The 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M7 was first suggested in June 1941, at the same time the Medium Tank, M3 entered production. It was intended as a mobile support vehicle for armored divisions.
The original 105 mm HMC, M7 was based on the Medium Tank, M3 chassis. When the Medium Tank, M4 became the standard US medium tank, the chassis of the Medium Tank, M4 was used in stead.
When the 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M37, based on the Light Tank, M24, became available, the 105 mm HMC, M7 was phased out.
The British used the 105 mm HMC, M7 under the name Priest, which replaced the interim British Bishop, armed with a 25 pdr, in North Africa. After the Normandy invasion, the British replaced the 105 mm HMC, M7 with the British-build Sexton. An armored personnel carrier version, the Priest Kangaroo, was also made.
| M7 | M7B1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | ||
| Crew | 7 | |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 22.7 t | |
| Length | 6.02 m | 6.19 m |
| Width | 2.88 m | |
| Height | 2.54 m | |
| Armour | ||
| Armour (range) | 12-62 mm | |
| Performance | ||
| Speed (max) | 42 km/h | |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | Continental R-975 | Ford GAA V8 |
| Net h.p. | 353 | - |
| Cylinders | - | 8 |
| Armament | ||
| Primary weapon | 105 mm Howitzer, M1A2 (1) | |
| Secondary weapon | .50 cal. Browning Machine Gun (1) | |
