The M51 self-propelled howitzer is in fact an adaptation of the Romanian Obuzier autopropulsat Oa48 to meet Yugoslav requirements, principally exchange the Romanian vehicle’s 105mm Skoda m40/43 howitzer for the Yugoslav-made M40 gun-howitzer.
Specifications
Crew: 5
Combat weight: 16,000 kg
Length: 5.45 meters
Width: 2.81 meters
Height: 2.6 meters
Ground clearance: 0.47 meters
Armor – Hull front: 30 mm
Armor – Hull side: 20 mm
Armor – Hull rear: 20 mm
Armor – Hull top: none
Engine: V-12 air-cooled diesel of 14.5 liters displacement, rated at 220 bhp at 2,500 rpm
Transmission: Praga-Wilson TN-100 epicyclic pre-selector transmission with five forward and one reverse gear. Praga Wilson epicyclic clutch and brake steering.
Suspension: Four rubber-tyred wheels per side, each mounted on a cranked stub axle and each pair of wheels being controlled by a semi-epicyclic spring freely pivoted.
Road speed: 54 kph
Cross country speed: 25 kph
Road radius: 220 kilometers
Gradient: 35 degrees
Trench Crossing: 1.5 meters
Vertical Obstacle: 0.64 meters
Fording Depth: 1.1 meters
Armament: One 87mm M40 field gun-howitzer with elevation:-5° to 45°, traverse: 4° left & right