Development

From January 1946, Several concepts were designed to comply with the new US Army specifications based on the new T37/T41 chassis under development. On two were selected for further development, the T98 and T99 155 mm howitzer motor carriages (HMC). Towards the end of the Korean War, the US Army sought to replace the M41 Howitzer Motor Carriage with the M44, a brand new vehicle using the drive train of the recent M41 light tank and the prototype retained was designated the T99E1.

Developed in parallel, the T99 was the first officially authorized, by September 1947. Two pilots were constructed by Detroit Arsenal. They were armed with the new 155 mm Howitzer T97 which had a traverse of 30 degrees on either side, and -5 to +65 degrees elevation. The Korean War broke out in 1950 and trigerred some emergency, with the "crash development" program. The development and production of modifed pilots went on and encountered numerous problems due to this rush. All was pressed on for these to be ready for the war in Korea, as soon as possible.

The T99 was based on the T41 chassis but the latter was alreadys improved, into the T41E1 als rushed into production. So the T99 was redesigned T99E1 to retain commonality between designs. The T99E1 weighted 30 tons and used the same power package. Components were rearranged however of course to free the rear part of the hull. Tests showed a top speed of 35 mph. It was further developed as the T97E1.

The rushed development of the T99E1 underline many design flaws. As a result, the T99E1 was cancelled despite the production of over 250 vehicles. The design was altered again, evolving into the T194 which had an open top and carried the improved 155 mm Howitzer T186E1. It was standardized as the M45. The first 250 of these T99E1s were then rebuilt as the T194 standard which had the new improved Continental AOSI-895-5 engine, standardized as the M44.

For the 250 vehicles already produced by the Massey Harris company, it was discovered that firing the howitzer discharged poisonous fumes into the gun compartment, leading to the cancellation of the order. Engineers offered a revised design called the T194E1 with a modified howitzer and open crew compartment that successfully vented the fumes, though at the cost of crew protection. This added extra development time, making the whole purpose of rshing the program missing its deadline. The M44 was never in action in Korea but was evaluated the last weeks.

Design of the M44

The larger chassis and more powerful engine gave it increased battlefield mobility. Fortunately the better chassis allowed to create a fullly enclosed armor around the howitzer, unlike the M41 and M12 Gun Motor Carriage. The five man crew had an extra armor protection. The latter was a 155mm, a modified version of the M114, known in the ordnance as the M45 Howitzer. It was a a modified recoil system and was more compact. Only its top and barrel emerged from the casemate, as well as the the 24 rounds of ammunition placed inside two racks at the rear of the vehicle. The commander was given a cupola aft, with a mount with a cal.50 Browning.

The semi-enclosed casemate comprised a folding window left of the gun for the gunner, and at the front of the casemate was located engine air cleaner service doors. On both sides were located fire exitinguisher service doors. The right one was taller than the left one. At the front nose were located lifting eyes, and head light guards on both sides. The drivetrain comprised a front drive sproket, six roadwheels per side (the last was used as an idler) and four return rollers. Behind were located four shock absorbers and two hydraulic dampers. The Continental AOS-895-3 (500 hp) was later replaced by the Continental AOSI-895-5 (550 hp) on the M44A1. The casemate built around the howitzer was plated by 13 mm of armour (.5 inches). Top speed was 45 kph, and the crew comprised five, the driver, Gunner, Loader, Commander and Radio.

Main weapon: M45 Howitzer

M45 Howitzer, US Army photo The M45 Howitzer (infos to come). http://otm-uswot.blogspot.com/2017/10/m44.html

Production and users

Total production figure is allusive, either 250 US-built, later distributed through NATO countries through MDAP, or 600 to 700 by additions.
The already produced vehicles were upgraded to the new standard and deployed to frontline units in 1954, too late to see action in the Korean War. The M44 fleet was later upgraded with AOS-895-6 engines designated M44A1. The M44 served on until 1963 when it was replaced by the M109 in the 1970s. The M44 was apparently never deployed to Vietnam.

With NATO

The M44 was exported to West Germany (Bundeswehr), Italy (where it was called the Semovente M44), and the UK (where it was called "Cardinal", to retake the traditional ecclesiastical naming for self-propelled artillery) and Turkey. In British use, by 1956, the United Kingdom received 58 M44s through the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. 52 were deployed to the British Army of the Rhine (West Germany) in the 1st Royal Horse Artillery and the 4th Royal Horse Artillery. The remaining six were based on UK. They replaced there the old Canadian-built Sexton self-propelled howitzer. Later, the M44s went to reserve units, and ultimately they were retired and returned to the United States in June 1968, to be scrapped. A handful were preserved, notably at Aberdeen proving grounds.

Variants

• T94E1 Closed-topped prototype pilot vehicle
• T194E1 and M44: Revised open-topped production model
• M44A1: M44s upgraded with AOS-895-6 engine, increasing range to 82 miles
• M44T: Turkish upgrade

credits Afvdb.50megs.com

The Turkish M44T

The old fleet of M44 SPHs in the inventory in the 1970s were southt after for either a replacement or overhaul. Turkey choose the latter, as it did with man other weapons systems. The M44 was completely overhauled along a program that went on the 1980s, led by Rheinmetall. It ran from 1986 to 1992 and concerned all remaining 222 vehicles suitable for upgrades. Here are the list of improvements:

1. 155 mm howitzer/36 with improved range (24.7 km)
2. MTU MB 833 Aa-501 V-6 diesel engine 450 hp at 2,300 rpm
3. Allison CD-500-3 + ZF gearbox transmission
4. Upgraded suspension (new coil springs, torsion bars)
5. New padded tracks
6. Increased fuel capacity for better autonomy
7. New fire control
8. New modern driver's seat, moved into the hull
9. 100+ other modifications

*Some sources claim they have now been withdrawn, but some were filmed and showed in an RT footage allegedly in Northern Syria by 2015.

Known Users

• United States : 250 in service, retired from 1965
• United Kingdom : 58 received in 1955, serving until 1968
• West Germany: Unknown numbers, retired 1960s
• Belgium: Adopted in 1956, until 1967. 25 in stock by 1983
• Greece: All retired.
• Italy: In Heavy battalion of Italian Armored divisions (included Ariete) until 1970.
• Turkey: 222 in service, upgraded to M44T by Rheinmetall 1986-1992.
• Japan: 10 used 1965-1980s, replaced by the Type 75.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:M44_howitzer_in_the_Gunfire_Artilleriemuseum_Brasschaat

Links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M44_self_propelled_howitzer
http://adsl.kirov.ru/projects/articles/2017/06/03/samohodnaya-artilleriyskaya-ustanovka-m44-ssha/
https://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m44_howitzer.php
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product3723.html
https://weaponsystems.net/system/878-M44
https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m44.htm
https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=647
http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/dieter_krause/m44_spg/
https://modelersalliance.org/galleries/?album=1074
https://heatnews.cz/2020/01/m44-hmc/
http://otm-uswot.blogspot.com/2017/10/m44.html

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M44 SPH specifications
Dimensions	6.16 x 3.24 x 3.11 m (20 ft 3 in x 10 ft 8 in x 10 ft 2 in)
Total weight, battle ready	32 short tons (29,000 kg)
Crew	5 (2 Loaders, Gunner, Commander, Driver)
Propulsion	Continental AOS-895-3 450 hp (340 kW)
Suspension	Torsion bars
Speed (road)	56 km/h (35 mph)
Range	121 km (75 miles)
Armament	155 mm L/23 Howitzer
Armor	12 mm sides and front (0.24 in)
Total production	circa 650 in 1954-1960

Illustrations

The M41 HMC, the M44 was replacing, for comparison


M44 of early production in 1954


Belgian M44 right side view


M44 with its lowered spade


M44 of the 3rd cavalry, preserved


Preserved M44 with partly washed out paint


Italian Semovente M44, the large Italian flag was probably for the display (preserved)


M44 of the Spanish Artillery with tarpaulin (now preserved)


M44 self-propelled howitzer of the Bundewehr

Photos

German Bundeswehr M44

Video: M44 in action

Model Kit: M44 155mm Self-propelled Gun, Giesbers Models 1:76