M7 HOWITZER MOTOR CARRIAGE (Priest)

M7 HOWITZER MOTOR CARRIAGE (Priest)
Image: M7 HMC (U.S. National Archive)
YearApril 1942
Vehicle Type[@type]
Origin & Designer[@designer]
Numbers Produced3.490
Crew7 (Commander, Gunner, Aimer, Three Loaders & Driver)
Main Armament1 x 105mm L/22.5 M1A1 Howitzer
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-5° to +35°
Turret Traverse15° Left & 30° Right (Manual)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun Sight6.02m
Secondary Armament1 x .50 cal M2HB Heavy Machine Gun (AA Mount)
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition Carried69 x 105mm & 300 x .50 cal
Height3.90m
Width2.87m
Length6.02m
Combat Weight23.000 kg
Ground Clearance0.43m
Fording Depth1.0m
Trench Crossing2.30m
Obstacle Clearance0.61m
Climbing Ability30°
RadioSCR 610
ArmourUpper Hull Front: 13mm.
Lower Hull Front: 51mm.
Upper Hull Sides: 13mm.
Lower Hull Sides: 38mm.
Hull Rear: 13mm.
Open Gun Compartment.
EngineContinental R975 C1 (Petrol)
Transmission5 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range119 miles (193 km)
Maximum Cross Country Range87 miles (140 km)
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed25 mph (40 kph)
Maximum Cross Country Speed15 mph (24 kph)
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
VariantsM7B1: Based on the M4 Chassis and introduced in 1943 and standardised in 1945
M7B2: increased elevation to +65° and mounting either the 105mm M1A2, M2 or M2A1 Howitzer. Redesigned gun mount for .50 cal. The M7B2 served in Korea
NotesAfter the events in Europe the US Army saw the need for a motorised self-propelled Howitzer to keep pace armoured units, the result was the M7 HMC. Based on the M3 chassis the M7 carried a standard 105mm howitzer, this was mounted in an open superstructure. The name “priest” came from the pulpit that mounted the .50 cal HMG. In 1943 a variant utilising the M4 chassis was issued and this was made standard in 1945. The M7 first saw action in 1942 and continued through World War Two and finally in Korea.