Looking for some info based on a discussion on an old gaming forum I occasionally post on. The gun in the M10 Tank Destroyer- first off, this was the M7 gun, correct? And what about performance? Any comparisons? I did some web searches, and couldn't find too much...
Yes, the gun on the M-10 was the 3" M7 standardized from the earlier 3" anti-aircraft gun M1918. Of note is that the gun mount design for the M-10 allowed interchange of the 3" gun with either the 105 M1 howitzer or the British 17 pdr anti-tank gun (as done with the Achillies). Aiming was done with either the telescope M51, telescope M44 or open sight azmuith indicator M18 all provided on the vehicle (along with the standard M1 gunner's quadrant). The rounds available for this gun were: M62 APC projectile (APCBC/HE-T) M93 HVAP projectile (APCR-T) M79 AP shot (AP-T) M42A1 HE shell (HE) M88 HC B1 shell, smoke Armor penetration was about: M62 93mm @ 500 yds M93 157mm @ 500 yds M79 109mm @ 500 yds The total weight of the gun was 1990 lbs. This was reduced to 1141 lbs on the 76mm M1 gun by improved design of the recoil system (concentric spring) and vastly improved metallurgy.
The M-10 weighed only 5000lbs ? less than the Sherman yet was only around 3mph faster. And that was with 2 detroit deisels compared to the S hermans 1 gasoline engine. Even less armor then the Sherman [if thats possible]and not much faster.Even up-gunned to the 76mm,it could'nt stand off a safe distance like a "tank destroyer" should. The stat I have says the 76mm will penetrate 6.2inchs at 1000yds with armor piercing rounds.
Firing similar (APBC) projectiles at 1,000yards impacting at 30 degrees away from 'normal', the penetration stats go like this: 76mm/3 inch - 90mm (performance was more or less equal) British 77mm - 100mm 17 pdr - 120mm Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and Discussion forum
Excellent info. So it appears that- the M7 gun was not quite as good as the 17 pounder, but relatively close... thanks!
