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SU-152 Glacis Armor Fillet

Francesco Majorana e-mailed me some time ago to point out an interesting anomaly between the crescent-shaped armor fillets on the glacis plates of the two Lubuskie Military Museum's SU-152s. I did a little further research and the results are described below.

Until now I was under the impression that the crescent-shaped armor fillet welded to the glacis plate of the SU-152, which protected the shot-trap beneath the mantlet, was attached in the same location in all SU-152s.  However, as Francesco Majorana pointed out, there are differences in the location of the fillet between the two vehicles at the Lubuskie Military Museum.  In photos 287, 288 and 301, which show chassis #30351, built prior to August 1943 (as evidenced by the lack of ventilators on the roof of the superstructure), the aft edge of the fillet is located some 80mm forward of the joint between the sloped and horizontal portions of the glacis.  See the picture below.

#30351

In photos 278 and 282 however, which show chassis #30954, built after August 1943 (the ventilators are present), the aft edge of the fillet touches the joint between the sloped and horizontal portions of the glacis.  See the picture below.

#30954

Francesco's theory is that the relocated fillet on later vehicles was a design/production change intended to further reduce the shot trap beneath the mantlet by raising the height of the top of the fillet.  A number of changes were made after combat experience during the Battle of Kursk, so I agree with Francesco's theory.

I completely missed the difference when examining the photographs and preparing the book.  Many thanks to Francesco for pointing it out.

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