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The Su-14-1 next to the T-35 at the Kubinka tank museum.
The SU-14-1 was the second prototype of the Su-14 heavy self-propelled gun built in 1934, it was later modified into an assault gun for use in the Winter War. However, it was completed too late to be used during the war. It was later used alongside the SU-100Y during the defense of Moscow in 1941.
Note: Many sources often described the enclosed hull version of the SU-14-1 as “SU-14-2” or “SU-14MR2”. This is however incorrect, as there is no official record of the name change. Therefore this article will refers to the vehicle in question as “SU-14-1”.
History:
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The initial SU-14 prototype, based on a modified hull of the T-28.
The SU-14-1 prototype, based on a modified hull of the T-35. Note the circular holes on the sideskirt as opposed to the square hole on the SU-14 in the image above.
The SU-14-1 was originally developed in 1934 by the Factory #174 as a second, improved prototype of the SU-14, a heavy SPG based on the hull of the T-28 tank. The SU-14-1, being based on the T-35 heavy tank, was intended to be a more robust version of the SU-14, which suffered from its overloaded chassis. Both vehicle were intended to be a carriage platform for the huge 203 mm B-4 howitzer, though later on the SU-14 was equipped with the high-velocity B-30 naval gun.
However, the SU-14 project would be rejected in 1936 due to its abysmal rate of fire of one shot per 5-7 minutes, further exacerbated by the Great Purge that resulted in the project chief designer P. N. Siachyntov being arrested and later executed due to many failed designs. Both prototypes were then sent to the Artillery Directorate’s Scientific Research Artillery Proving Grounds for storage.
The SU-14-1 after conversion into assault gun, 1940.
Another angle of the SU-14-1, the bulge on the right side are where the driver’s cabin are located.
When the Winter War broke out in later 1939, the need for a “bunker buster” artillery to counter the Finnish fortification arose. As the Soviet scrambled to find a platform for a large-calibre assault gun, the SU-14 project was briefly vitalized. Due to the vehicle’s huge size, a decision was made to convert both the SU-14 and SU-14-1 into a heavy assault gun. Compared to its contemporary, the KV-2, the SU-14-1 was to be mounted with a considerably more powerful 152 mm Br-2 cannon, of which the B-30 naval gun on the SU-14 is based on.
To fulfil the role as a frontline assault gun, both the SU-14 prototypes received an enclosed cabin and additional armor screening. This increased the frontal armor to 50 mm. The frontal part of the side is covered by additional 30 mm of sideskirt armor on top of preexisting ones, bringing the total thickness to 60 mm. The cabin is covered with 50 mm of armor at the front, 30 mm at the side, 20 mm at the rear, and 10 mm at the roof. This additional armor significantly increase the vehicle’s weight from 48 tons to 64 tons. Therefore the more powerful M-17-1T engine with 680 hp were installed to cope with the extra weight, though the vehicle is still quite slow, with a top speed of just 25 km/h.
While the newly upgraded SU-14s were proven to be a competent assault gun all things considered, with very stable firing platform and spacious fighting compartment. It arrived too late to saw service in the Winter War. However, both of the SU-14 prototype along with the SU-100Y (which were built based on the same initiative as the SU-14 conversion) did saw combat during the defense of Moscow in World War II. Out of the two prototypes, the only one that survives today is the SU-14-1 which is on display at the Kubinka Tank Museum, while the SU-14 prototype were scrapped in 1960s.
Specifications:
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Mass: 64 tons
Length: 10m
Width: 3.2m
Height: 3.5m
Crew: 7 (commander, driver, two gunners, and three loaders)
Engine: M-17-1T diesel, 680 hp
Suspension: Coil spring
Top speed: 25 km/h
Power/weight ratio: 10.625 hp/t
Protection:
50 mm on the frontal casemate with another 50 mm on gun mantlet20 + 30 mm applique armor on the hull
20 + 10 + 30 mm spaced armor on the frontal sides of the hull
20 + 10 mm spaced armor for the rest of the rest of the hull sides
30 mm on the side casemate
20 mm on the rear
10 mm floor of the hull
Armaments:
Main armament: 152 mm Br-2 gun (28 rounds)
Main gun elevation: 15 degrees
Main gun depression: 0 degree
Main gun traverse angle: 4 degrees to either sides
Machine guns: 5 x 7.62mm PT machine guns. One on the roof, and the rest around the hull.
Ammunition:
The 152mm Br-2 is a unique gun model that is currently not present in War Thunder. The gun has a significantly longer barrel than the 152 ML-10 howitzer derivatives and other guns of similar calibre currently in the Soviet tree.
The gun is capable of firing two rounds, the HE rounds with 6.53 kg of TNT filler, and an anti-concrete shell that its specifications sadly seems to be lost.
Photos:
Sources:
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Коломиец М., Свирин М. «Триплексы» СУ-14 // Танкомастер. — 1997. — № 3.
Исмагилов Р., Корнюхин Г., Проказов Б. Артиллерия и минометы XX века. — Смоленск: Русич, 2001. — ISBN 5-8138-0373-4.
Солянкин А. Г., Павлов М. В., Павлов И. В., Желтов И. Г. Отечественные бронированные машины. XX век. 1905–1941. — М.: «Экспринт», 2002. — Т. 1. — 344 с. — 2000 экз. — ISBN 5-94038-030-1.
СУ-14 — Википедия
SU-14 - Wikipedia
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