155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M411-8

M41: General
Date of first acceptance June 1945 Total acceptances 85
Manufacturers
  • Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp.
  • Massey Harris Co.
Crew
5 men:
  • Chief of section in hull right front
  • Gunner in hull left rear
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant gunner in hull right rear
  • Cannoneer in hull left rear
M41: Dimensions
Combat weight with T72 tracks 42,500lbs
19,300kg		 Height 94"
240cm
Length 230"
584cm		 Howitzer overhang forward 0"
Width 112"
284cm		 Tread 96"
240cm
Ground clearance 17"
43cm		 Fire height 77"
196cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration with T72 tracks 10.7psi
.751kg/cm²
M41: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
155mm Howitzer M1 M14 on rear of chassis 22 rounds 37.5°
(20.5° left and 17° right;
manual)		 +45° to -5°
(manual and electric)
Aiming equipment
Panoramic telescope M12 and telescope M69D (early vehicles); panoramic telescope M12A6 or M12A7G (late vehicles) for gunner
M41: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front .5"
1.3cm		 60°
Lower front .5"
1.3cm		 45°
Sides .5"
1.3cm		 12°
Rear .5"
1.3cm		 0°
Tailgate .25"
.64cm		 0° (raised)
Front top .5"
1.3cm		 90°
Rear top Open
Crew shields .25"
.64cm		 0°
Front floor .5"
1.3cm		 90°
Rear floor .375"
.953cm		 90°
M41: Automotive
Engine Twin Cadillac Series 44T24; 16 cylinder (8/engine) 4 cycle, 90º vee gasoline
Horsepower Net: 220@3,400rpm (110/engine)
Gross: 296@3,200rpm (148/engine)		 Torque Net: 480 ft-lb@1,200rpm (240/engine)
Gross: 560 ft-lb@1,200rpm (280/engine)		 Fuel capacity 110gal
420L
Transmission Twin Hydramatic, 8 speeds forward, 4 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M41: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 5 individually sprung dual/track 4 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Dual compensating at rear of track On first 2 and last 2 road wheels/track
M41: Track
T72
Center guide, single pin, rubber bushed, steel, parallel grouser
Width 16"
41cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 80 Ground contact length 124"
315cm
T85E1
Center guide, double pin, rubber bushed, rubber, chevron
Width 14"
(16.5" with extended end connectors)
36cm
(41.9cm with extended end connectors)		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 80 Ground contact length 124"
315cm
M41: Performance
Max level road speed 35mph
56kph		 Max trench 108"
274cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 40"
100cm
Min turning diameter 46'
14m		 Max fording depth 42"
107cm
Cruising range ~100mi, roads
~160km, roads

The self-propelled howitzer M41 was based on a lengthened M24 Chaffee chassis, and had many of the same modifications as the hull of the M19 self-propelled twin 40mm anti-aircraft gun. The M41's engine was moved to behind the drivers' compartment, and the 155mm howitzer mount was placed at the rear of the vehicle. An electric elevation system was fitted. The electric elevation system's handle was used for coarse laying, but fine adjustments were made by a handwheel. The handwheel could be used in both powered or manual modes.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, volume 1. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1992. Reprinted with permission from Stuart, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1992, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. TM 9-744 155-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M41. Washington, DC: War Department, 17 September 1947.
  3. TM 9-331B 155-mm Howitzer M1 and Mount M14 (Mounted on 155-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M41). Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 23 March 1953
  4. TM 9-3043 Ordnance Maintenance: 155-mm Howitzer M1; Recoil Mechanisms M6, M6A1, M6A2, M6B1, and M6B2; 155-mm Howitzer Carriages M1A1 and M1A2; and 155-mm Howitzer Mount M14. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 2 December 1953.
  5. ORD 9 SNL G-236 (Includes SNL G-238) List of All Parts for Carriage, Motor, 155-mm Howitzer, M41 (T64E1) (SNL G-236); Carriage, Motor, 105mm Howitzer, M37 (T76) (SNL G-238). Washington, DC: War Department, 15 September 1947.
  6. TM 9-1729C Ordnance Maintenance--Light Tank M24 and 155-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M41 Tracks, Suspension, Hull and Turret. Washington, DC: War Department, September 1947.
  7. FM 6-82 155-mm Howitzer M1, on Motor Carriage M41. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 14 October 1953.
  8. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
Last updated 19 Dec 2024.
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