Cannon Walk - Part Three

This was a reliable, highly mobile, armored field artillery piece. It was armed with the 105-mm M2A2 Howitzer and a .50 machine gun M29 (ring-mounted in the “pulpit”). Provision was also made for carrying one .45 submachine gun and six .30 carbines. The advantages of this piece included the greater mobility, lighter weight, greater protection and less expense. Greater width enabled and howitzer to develop superior capability (traverse, rate of fire). This also provided increased working space and ammunition storage.

The chassis adopted was that of the M24 Light Tank. Indirect vision for the driver was provided by a periscope. It entered service in 1945, replacing the M7.

Caliber:                         105-mm              4.1 in

Weight:                          20,870 kg           46,00 lbs

Shell Weight:               14.9 kg                 33 lbs

Range:                          11,165 m            12,170 yds

Vehicle Range:            220 km                100 mi

Speed:                           66 km/h              30 mph

Elevation:                      780 mils             43 degrees

Traverse:                      800 mils              45 degrees

Detachment:                                              7

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USA

This artillery piece was envisioned to combine mobility with a high powered, long range gun. In 1950, the Army Equipment Development Committee recommended a gun of about 170-mm be developed, to replace the 155-mm M-2 “Long Tom”.

In response, the 175-mm gun T181 was designated the appropriate weapon and a self-propelled chassis was prepared. Benefiting from experience with the models T97-T108, the T162 differed in some respects. It possessed a longer tube, wider hull and tracks (28 inch), and a steering bar (in place of wobble stick or steering wheel). Despite some advanced features, air mobility became a critical requirement. The T-162 was determined to be too large and heavy. Consequently, the project was discarded. This was the last of the three produced. 

Caliber:                        175-mm                          6.9 in

Weight:                         44,545 kg                       98,000 lbs

Shell Weight:               66.8 kg                            147 lbs

Range:                          32,800 m                       35,850 yds

Elevation:                      -40 to 1,160 mils          -2 degrees + 65 degrees

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Standardized in 1953, this weapon superseded the M41 Howitzer Motor Carriage. It was the last American model to mount the tube with a limited traverse in an open-topped armored casemate at the rear of the vehicle. The M114 howitzer had a comparatively low rate of fire which reflected the problem of handling large caliber ammunition in confined spaces.

The chassis was adapted from the M41 Light Tank. Stability was offered by a hydraulically operated, recoil spade. The rear of the casemate opened to extend the platform floor. Replaced by the M109 during the 1960’s, it saw service in the armies for several NATO nations.

Caliber:                        155-mm                          6.1 in

Weight:                         28,500 kg                       62, 810 lbs

Shell Weight:               43.2 kg                            95 lbs

Range:                          14,600 m                       15,967 yds (9miles)

Elevation:                      -89 to 1,066 mils          -5 degrees + 60 degrees

Traverse:                      1,066 mils                      60 degrees
Rate of Fire:                 1 round per minute
Detachment:                                                         8

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This experimental piece was developed in the period 1955-1963 as a direct support, self-propelled field artillery weapon that would combine the best features of the light howitzer as a heavy mortar and be transportable in airborne operations. This light howitzer version was not selected for adoption.

Caliber:                        105-mm                                   4.1 in

Weight:                         3,909 kg                                   8,600 lbs

Shell Weight:               14.1 kg                                     33 lbs

Range:                          11,095 m                                 12,904 yds (6.93 miles)

Elevation:                      -90 to 1,335 mils                   -5 degrees to 75 degrees

Traverse:                      800 mils                                   45 degrees

Detachment:                                                                   4

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The XM 102 is a lightweight weapon produced in 1961-62. This particular howitzer was No. four of ten made for testing purposes and let to the adoption of M102 Howitzer.

It replaced the heavier (5,000 lb) World War II era M2A1, which was redesignated the M101 A1.

Among other features, it is capable of 360 degrees traverse, as well as being air transportable. The usual spade at the end of the trail has been replaced with a longitudinal roller which allows rapid, one man traverse through 360 degrees.

Range:                          11,500 m                                        12,600 yds

Traverse:                      6,400 mils                                       360 degrees

Elevation:                      -90 to 1,335 mils                           -5 degrees to 75 degrees

Rate of Fire:                 3 rounds per minute

                                       10 round per min rapid burst
Detachment:                                                                          7

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Designed for airborne operations, the M56 was troop tested with the 82^nd and 101^st Airborne Divisions in 1953 and was officially adopted in 1957. Conceived as a rapidly deployable anti-tank weapon, it saw service as field artillery in “Operation Toledo” July 1967, during Vietnam Conflict.

Its 90-mm gun has vertical sliding breechblock which fired the same ammunition as the M48 Tank. The chassis features high aluminum content with both riveted and welded construction. The only armor on the vehicle is the gun shield. It was replaced in the U.S. Army by the M551 “Sheridan”, though it continued in service for some years in the Spanish and Moroccan Armies.

Caliber:                        90-mm                                        3.5 in (M54)

Weight:                         7,035 kg                                     15,477 lbs

Shell Weight:               8.2 kg H.E./10.9 kg A.P.          18 lbs H.E./24 lbs A.P.

Range:                          3,500 m                                     3,850 yds

Elevation:                      380 mils                                    15 degrees

Traverse:                      1,080 mils                                 60 degrees

Speed:                          45 km/h                                      28 mph