SU-12

The SU-12 (Russian: СУ-12) self-propelled gun battery (gun truck) was created in 1934 by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by mounting a 76 mm regimental gun M1927 onto a modified GAZ-AAA truck, and was in production from 1933 to 1935.[1] The cannon's barrel and recoil system were modified to reduce recoil. It was the Soviet Union's first self-propelled gun. It had a four-man crew, including the driver, and the gun could rotate 270 degrees.[2]

SU-12 self-propelled gun battery
SU-12 (based on а Moreland truck) after maneuvers. Kiev Military District, 45th Mechanized Corps. Autumn 1933.
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1933–1938 (SU-12), 1941(SU-1-12)
Used by	Soviet Union
Wars	World War II Winter War Soviet–Japanese border conflicts
Production history
Designer	Leningrad Kirov Plant
Designed	1933
Manufacturer	Kirov Plant
Produced	1933-1935
No. built	48 (SU-12), 51 (SU-1-12)
Specifications
Mass	3.7 tons
Length	5.61m
Width	1.9m
Height	2.325m
Crew	4
Armor	4 mm gun shield, 4 mm roof plate, 4 mm rear shield, 2 mm rear window (SU-1-12 only)
Main armament	76 mm regimental gun M1927 (36 rounds)
Engine	GAZ M-1
Suspension	Leaf spring
Operational range	370 km
Maximum speed	60 km/h, highway

The SU-12 had no armor protection. This was corrected in the SU-1-12 model which added a front shield and roof armor of 4mm thickness. As time went by more armor, in the form of a 2mm rear window and a 4mm rear shield, were added to the SU-1-12 models. Most SU-12 units were decommissioned by 1938, but the Su-1-12 models served in the Battle of Lake Khasan, the Battles of Khalkhin Gol, and in the Winter War against Finland.[1] By 1941 only 3 were left in service and had been supplanted by tracked SPGs.