Specification Crew : 4 Engine power : 2 x 85 hp Combat weight :10,200 kg (22,491 lb) Max speed : road 45 km/h (27.95 mph) Range : 320 km (198.72 miles) Length : 5 m (16.41 ft) Width : 2.70 M (8.86 ft) Height : 2.01 m (6.89 ft) Main gun : 76.2 mm(3 in) Armour : 10 mm (0.39 in) to 35 mm (1.38 in)

The first Soviet self-propelled gun combined a 76.2 mm (3 in) ZiS-3 field gun with a lengthened T-70 light tank chassis.The gun was mounted in an armored box.The chassis was fitted with an extra road wheel.Known as the SU-76M Light Mechanized Gun it went on to be the most numerous of all World War II Soviet armored vehicles apart from the T-34 tank series. Mass production began in early 1943 although few were action before 1944.Early examples had mechanical troubles due to drive arrangements that had already proved unworkable on the early T-70 light tanks.Although intended to double as a tank destroyer and issued with limited quantities of armour-piercing ammunition , the SU-76M primarily served as an assault gun.Its gun could fire the same ammunition as other Soviet 76.2 mm (3 in) field guns and a high-velocity solid shot was developed to penetrate enemy armour. Despite its widespread employment the SU-76M was never a popular vehicle with its crews.The armored superstructure was open at the top and rear so the crew were vulnerable to attack and had no protection against the elements.The SU-76M went on to a long post-war career serving with many nations until well into the late 1980s.