GAZ-75

The GAZ-75 was an experimental Soviet anti-tank self-propelled gun designed by the design bureau of the Gorky Automobile Plant under N. A. Astrov. It was one of several attempts in 1943 and 1944 to field a heavier 85 mm gun on a light armoured chassis after the 76 mm ZIS-3 proved ineffective against German Tiger and Panther tanks. The design was finished in 1943 and a single prototype was built and sent for trials in 1944, but it never entered series production. Work was dropped because the vehicle jerked violently when firing within 10 to 15 degrees of azimuth. The GAZ-75 was based on the experimental SU-74D with parts borrowed from the T-70 light tank, had a welded closed-type hull with 82 mm frontal armour, carried a D-5S-85A gun with 42 rounds, and was powered by two series-coupled GAZ-80 carburettor engines of 85 hp each. A stabiliser on the rear road wheels was meant to stop the hull settling on firing.