1945- U.S.A. M43 8" Howitzer Motor Carriage

Armament:      1 -M1 8" howitzer
Armor:             32mm - 100mm
Engine:           Continental, R975-C4, 9 cyl., radial, gas, 395 hp
Speed:           24 mph
Range:          100 miles
 Crew:            8
Weight:          41 tons

The M1 155mm gun (towed) shared its carriage with the 8" howitzer. The barrels could be changed quite easily. Therefore, when the M40 SP 155mm gun was developed, it was logical to mount an 8" howitzer on the same carriage. In 1945, a design was standardized as the M43. Only 48 were built of which 24 were conversions of the T83's 155mm. The components of the M4 tank were used with HVSS suspension. There was a shield for the gun, but no cover was provided for the crew. They remained in service until the 1950s, being used in Korea.