Z100-005 SU-122 SOVIET SPG

The SU-122 is a Soviet self-propelled gun (also classified as a tank destroyer) from the Second World War. The first prototypes of this car appeared in 1942, and the production of serine continued in the years 1942-1943. Approximately 640 vehicles of this type were created in its course. The weight of the vehicle was 31 tons. The drive was provided by a single V-2 engine with a capacity of 500 HP. It was armed with the 122 mm M-30 howitzer. The crew also had two 7.62 mm PPS submachine guns. Work on the SU-122 began in 1942, in connection with the decision of the Main Artillery Board to introduce new self-propelled guns to the line. During the design work, it was decided that the new SPG would use the chassis of the T-34 and many of its structural elements. Design works proceeded at a very fast pace, which led to the fact that in December 1942 the mass production of the car was initiated. Overall, the SU-122 was a rather successful SPG, based on a proven and successful chassis and suspension, with good off-road characteristics. The considerable disadvantages were the crampedness of the crew compartment (due to the size of the M-30 howitzer) and the rather small angle of fire, especially the complicated aiming process. However, the weapon was considered much better than the SU-76 self-propelled gun. The SU-122 vehicles were used on the Eastern Front from 1943 to 1945. Few of them, however, survived the war.