M40 GMC
Encyclopedia
The 155 mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 was a US self-propelled artillery
vehicle built on a widened and lengthened Medium Tank M4A3
chassis but with Continental engine and with HVSS (Horizontal Valute Spring Suspension) that was introduced at the end of the Second World War
. Equipped with a 155 mm M2 gun, it was designed to replace the earlier M12 Gun Motor Carriage
. Its prototype designation was the T83, but this was changed to the M40 in March 1945.
A single pilot vehicle was used in the European Theatre in 1945 by 991st Field Artillery Battalion, along with a related 8 inch Howitzer Motor Carriage T89 which was sometimes also equipped with a 155 mm barrel. From there it was deployed during the Korean War
.
After World War II the M40 was used by the British Army
, who designated it 155 mm SP, M40.
Self-propelled artillery
Self-propelled artillery vehicles are combat vehicles armed with artillery. Within the term are covered self-propelled guns and rocket artillery...
vehicle built on a widened and lengthened Medium Tank M4A3
M4 Sherman
The M4 Sherman, formally Medium Tank, M4, was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. Thousands were also distributed to the Allies, including the British Commonwealth and Soviet armies, via lend-lease...
chassis but with Continental engine and with HVSS (Horizontal Valute Spring Suspension) that was introduced at the end of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Equipped with a 155 mm M2 gun, it was designed to replace the earlier M12 Gun Motor Carriage
M12 Gun Motor Carriage
The 155 mm Gun Motor Carriage M12 was a U.S. self-propelled gun developed during the Second World War. Only 100 were built; 60 in 1942 and a further 40 in 1943. It mounted a 155 mm gun M1917, M1917A1 or M1918 M1, depending upon availability, a weapon derived from the nearly identical...
. Its prototype designation was the T83, but this was changed to the M40 in March 1945.
A single pilot vehicle was used in the European Theatre in 1945 by 991st Field Artillery Battalion, along with a related 8 inch Howitzer Motor Carriage T89 which was sometimes also equipped with a 155 mm barrel. From there it was deployed during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
After World War II the M40 was used by the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, who designated it 155 mm SP, M40.
Variants
The Army planned to use the same T38 chassis for a family of SP artillery:- Cargo Carrier T30 - a few built before cancellation in December 1944 to make more chassis available for GMCs
- 8 inch Howitzer Motor Carriage M43 - 8 in (203 mm) HMC, standardized August 1945, 48 built
- 250 mm Mortar Motor Carriage T94 - 10 in (250 mm) MMC, began design Feb. 1945, one prototype completed in 1946
Related vehicles
- 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7B1M7 PriestThe 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was an American self-propelled artillery vehicle produced during World War II. It was given the official service name 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and...
- self-propelled 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (HMC) based on the M4A3 Sherman chassis. - 155 mm Gun Motor Carriage M12M12 Gun Motor CarriageThe 155 mm Gun Motor Carriage M12 was a U.S. self-propelled gun developed during the Second World War. Only 100 were built; 60 in 1942 and a further 40 in 1943. It mounted a 155 mm gun M1917, M1917A1 or M1918 M1, depending upon availability, a weapon derived from the nearly identical...
- self-propelled 155 mm Gun Motor Carriage (GMC).- Cargo Carrier M30 - an M12 with crew and ammunition space in lieu of the gun.