FORT SNELLING MILITARY MUSEUM

The M114A1 Howitzer is a medium field artillery weapon consisting of the following components:  Cannon, 155 mm Howitzer: M1 or M1A1; Recoil mechanism: M-6 series; Carriage, 15 mm Howitzer: M1A1 or M1A2.

Length:  24 ft; Width: 8 ft; Height: 5 ft, 11 in.; Weight 12,488 lbs.

Ammunition types:  HE, CHEM, ILLUM, SMOKE, and SMOKE (BE)

Muzzle Velocity:  HE, CHEM, SMOKE BE........1,850 fps ILLUM....................................................1,160 fps

Range (max):  HE, CHEM..........................16,355 yds SMOKE...................................................9,700 yds  ILLUM....................................................7,100 yds 

Rate of Fire:  First 1/2...................................2 rd   First 4 min...................................................8 rd  First 10 min................................................16 rd Prolonged Fire....................................40 rd per hr 

Time to Emplace:  5 minutes

Crew:  11

The M7B1s were built by the Pressed Steel Car Company during 1944 and into January 1945, totaling 826 vehicles.  They were the last type to se service in WWII.  Because of the pulpit-like machine gun mount, the British nicknamed the M& "Priest.

The M7B1 used a hull from the M4A3 "Sherman" Medium tank complete with its Ford GAA V-8 engine.

Length: 244 in.; Width: 114 in.; Height: 100 in.   Weight: Over 50,000 lbs combat loaded.

Armament:  105 mm M2A1 Howitzer, .50 cal M2 Machinegun.  The M2A1 105mm Howitzer had a muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps and had a range of almost 7 miles.

Powered by a Ford GAA V-8, liquid cooled, 1100 cu in, 500 hp gasoline engine coupled with a Buick synchronized transmission with five forward speeds and one reverse, the M7B1 had a fuel capacity of 168 gallons and a maximum speed of 26 mph.

The M110 is a full tracked vehicle and provides a highly mobile and maneuverable, self-propelled weapon capable of being air transported in large cargo aircraft.  It is designed to provide general artillery support to ground troops and close general support to armored columns.  The M110 provides mobility for the Cannon, 8-inch Howitzer: M2A1E1, and gives protection to the infantry in offensive combat. 

The M110 was built by the Pacific Car and Foundry and Food Machinery Corporation (FMC).

Armament:  Mounting an M2A1E1, it could loft a round weighing 200 pounds a distance of 10 1/2 miles, at a muzzle velocity of 1,935 feet per second.

Length: 24'6"; Width: 10'4"; Height: 9'7"; Fighting Weight: 58,500 pounds; Ground Clearance: 17.88 inches

Powered by a Detroit Diesel Model 8V71T, turbocharged, liquid cooled, 568 cu in, V-8, diesel engine coupled with an Allison Model XTG-411-2A Cross-drive transmission with four forward speeds and two reverse speeds, the M110 had a fuel capacity of 300 gallons, a fuel consumption rate of 1 1/2 miles per gallon, and a maximum speed of 35 mph.

The medium, self-propelled howitzer is a full tracked, armored, combat support, internally loaded air transportable, diesel-powered vehicle with  excellent ground mobility.  The primary armament includes a 155 mm cannon and a M178 mount, with firing accomplished by an M35 firing mechanism which uses cartridge type primers.  The vehicle carries a crew of six:  howitzer driver, chief of section, two cannoneers, gunner, and assistant gunner.

The howitzer is powered by an eight cylinder diesel engine.  The vehicle transmission is a combined transmission, differential, steering and braking unit.  Controls for these components are located in the driver's area.

The suspension system for each side consists of 7 sets of roadwheels with support arms, 2 shock absorbers, 1 track adjusting link, 2 track drive sprockets, hubs, compensating idler wheel and track.  Primary springing is done by individual torsion bars for each roadwheel arm.

The hull and cab assemblies protect the crew and equipment against small arms fire.  The vehicle is divided into three sections:  driver's compartment, engine compartment, and fighting equipment.

Primary Armament:  155mm, M185 Howitzer            Tube length: 19 ft, 10 in.

Length:  359 in.; Width: 124 in.; Height: 129 in (including machinegun); Ground Clearance: 18 in.; Weight (combat loaded):  26 Tons; Fuel Tanks: 135 gal. diesel.

Max speed: 35 mph; Cruising range: 220 miles; Grade capacity: 60%.  Max trench crossing: 72 in.; Max vertical wall: 21 in.; Max turning radius: 1 vehicle length; Fording depth: 42 in.

Differences between models:  Unlike the M109A2 production model, the M109A3 is converted from a M109A1 model with a series of Product improvement kits.  Improvement kit modifications were done on the following: 1) Commander's cupola, 2) Gunner's escape hatch, 3) Electrical contact arm assemblies, 4) Machinegun mounts, 5) Turret bearing shield, 6) Seat handle latch, 7) Gauge covers.

The M108 is an armored, full track-laying vehicle that provides a self-propelled carriage for 105 mm howitzer with adequate mobility for direct support of combat teams employing armored personnel carriers and tanks.

The Cadillac Motor Car Company received the initial contract for the T195E1, and the first deliveries were in October 1952, as the M108.

Crew: 5; Length: 241 in.; Width: 130 in.; Height: 125 in. Weight (combat loaded): 46,900 lbs.                  Weight (less crew, stowage): 40,100 lbs

Armament:  105mm M103 Cannon, .50 cal M2 Machinegun, M20A1B1 Rocket Launcher, Five each 7.62 mm M14 Rifles.  The muzzle velocity of the M103 Cannon was 1,550 feet per second and the range was 6 1/2 miles.

Powered by a GMC Detroit Diesel 8V71T turbocharged, V-8, 2 stroke, liquid cooled, 8 cylinder, 568 cu in, 425 hp, diesel engine coupled with a GMC Allison Div XTG-411-2A cross-drive transverse transmission with 4 forward ranges and 2 reverse ranges, the M108 had a fuel capacity of 135 gallons, a cruising range of 240 miles and a max-sustained speed of 35 mph.                               

The M44 is an armored, full track-laying vehicle designed to provide armored, highly mobile 155mm howitzer to give close support to both rapidly moving and standard infantry columns.

Crew: 5; Length 243 in.; Width: 128 in.; Height: 127 in. Weight (crew and equipment) 62,500 lbs                      Weight (empty) 58,000 lbs.

Armament: 155mm M80 Howitzer, .50 cal M2 Machinegun, .45 cal M3A1 Submachinegun, and 4 each .30 cal M2 Carbines.

Powered by a Continental AOS-895-3, air-cooled, opposed 6 cylinder, supercharged, 895 cu in, 500 hp, gasoline engine coupled with a General Motors Corp (Allison Div) CD-500-3 cross-drive transmission with two forward ranges and one reverse range, the M44 had a fuel capacity of 150 gallons and a cruising range of 76 miles at a consumption rate of 1/2 mpg and an allowable speed of 35 mph.