SU-76M

SU-76M (SU120) Samokhodnaya Ustanovka (self-propelled mounting) 76M When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 the Red Army had no self-propelled guns of any kind, and certainly nothing equivalent to the German Marders. Soviet commanders were impressed with the German vehicles and in October 1942 the Defence Ministry decided to produce their own self-propelled guns. This product is no longer currently available for sale...

One of these guns was to be based on the T-70 chassis. The SU-76 was designed by the design bureau of N A Astrov. After initial failures in field-testing with the first SU-76 model in late 1942, the modified and improved SU-76M was put into production in May 1943. It was built on a widened and lengthened T-70 chassis with the addition of another suspension unit. The engine, fuel tanks, and driving positions were changed and moved to the right front.

Early models had an engine placed on each side of the vehicle, but later models (the SU-76M) had two GAZ 203 air-cooled gasoline engines. It mounted the 76.2mm Zis-3 gun. At first it was used as a tank destroyer, but as the Zis-3 gun proved inadequate to deal with improved German armour it was later used as an assault gun. The gun could fire high explosive, and a variety of armour piercing rounds.

Due to its open top and cramped fighting compartment it was nicknamed "Suka" (bitch) by the crews.     It was issued to self-propelled gun regiments in the mechanized and armoured corps. From April 1943 self-propelled gun regiments that had 4 or 5 batteries, which contained 4 SU-76Ms each. Armament: 76.2 mm Zis-3 Anti-tank gun  Crew: 4 Armour (max.): 10-30mm Speed (max.): 45 km/hr Weight: 10 ton

In Flames of War The SU-76M can support any type of Soviet Battalion as they are found in the Assault Gun Companies. Though the Zis-3 gun proved a formidable weapon in 1941-42, by the final introduction of the SU-76M in 1943 German armour had improved greatly. It is still capable of taking out the bulk of German Panzer III and IVs.

In Stalin's Onslaught the SU-76M companies gain the benefit ofthe Volly Fire special rule. If they did not move in the Movement Step they may reroll failed rolls To Hit when shooting their main guns at teams up to 16"/40cm away. See Page 33 Stalin's Onslaught. The SU-76 is Fully-tracked, has armour Front 3, Side 1 and Top 0, has Wide Tracks and is armed with the Zis-3 gun. The Zis-3 has Range 32”/80cm, ROF 2, AT 9 and FP 3+. Designed by Evan Allen Painted by Jeremy Painter