SU-100 Tank Destroyer from the left
|
|
The SU-100 was a Soviet tank destroyer developed as an up-gunned version of the SU-85 after the 85mm gun used in that vehicle was installed in the T-34-85. Its powerful 100mm gun meant that the SU-100 was capable of dealing with even the most powerful German tanks of the Second World War, and it remained in service for many years after the war.
Two guns were considered for use in the new tank destroyer – the 100mm D-10 and 122mm D-25. Both of these guns took up more space inside the vehicle, and to make space the commander’s position was moved to the right and a commander’s cupola added. Prototypes were built of both variants. Trials revealed that the 122mm was too powerful, and so the 100mm gun was chosen. The new SU-100 went into production in September 1944.
The majority of the SU-100s were used as part of the equipment of the Guards Mechanised Artillery Brigades, to provide a defence against the Tiger II. Their combat debut came in January 1945 in Poland. Around 1,200 SU-100s were produced during the war, and production continued on into the 1950s, by which time around 6,000 had been produced in the Soviet Union and another 1,400 in Czechoslovakia. The SU-100 remained in service well into the 1960s.
Stats
Number produced: September 1944-1956
Produced: c.8000
Length: 9.45m with gun, 5.92m without
Hull Width: 3.00m
Height: 2.25m
Crew: 4
Weight: 31.6 tons
Engine: 500hp V-2 Diesel
Max Speed: 48 km/hr
Max Range: 320km road, 180km off-road
Armament: D-10S 100mm
Armour
|
Front |
Side |
Rear |
Top/ Bottom |
Hull |
45mm |
45mm |
45mm |
20mm |
T-34 Overview - T-34 Variants - T-34 Production - OT-34 Flamethrower Tank - SU-85 tank destroyer - SU-100 assault gun - SU-122 tank destroyer
Russian Tanks of World War II, Stalin's Armoured Might, Tim Bean and Will Fowler. A good overview of the development of Soviet Tanks from the early models based on British and American originals to the excellent Russian designed T-34 and the heavy IS tanks. Bean and Fowler also look at the development of Soviet tank doctrine, the impact of Stalin's purges on the tank forces, and their use in combat from the small-scale clashes in the Far East to the apocalyptic fighting on the Eastern Front between 1941-45. A little lacking on precise details of the sub-variants of some of the tanks, but otherwise very good.
