Paper model tank destroyer SU-100- Soviet self-propelled artillery installation (ACS) of the period of the Second World War, a class of tank destroyers.

Materials and tools:

1. scissors, paper knife, drawing ruler;
2. tweezers;
3. brushes for glue and paint;
4. watercolor paints (or pencils), toothpicks;
5. transparent acrylic glue ("Moment", etc.);
6. for printing the model matte photo paper with a density of 170-180 g/m2; for small details - 70-80 g/m2.

1. Before assembling the part, read the drawings and instructions. Determine the location of each part and imagine its assembly;
2. make holes in the parts before cutting out the part itself;
3. cut out only the part(s) you need right now. Put unglued parts in a box, and unused sheets in a closed folder (as an option). When throwing garbage after work, carefully inspect the paper scraps;
4. for a better fold of the part, it is necessary to draw along the fold line under the ruler, pressing lightly with the blunt side of the knife or a toothpick so as not to damage the surface of the paper. It is better to do this from the wrong side of the part;
5. keep your fingers clean and be sure to use napkins to wipe your hands, because in the process, your hands can get dirty;
6. before gluing, wind cylindrical parts on a round object of a suitable diameter, this will give them a shape;
7. before gluing, it is necessary to paint over the ends of the part. White trim lines spoil general form models. To paint the ends, use watercolor or gouache paints. After choosing the right color, apply them in a thin layer, then let the paint dry. It is better to forget about felt-tip pens;
8. don't rush pasting. First, cut out the part, paint over it from the end, wait for the paint to dry, assemble the part. Attach it to where it should be to make sure everything is done correctly. And then stick it on. Don't forget to let the glue dry.

A bit of history

Soviet tank destroyer SU-100

SU-100 is a Soviet self-propelled artillery mount (ACS) of the Second World War period, tank destroyer class, medium in weight. It was created on the basis of the medium tank T-34-85 by the design bureau of Uralmashzavod in late 1943 - early 1944 as a further development of the SU-85 self-propelled guns due to the latter's insufficient capabilities in the fight against German heavy tanks. Serial production of the SU-100 was launched at Uralmashzavod in August 1944 and continued until early 1948. In addition, in 1951-1956, its production under a Soviet license was carried out in Czechoslovakia. In total, 4976 self-propelled guns of this type were produced in the USSR and Czechoslovakia.

The first combat use of the SU-100 took place in January 1945, and later the SU-100 was used in a number of operations of the Great Patriotic War and the Soviet-Japanese War, but in general their combat use was limited. After the war, the SU-100 was repeatedly modernized and remained in service with the Soviet army for several decades. SU-100s were also supplied to the allies of the USSR and participated in a number of post-war local conflicts, including the most active during the Arab-Israeli wars. By the end of the 20th century, the SU-100 was withdrawn from service in most of the countries that used it, but, nevertheless, in some of them, as of 2007, it still remains in service.

Uralmash engineers L. I. Gorlitsky, A. L. Kizima, S. I. Samoilov; engineers of plant No. 9 A. N. Bulanov, V. N. Sidorenko and mechanical engineer P. F. Samoilov for the creation of self-propelled guns in 1946 were awarded the title of laureate of the Stalin Prize of the first degree.

Prerequisites for creation

The first SPG of the tank destroyer class, launched into serial production in the USSR, was the SU-85. It was created on the basis of the T-34 medium tank and the SU-122 assault gun and put into production in the summer of 1943. The 85-mm D-5S cannon allowed the SU-85 to effectively fight enemy medium tanks at distances of more than a kilometer, and at shorter distances to penetrate the frontal armor of heavy tanks. At the same time, already the first months of the use of the SU-85 showed that the power of its guns was not enough to effectively deal with heavy enemy tanks, such as the Panther and Tiger, which, having an advantage in firepower and protection, as well as effective aiming systems, imposed a fight from long distances.

On August 29, 1943, the State Defense Committee issued an order on the speedy creation of more effective anti-tank weapons. In pursuance of the order, in September - October, Uralmashzavod, among a number of other self-propelled guns based on the T-34, completed a draft design for the installation of a 122-mm D-25 gun in a modified SU-85 hull. Further development of the project showed that such an alteration would cause an increase in the mass of self-propelled guns by 2.5 tons, as well as a decrease in ammunition and rate of fire. In general, the study of the presented options showed that the installation of a 122-mm cannon or a 152-mm D-15 howitzer on self-propelled guns like the SU-85 would cause an overload of the undercarriage and a decrease in the mobility of the vehicle, so it was decided to leave these guns for arming heavy tanks and self-propelled guns. On the other hand, the project of an enlarged cabin with reinforced armor, applied on the SU-D-15, aroused interest.

An alternative direction, on which hopes were pinned at that time, was the development of long-barreled 85-mm guns with a larger initial speed projectile - "high power" in the terminology of that time. But although a number of such guns, including self-propelled guns, were manufactured and tested, work in this direction ended in failure - new guns showed completely unsatisfactory survivability during firing, and cases of barrel rupture were frequent. In addition, the results of the shelling of captured German tanks revealed the low effectiveness of high-velocity, but light 85-mm shells against high-hardness armor set at rational angles, compared to heavy shells of larger calibers. Finally, studies showed that the armament of the 85-mm gun did not fully use all the capabilities of the self-propelled guns on the T-34 chassis.

Prototyping

Calculations carried out at the beginning of November 1943 by the Moscow Higher Technical School, Uralmashzavod and the Technical Directorate of the NKV showed that the most rational was the transition to 100-107 mm caliber. Since the production of 107-mm guns, such as the M-60 cannon, was discontinued back in 1941, it was decided to create a new tank and self-propelled gun based on the ballistics of the B-34 100-mm naval gun, about which the corresponding order of the NKV was issued on November 11 . The development of the ACS project with it was carried out in the design bureau of Uralmashzavod on the initiative of the chief designer L. I. Gorlitsky. N. V. Kurin was appointed the chief engineer of the project. Preliminary design The self-propelled guns were transferred to the NKTP and the USA on December 5, 1943. As a result of its consideration, on December 27, the State Defense Committee adopted Decree No. 4851 on arming a heavy IS tank and medium self-propelled guns with a 100-mm gun, obliging the TsAKB to develop a project for an appropriate gun for installation in the SU-85. NKTP, by order No. 765 of December 28, ordered Uralmashzavod:

By January 15, 1944 - finish design work for self-propelled guns based on the T-34, armed with a 100-mm cannon designed by TsAKB;

By February 20, to make a prototype of the self-propelled guns and carry out factory tests with a gun, which was supposed to be delivered by plant No. 92 by January 25;

However, after studying the drawings sent by TsAKB of the S-34 gun developed by them, which was originally intended to arm the IS-2 heavy tank, Uralmashzavod came to the conclusion that, due to the too large dimensions of the gun in width, placing it in the SU-85 hull would require too serious alterations in the design of the ACS, which included an increase in the width of the hull, a change in its shape and the transition to a torsion bar suspension. TsAKB insisted on such an option, not agreeing to make changes to the design of its gun, but according to the calculations of Uralmashzavod, the alteration of the self-propelled guns would lead to an increase in its mass by 3.5-3.8 tons compared to the SU-85 and the postponement of the readiness time by at least least for three months, which categorically did not suit the customer. As a result, as before in a similar situation that arose during the design of the SU-85, Uralmashzavod contacted plant No. 9, as a result joint work with the designers of which the 100-mm D-10S gun was created, suitable for installation in the SU-85 hull without significant changes to the latter and at the same time having a lower mass than the S-34. In this regard, in January 1944, the Directorate of Self-Propelled Artillery put forward refined requirements for the project of the self-propelled guns, which by that time had received the designation SU-100, which provided for armament with the D-10S gun, an increase in the thickness of the frontal armor to 75 mm, and the use of new viewing devices Mk.IV (MK-IV) and the commander's turret, while maintaining the weight of the self-propelled guns within 31 tons.

However, the B-34 cannon, whose ammunition was supposed to be used, had only high-explosive fragmentation and remote fragmentation shells, and, as it turned out by that time, the completion of the development of an armor-piercing projectile for it was expected no earlier than the second half of 1944. The inevitable delay in the readiness of the self-propelled guns allowed the head of the TsAKB, V. Grabin, to insist on the creation of a self-propelled unit with a S-34 cannon. As a result of the ensuing negotiations, the NKTP on April 30 issued an order to manufacture a prototype with this weapon, designated SU-100-2, by May 8, and conduct its comparative tests together with the SU-100. At the same time, the NKV and GAU still considered the introduction of profound changes in the SU-85 hull unacceptable and allowed the plant to make minimal alterations to the gun so that it could be installed in the existing SPG hull, even if with a number of defects. At the same time, making all the changes to the S-34 design necessary for its effective installation in the SU-85 would make it almost identical to the D-10S specially designed for this purpose.

In the meantime, the prototype with the D-10S gun, designated "Object 138", was manufactured by Uralmashzavod together with plant number 50 in February 1944 and successfully passed factory tests, which consisted of 30 shots and 150 km of run. After that, on March 3, the prototype was sent for state tests at the ANIOP, during which the car traveled 864 km and fired 1040 shots. As a result, the state commission recognized it as fit for adoption after some modifications were made to the design, and on April 14, Uralmashzavod was ordered to begin immediate preparations for mass production of the new self-propelled guns.

The SU-100-2 prototype was manufactured by Plant No. 9 in April-May 1944 using a gun taken from an experimental IS-5 tank. In parallel with this, the second prototype of the SU-100 was completed, built with the improvements recommended by the commission. On June 24-28, he passed state tests at ANIOP. According to the test results, during which the self-propelled guns traveled 250 km and fired 923 shots, the state commission recommended it for adoption, noting that the SU-100 ensures the defeat of the Panther and Tiger tanks from a distance of 1500 m, regardless of the point of impact , but only penetrates the side armor of the Ferdinand self-propelled guns, although from a distance of up to 2000 m. 100 and is not recommended for adoption. The SU-100 was adopted by the Red Army by GKO order No. 6131 of July 3, 1944.

Mass production

While preparations for the production of the SU-100 were underway at Uralmashzavod, at the suggestion of L.I. 85. In addition to the model of the gun, the SU-85M differed from the SU-100 only in the similar SU-85 swivel mechanism, marching mount and gun mantlet, sight and ammunition rack for 60 85-mm rounds. The SU-85M made it possible to introduce earlier improvements to the SU-100 - more powerful frontal armor and better surveillance devices - in mass production, but the main reason for the appearance of this previously unplanned self-propelled guns was the failure of the 100-mm gun at that time, the production of B-412B armor-piercing shells to which was mastered only in November 1944. The first SU-85M was manufactured in July 1944, and in August it completely replaced the SU-85 on the assembly lines of Uralmashzavod. The release of the SU-85M continued until November of the same year, for three months - in parallel with the SU-100, which were not combat-ready at that time due to the lack of armor-piercing shells; a total of 315 self-propelled guns of this type were produced.

Serial production of the SU-100 itself began at Uralmashzavod in September 1944. The first vehicles produced were identical to the second prototype, and later, during mass production, mainly technological change. So, the beam connecting the frontal armor plates was eliminated, and the connection of the front fender liner with the frontal sheet was transferred to the "quarter" method, and with the aft sheet of the armored cabin - from "thorn" to "butt". In addition, the connection between the cabin and the hull was strengthened, and a number of responsible welds was transferred to welding with austenitic electrodes.

Data on the volume and timing of the release of the SU-100 are somewhat different. So, it is reliably known that the production of the SU-100 at Uralmashzavod was carried out at least until March 1946, at a rate of about 200 vehicles per month per month. war time. In total, 3037 cars were produced during this period. Omsk Plant No. 174 produced 198 SU-100s in 1947, and 6 more at the beginning of 1948, producing a total of 204 vehicles. Western sources, based on US intelligence reports, provide data on the production of the SU-100 in the USSR from 1948 to 1956 at a rate of about 1000 self-propelled guns per year, but this is not confirmed by Soviet data, and, as Baryatinsky notes, could be the result of the adoption by intelligence the modernization of the SU-100 carried out at that time for the production of new machines. Post-war production of the SU-100 was also resumed in Czechoslovakia, where in 1951-1956 another 1,420 self-propelled guns of this type were produced under license.

Further development

Despite the negative results of the preliminary study of the possibility of creating a medium self-propelled gun with a 122-mm gun, work in this direction was continued. One of the reasons for this was the delay in the development of an armor-piercing projectile for the D-10S, the production of which was not expected until the autumn of 1944, while all the necessary ammunition for the 122-mm D-25 gun had been produced since the 1930s. In May 1944, the Uralmashzavod developed the SU-122P self-propelled guns, a prototype of which was manufactured by September of the same year. It differed from the serial SU-100 only in the installation of a 122-mm D-25S gun with 26 rounds for it. According to the test results of the prototype, the SU-122P was deemed fit for adoption, but was never put into serial production. The reasons for this were not indicated, but as M. Baryatinsky points out, this could be due to the fact that the few advantages of the SU-122P as a tank destroyer were outweighed by its shortcomings: although the 122-mm gun had a slightly higher actual armor penetration compared to the 100-mm German armored vehicles, and also featured a more powerful high-explosive fragmentation projectile, self-propelled guns with it featured less ammunition and a significantly reduced rate of fire, and the increased barrel reach created even greater problems compared to the SU-100; in addition, there were fears that the recoil of the 122 mm gun might be too strong for the T-34-85 chassis. On this, due to the practical exhaustion of the capabilities of the self-propelled guns based on the T-34 with a front-mounted fighting compartment, the development of this line, coming from the SU-122, ceased. In further work on medium self-propelled guns, already re-designed base chassis were used, and the attention of the designers turned to the layout with the aft location of the fighting compartment.

SU-100, the last self-propelled gun produced at the UZTM plant

Self-propelled guns SU-100 went to the front in November 1944 from the UZTM plant and their production continued after the war. The SU-100 model, which Zvezda offers, is most suitable for assembling a machine of the post-war period. I will try the assembly of the SU-100 model from Zvezda, which is closest to the production period of the end of December 1944 - January 1945.

SU-100 model from Zvezda in 1:35 scale. Major improvements.

Imitation of the joint of a beam and a frontal armor plate

As a result of an increase in the thickness of the upper frontal armor of the vehicle to 75 mm, a step was formed when the VLD was connected to a cast beam. This situation on the SU-100 continued until the end of the war.

SU-100. Early type of VLD and NLD welding with front cast beam

Zvezda offers a post-war version of the junction of the front beam and the upper armor plate of the SU-100. This point will definitely need to be improved.

Model SU-100 from Zvezda. Change the shape of the joint of the cast beam and the upper VLD on the model

The shape of the front mudguards SU-100

"Zvezda" gives a late form of mudguards, which began to be installed on the car in the post-war period. The shape of the shields of the war period on the SU-100 was semicircular and coincided with the shields installed on the T-34 tanks

Shields are definitely replaceable. I will make from tin. It will also be necessary to make "hatches" on the side walls, which were needed to install the caterpillar tensioning mechanism.

Model SU-100 from Zvezda. Post-war front mudguard.

Loading hatch vertical sash

The vertical flap of the loader's hatch on the SU-100's hull remained until March 1945. The sash was removed during the modernization of the hull parts in order to reduce the formation of cracks in the armor during the manufacture of parts.

The vertical flap of the loading hatch on the SU-100

The combined model SU-100 from Zvezda does not have it, I will do it. In general, nothing complicated. Well, the loops will have to tinker a bit. Plus, do not forget to imitate the goujons on the hatch leaf.

Model SU-100 "Star". Place for a vertical hatch.

Refinement of the panorama hatch and the upper flap of the loading hatch on the SU-100 model

The upper wing of the loader's hatch - the hinges have 6 hinges, on the right hinge there is a hatch latch in the open state.

On the SU-100 model from Zvezda, it is necessary to remake the shape of the hinges and imitate the hatch latch.

Model SU-100 from Zvezda. Loader hatch

At the panorama hatch doors, it is necessary to make clamps that are welded to the hinges, as well as an imitation of wire torsion bars.

Model SU-100. Details of the panorama hatch on the model

Driver's hatch, marked with the letter "P."

The self-propelled hatch cover became thicker compared to the SU-85, as the thickness of the frontal armor increased, and in order to avoid confusion during assembly, the SU-100 driver’s hatch cover was marked with the letter “R.”, which, according to Apparently, it meant "equal strength." The letter has disappeared from the hatch since March 1945.

Unfortunately, there is no letter on the resin from ZIP Kit, as well as on the details of the hatch for the SU-100 model from Zvezda, and you will have to make it yourself from a sprue. Most likely you will have to tinker with gluing it to the resin part.

The connection of the side and rear armor plates of the conning tower SU-100

Until 1945, the connection of these parts was done "in a tenon", which, when welded, led to the frequent occurrence of cracks in the hardened armor sheets. From January 1945, this connection began to be made "butt".

An early type of joint between the side and rear walls of the cabin in the "thorn-groove" SU-100 Belgorod

Late type of junction of the side and rear walls of the cabin "butt" SU-100 Belgorod

Simulating a butt joint on the SU-100 model from Zvezda will be quite simple. To do this, plastic will need to increase the protrusions of the side walls of the cabin and simulate welds.

Imitation of the joint of the side and rear armor plates of the cabin of the SU-100 Zvezda model

Triangular scarves between the conning tower and the engine compartment of the SU-100.

The headscarves remained in the design of the machine until May 1945. They were removed in order to simplify the design and reduce the likelihood of cracks during welding of hull parts.

Zvezda does not have them, I will make them from plastic with imitation of welds.

Model SU-100. Triangular scarves behind the wheelhouse

Replacing bolts on the aft armor plate

On the aft armor plate I will replace the bolts, they are “blurred” in some kind of set. I will use hardware from MasterClub, (article: MC435036, bolt head, diameter: 0.9mm)

Handrails on the sponson of the commander's cupola, starboard side of the wheelhouse and near the armored caps of the fans

The handrail on the sponson of the commander's cupola appeared from January 45, while the straight handrail on the starboard side became a little shorter. Another handrail was located next to the armored caps of the fans, closer to the starboard side of the vehicle. All handrails will, as usual, be made from a suitable wire. I found it online and will use it.

Handrail next to the armored caps of the SU-100 fans

Access hatch to the right track adjustment unit on the SU-100 self-propelled gun

On the lower front sheet of the self-propelled guns there was an access hatch to the tension control unit of the right caterpillar of the machine. It doesn't show up in plastic. Its presence will give additional detailing of the model, most likely I will imitate it.

Wafer tracks manufactured by UZTM

Cast wafer tracks manufactured by UZTM were used. The horror that comes in the kit will be replaced by simply excellent price / quality ratio of stacked tracks from MSD.

Roller type

Solid rubber tires of the rollers, instead of the previous perforated ones, were used from April 1944.

In the set with bandages everything is in order, but the presence of a nut on the roller axle does not correspond to reality.

Rollers in a set of SU-100 from Zvezda

It is not possible to fix this with small forces. Option to purchase a set of rollers from the ZIP kit, article: 35024, or to score on it and leave everything as it is.

Length of tow ropes SU-100

Unlike the T-34, the SU-100 used elongated up to 5 meters towing ropes(since March 1945 - 6.5 meters). In the set they are given in plastic with a scale length of 3.5m. I will use a cable bought on the occasion from Microdesign. In "M-hobby" given detailed description laying cables on the car.

Fuel tank mounts on SU-100

Since January 45, a late unified type of fuel tank attachment has been used steel bands to the platforms in the upper and lower parts of the lodgements. It will be necessary to understand the design in more detail. I have not yet decided whether the model will have tanks (travel version) or not (combat version). Tanks on the SU-100 were used only as fuel canisters and had no connection to the vehicle's fuel system.

Drawings for the construction of the SU-100 model

Before starting work, he prepared the layout drawings of the SU-100 of the 1944-45 release on a scale of 1:35.

The drawings are ready for printing on A4 sheets. Taken from M-Hobby magazine and more conveniently arranged for printing on separate sheets, which is convenient when building a model.

Other improvements

In the construction I will use a metal barrel, headlights from Elf, resin parts from the ZIP Kit, MTO grilles from Microdesign photo-etching. You can see more about add-ons. Imitation of welds will be made, where necessary, and in the course of construction there will definitely be something that can be finalized.

In this article, I tried to describe all the essential points that need to be done in order to get the car as close as possible to the production time of January 1945.