SU-122-54 - a tank that was in service with the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II.Self-propelled artillery had a number of advantages over its predecessors, such as powerful gun and good angles, allowing the tank to act even against the great enemy weapons.The history of the project and the first prototypes of this model is quite long, but this is explained by the fact that the tank had to be something entirely new and valuable in service with the Soviet Union to outshine their predecessors and only bring victory.The goal justified the means, the tank came out strong, persistent and pleasantly stands out against a weak enemy armored vehicles.
little history
Predecessor SU-122-54 was known self-propelled artillery SU-100, which has become obsolete and required improvements, and in 1947 it ceased altogether to produce.Already in 1948, governments agreed to start development of a new automatic control system, which would be equipped with a 122-mm cannon on the basis of the T-54 CT.
responsibility for the project was appointed JS Bushnev.All calculations were to be presented in July 1948, but since there was a delay with the design of the gun for the tank, the first prototype was demonstrated to government recognition in a few months - namely in December.
After eliminating defects drawings were re-sent for consideration to the special committee.In August 1949 he approved the layout and tankostroitelny plant started creating experimental specimens.Soon the work was temporarily suspended due to changes in the technical specifications ST T-54.It was decided to modernize the original layout and change the layout of the tank, which significantly slowed down the preparation of the final version of the project.
first samples and production
first prototype saw the world as early as 1950, the end of which has been completed factory testing.Preliminary testing of the machine took place in June and July 1951 and in August of that year, SU-122-54 was sent to a state diagnosis.Studies have found a few bugs that are then fixed, and then to PT-ACS have been prepared all the documents required to submit a new car into production.Several years have passed this model study before it was ready for production, which was not possible due to lack of suitable guns.SAU SU-122-54 was adopted by the Soviet Union in 1954 and put into production in 1955. The car was created in small batches, the total number of finished copies were about 100 pieces.
tank production was short-lived, it is due to the fact that the rapid drafting a new, more powerful tank weapons.The designers were creating rockets, both terrestrial and marine, guided missiles, which were much more accurate.So soon the tank is outdated and no longer manufactured.The remaining items can be seen in the tank museum in Kubinka.
General Specifications
- The crew consists of 5 people.
- Weight ACS is 35.7 tons.
- tank length 9,97m.
- height - 2,06m.
- frontal armor - 100 mm.
- side armor - 80 mm.
- speed limit - 48 km / h.
- Cannon - D-49.
- machine gun - 2 * KPVT 14.5mm
- Ammunition - 35 shots / 600 cartridges.
- range - 13.4 km.
- Engine - B-54.
- Engine power - 52 horsepower.
crew
The crew of the self-propelled artillery included five people: commander, gunner, a driver and two loaders (left and right).The SU-122 separation of management combined with combat that allows all members of the crew of the team to communicate.
Felling and forehead
During the construction of the tank a strong emphasis was placed on the reservation and protection.Especially creators bothered cabin, which was cooked from armor plates so that the angles were the highest, and therefore increases the possibility of a rebound.The thickness of the frontal armor reached 100 mm at an angle of inclination of 51 degrees, giving the front of the tank excellent level of protection.
Engine
Since the diesel engine was in the case in the transverse position, is it possible to upgrade the engine-transmission unit and make it more compact.Suspension, transmission and power plant were taken predecessor PT ACS SU-122-54, and several changed.
Cannon
installed on the machine gun D-49, which could be applied no less damage than an instrument of Soviet heavy tank IS-3.The angles of elevation and traverse of the gun was 16 degrees.The instrument is also equipped with an ejector and rammer shells, which was created to help improve the rate charged and firearms to 5-6 rounds / minute.
D-49 was placed in the front compartment housing, which was itself part of an armored tank.The SU-122 ammunition included a variety of projectiles, including armor-piercing, high-explosive grenades and standard howitzer.D-49 has been paired with a machine gun KPVT having pneumatic charge, which was mounted on the roof of the cabin.In the same department was rangefinder.
armor penetration and areas
Tank SU-122-54 also known as production called "Object 600" has gained wide popularity in the game World of Tanks ("World of Tanks").It is no surprise, because the interest in the art of Soviet armor in the CIS remains high enough already for many years.
The game, like on a real battlefield, at any technology there are weaknesses.For SU-122 in a frontal collision is recommended primarily aim at rangefinder, as though he has a good book, there are very small angles, therefore, the tank can cause serious damage.
Lower armor plate has a very strong defense and rarely manage to damage the tank.The same applies to the case, although it is less fortified, still remains an elusive goal.Pierce the armor of a tank that can develop a very powerful tool.
more vulnerable side and feed the armor in these areas is 80 and 45 mm, respectively.Tag entering the feed can cause a fire in the SU-122-54."World of Tanks" offers a variety of equipment like this car and its predecessor - the T-54.
save the model
Until now, reliable data exist only one copy, which is represented in the museum of armored Cuban women.In one of the museums in Kiev, dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, presented imitation SU-122-54, which, in fact, is the SU-100, the trunk is cut.There is also evidence that the military is part of Sertolovo tractor, which was rebuilt from the SU-122.
Overview SU-122-54 shows that even taking into account some of the shortcomings of the machine, it has been claimed.At the very least, it confirms the number of issued copies.Already after the first test in combat, shooting of the self-propelled awarded numerous accolades and praise.Later, after the ACS has been widely used on the battlefield, added to the successful arrangement and improved armor.In later versions of the model it was also set another, more powerful gun.Therefore, in general, the SU-122 can be called a strong and popular machine.Evidence of this can serve requests from front-line commanders, who insisted that they have identified is the tank even after he was removed from production.
