"Object 704 self-propelled gun" Topic

"The Object 704 self-propelled gun was a prototype tank utilising elements both the IS-2 and IS-3 tanks. It was designed to carry the 152.4 mm ML-20SM model 1944 gun-howitzer, with a barrel length of over 4.5 metres (29.6 calibers) and no muzzle brake. It had a maximum range of 13,000 metres. The self-propelled gun carried 20 rounds of two piece (shell and charge) armour-piercing and high explosive ammunition. The armour-piercing round, weighing 48.78 kg, had a muzzle velocity of 655 m/s. The rate of fire was 1-2 round/min. The secondary armament of the fighting vehicle consisted of two 12.7 x 108 mm DShK machine guns, one anti-aircraft and one co-axial. The vehicle was well armoured, up to 320mm in places, which would have made it one of the most impregnable vehicles of its type, the project was cancelled…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Looks like something Orks would use ! I kind'a like it !

In essence it is an ISU-152 built from an IS-3 rather than an IS-2.

And, while the only prototype mounted a version of the same 152mm ML-20 gun/howitzer (though without the muzzle brake) as the ISU-152, there was also some consideration given to mounting the longer, and even more powerful 152mm BL-10 gun.

If anyone is interested in more about this, the Chieftain did one of his two-parter video sets on it about 7-8 years ago.

Part 1, External: YouTube link

Part 2, Internal: YouTube link

Items I might note that, for as large as it looks on the outside, it was apparently VERY cramped on the inside. And, even though it looks like the side armor slopes inward from right above the upper track run, the armor of the hull sides was in fact boat shaped, sloping the opposite direction. It is just thin sheet metal covering the storage panniers that you see from the outside. This is as it was on the IS-III -- so the inside is very different from what you would have expected looking at the outside.

In any case, it is / was a fascinating vehicle. If it had come out a bit earlier, I'm sure they would have built a fair few of them to run around gobbling up uberpanzers (and large bunkers).

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Yes, that is what it looked like to me too. You can tell by the suspension system.

Many thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand