lee’s configuration.
The Pressed Steel Car Company produced 826 M7B1 units between March 1944 and February 1945. These vehicles first saw combat with American forces in Northwest Europe in late 1944, equipping divisions with three mobile artillery battalions each. After World War II, many M7s and M7B1s were either scrapped or transferred to US allies, but a number remained in service and were deployed during the Korean War. However, their limited gun elevation severely hindered performance in the mountainous terrain. As a result, 127 M7B1s were modified to allow up to 65 degrees of elevation, creating the third and final variant: the M7B2.
Specifications
M7B1 Priest
General Characteristics
Crew: 7
Dimensions
Length: 243.75 in (619 cm)
Width: 113 in (287 cm)
Height: 116 in (295 cm)
Tread: 83 in (211 cm)
Fire Height: 76 in (193 cm)
Ground clearance: 17 in (43 cm)
Ground pressure: 10.3 lb/sq in (0.72 kg/sq cm)
Powertrain
Engine: Ford GAA
Gross Horsepower: 500 hp @ 2,600 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed synchromesh (1 reverse)
Combat Weight: 25 US tons (22.7 t)
Performance
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 20 hp/US ton (17.4 hp/t)
Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h)
Armament & Armor
Main Gun
105mm Howitzer M2A1 (Mount M4)
Ammo capacity: 69 rounds
Traverse: 45° total (15°L/30°R)
Elevation: -5° to +35°
Rate of fire: 8 rpm
Ammunition types:
M1 HE
M60 White Phosphorus
M67 HEAT
M84 Smoke
T24E1 APHE
Caliber: 105mm
Projectile Mass: 28.1 lb (12.74 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 1,930 ft/s (588 m/s)
Explosive Type: Exp. D
Explosive Mass: 0.6744 lb (305.9 grams)
TNT Equivalent: 299.78 grams
Fuze Type: B.D. M66A1
Fuse Delay: 1.2 m
Fuse Sensitivity: 20 mm
Armor Penetration Chart & T24E1 Documents
Secondary Guns
12.7mm M2HB MG (ring mount)
Ammo: 300 rounds
Elevation: -30° to +75°
Armor Protection
Construction: Welded RHA
Thickness:
Front:
Upper @ 30°: 0.5" (13 mm)
Lower @ 0-56°: 2.0-4.25" (51-108 mm)
Sides:
Upper: 0.5" (13 mm)
Lower: 1.5" (38 mm)
Rear: 0.5" (13 mm)
Floor:
Front @ 90°: 1.0" (25 mm)
Rear @ 90°: 0.5" (13 mm)
Related Suggestions
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M7B2 Priest
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the M7B2 Priest for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. This variant represents a significant upgrade to the iconic American self-propelled howitzer, tailored specifically for the mountainous terrain of Korea. It featured increased gun elevation and improved machine gun coverage, making it a uniquely modified version of the M7 Priest that served prominently during the Korean War.
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Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
6 Likes
+1
(Maybe we can get all the M7 variants for ultimate trollage)
2 Likes
+1, Gaijin, where is my WW2 western Allied arty. give me.
2 Likes
The short answer to the question of ‘should the M7 Preist be in War Thunder’ is “undoubtedly yes”
The long answer to the same question is “undoubtedly yes, absolutely, and, the follow up question: where was it ten years ago?”
2 Likes
Great TD at 3.3, then folder the M4A3 (105) with at and finally move that beast to a proper BR of 3.7
Great suggestion o7
2 Likes
I am still surprised this isn’t in the game yet. It has a decent reload rate, great ammo rack, anti-tank capable rounds, a good secondary machine gun and a decent gun traverse and elevation… This should fit well in lower tier in the US tech tree and could be followed with the M37, which was a slight upgrade to M7 but built on M24s chassis instead of M3 and M4s, like the M7s.
1 Like
Do i have to seek forgiveness every time i kill this thing?
1 Like
No, you are giving absolution with every kill.
2 Likes
Surprised this hasn’t been suggested yet!
1 Like
um yea, guess why we still havent got Su-5/Su-14/S-51, Wespe/Grille/Hummel/G.W. Tiger, Priest/M41/M12, AMX 13 105 SPG, Bishop, etc etc - because gaijin just prefers to sh-t all over tech trees with single copypaste machine like M44.
1 Like
Added T24E1 APHE shell and its specs for the M7B1.
2 Likes
A +1 from me! Way long overdue, it could be grouped with the M7B2 as well
