Virtual Museum of the Vietnam War M42A1 Duster wersja polska Part 1 - Suspension and hull. It entered service in late 1953 and replaced a variety of different anti-aircraft systems in armored divisions. In 1956, the M42 received a new engine and other upgrades along with other M41 based vehicles, becoming the M42A1. MILITARY UNITS - 4th BN 60th Arty (Duster) Vietnam VetFriends Veteran ID Card Quick Links. When the In addition, the M42’s nearly 25-ton weight was fairly mobile, thanks to a 500-horsepower gasoline engine at the rear and good ground clearance. It is currently the third to last tank on the American SPAA line up, preceding the M163 Vulcan and M247 Sergeant York. Stout distinguished himself during an attack by a North Vietnamese Sapper company on his unit's firing position at Khe Gio Bridge. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. Best-known instances when the Dusters were used in Vietnam are their service on the vehicle in large boxes, one on each side. Caleb Larson is a Defense Writer with The National Interest. I Field Force Vietnam had the mission of exercising operational control over the U.S. and allied forces in the II Corps Tactical Zone as well as providing combat assistance to the Vietnamese units in the area. Using components from the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank, notably the chassis, a powerful open-top turret was mounted to the hull. slow moving targets and visibility allowing the use of optical sights. In recognition of the platform’s shortcomings, the Army retired the M42 in the late 1950s, and production ended shortly thereafter. In addition to the M42’s two large-caliber main guns, a .30 caliber machine gun was also mounted to the hull. designs was put into service. The nickname "Duster" Deeply loved for its firepower, the M42 “Duster” self-propelled anti-aircraft gun arose as a replacement for the M19 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun developed in World War II. The ammunition M42 was very successful in As surface-to-air missiles were fielded, the Duster stuck around as a supplement to systems like the MIM-23 HAWK. Best-known instances when the Dusters were used in Vietnam are their service with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong delta and also their role in operation Pegasus which successfully reopened the supply route to the encircled Marine outpost of Khe Sanh. turret was similar to that used in the M19, the most important modification to The M42 was a 1950s continuation of the U.S. Army’s World War II era concept for a highly mobile, rapid firing anti-aircraft artillery system designed to protect maneuver forces from low-level air attack. On July 5th, 1968 after the base was closed He holds a Master of Public Policy and covers U.S. and Russian security, European defense issues, and German politics and culture. These vehicles replaced the M19s and 588. Here's What You Need to Remember: After Vietnam, the Duster was retired from American service, though some M42s were exported to American allies, including West Germany and … suppressors from the gun barrels and replaced the M1919A4 machine gun with the The Duster had a crew of six, as I recall, including me in the commander/radio operator compartment next to the driver. increased the range substantially. the work started on the prototype designated T141. In 1950 anti-aircraft gun, which utilized the chassis of the M24 Chaffee tank. We had 5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery , with the attached Battery D, 71st Artillery (M-55), and Battery G, 29Artillery (Searchlight) . support. In 1971 the Army begins to withdraw its air defense units from Vietnam. Snuffy Jackson HQ-2-13 E-2-13 L-4-11 & C-1-11 26 MAY 68 to 11 JUN 69 da0730@banet.net 24.29.44.130 The M42 was released in Update 1.47 "Big Guns". Surface-to-air missiles rather than exploding shells would be required to take out enemy planes. IN MAY 69 FOR HOME. Moreover, the dual 40mm Bofors guns were devastating. larger than in the M41 and had one large front hatch and two smaller hatches on In the M42A1 the guns were fitted with improved optics. In Austrian service, the M42 wasn’t retired until the early 1990s—not too bad for an anti-aircraft platform that was ultimately unsuccessful against airplanes. jungle, in the presence of dense vegetation. Cadillac/General Motors Company produced the M42. I served with the quads of D-71 they were part of 5/2/ADA a Duster unit all together the total unit was a battalion with two added batteries. Its rear portion was almost unchanged; a turret with ammo bins. Marine outpost of Khe Sanh. An M42 “Duster” tank swept the mountain with twin 40mm anti-aircraft autocannons, while soldiers in guard towers opened up with a .50-caliber machine gun and M60 machine guns. After the testing, production of the vehicle started in 1952 under the The self-propelled anti-aircraft gun M42 was developed as a variant of the In fact, Dusters proved quite exceptional in the role and went on to provide armed escort to convoys as well as guard American bases from air or ground assault from North Vietnamese elements. The vehicle utilized the The M42 performed best when its guns were not pointed skyward, but rather toward the ground. But, rather than sporting the M41’s 76mm main gun, the M42 opted for two powerful 40mm main guns. Here's What You Need to Remember: After Vietnam, the Duster was retired from American service, though some M42s were exported to American allies, including West Germany and elsewhere. Given the Duster’s age, they were not always favored for patrol, as the wear and tear on suspension, transmission, and engine components could result in breakdowns, though the M42’s relatively simple design allowed some maintenance and repair to be done in the field with limited support. In the end of the sixties the limitations of the ARRIVE IN MAR/68 SIGN TO D BTRY 1/44 ARTY (DUSTERS) REASIGNED A BTRY JULY 68 SGT. down and abandoned, it was the last American vehicle to leave the base. The vehicle had a 500 horsepower gasoline Continental . chassis of the M41 tank. After the base was cut off, this vehicle helped to Despite the M42’s open-topped turret, the hull’s all-steel armor protection gave it some protection from enemy fire from the ground. Everyone please have a fantastic Veteran's Day and enjoy yourselves and your families!! twin automatic 40 mm gun M2A1 (M4E1 mount in the turret), 7,62 mm M1919A4 machine gun in a flex mount and/or 7,62 mm M60 The 1. 4/60th Dusters firing mad-minute: 4/60th duster: Radio-relay station atop Mang Yang Pass (along QL19 in Central Highland) 4/60th duster section: Chinook lifting disabled huey off FB Schueller: E 41st Quad 50 guntruck : M110 8" Howitzer 7/15th FA: Pleiku: 1/10th Cav M48 tank - FB Schueller: Flares over 62nd Maintenance compound: 4/60th duster in position While armed with the same turret and cannons from its predecessor the M19, it has enhanced mobility by using the chass… The introduction of the M163 saw the Duster more often fielded with reserve units, where it hung on until 1988. Date: 1964 - 1980Creators: Department of Defense. It was intended to replace the M19 self-propelled Duster Compound « Sign of the TimesSign of the Times. conditions of the Vietnam War. operation Pegasus which successfully reopened the supply route to the encircled Kenny Welsh ... First day with unit: rocket attack. 1959 3700 of M42s and M42A1a were built. Despite not seeing use with American armed forces, the system is still in use with a number of countries around the world. U.S. Army Audiovisual Center. This selection includes hats for the Navy, Navy units, Navy aircraft and more. With no radar the use of the gun was limited to The M42 was originally fielded during the Korean War as a more-effective anti-aircraft replacement for older, Second World War-era vehicles. Because of this, Dusters and Quads provided critical final-protective fires throughout Vietnam during the Tet offensive and later took part in Operation Lam Son 719. Whenever fire … The story that I'm emphasizing here is of the Surrender of Camp Carroll. the top plate. At lower altitudes especially, some of the United States’ state-of-the-art missile technology was unreliable and provided an opening for the M42—and some were recalled into service to fill the gap in low-level air defense. The advent of the jet age doomed the M42 before it could prove useful. that it was decided to use it for ground support. modifications were designated M42A1. I appreciate all who view this site and especially the 1/44 Arty combat vets. The Army was forced to scrounge early 1950's vintage M-42 "Dusters" and Quad 50's from the National Guard to equip automatic weapon battalions heading to Vietnam. The increasingly high, Mach 1+ speeds of the new fighter jets meant that anti-aircraft guns would play a less important role in air defense. The Bell UH-1 Iroquois nicknamed "Huey" was used extensively in counter-guerilla operations both as a troop carrier and a gunship. Their U.S. Army crews called them “Dusters,” due to the large clouds of dust they created as they sped across the dirt roads of Vietnam. gasoline engine, General Motors CD-500-3, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse. perimeter defense, base security and convoy escort roles. M42 were evident and the M163 "Vulcan" begun to replace it. SMITH WAS IN CHARGE OF GUN # 1 LEFT A BTRY. M42s were upgraded with improved AOS-895-5 fuel injected engine, which twin "Bofors" anti-aircraft gun was installed in the center of the vehicle. The turret was also fitted with ready Because of The Vietnam War was the first conflict that saw wide scale tactical deployment of helicopters. 496. General Summary: This report covers U. S. Artillery operations in support of the defense of Phu Nhon during the period 152355 March 1971 to 212400 March 1971. The ranks of those who survived their combat tours have been diminished by longevity and health. The battalion was assigned to First Field Force Vietnam (IFFV) and was located at Đông Hà . In 1956 together with the M38 computing sight. The parameters of the "Bofors" gun made the Duster very effective in the 4TH BN 60TH ARTY (DUSTER) VIETNAM. By the middle of 1972 the Dusters have been withdrawn and returned to Army National Guard service. US Navy Vietnam Veteran Hats PriorService also offer a large selection of US Navy Vietnam Veteran Hats. M60 machine gun or even two of them to increase short-range firepower. The Duster were also proven to be a useful asset for providing fire support for convoys. But, all was not lost for the compact and powerful M42. under Swedish license, that proven their high value in the World War II and in anti-aircraft weapon largely decreased. The M42 system is retired from Army National Guard service in 1988. Soviet Union introduced the new generation of jets, the value of the M42 as Duster Duty, 1967: A Rhode Islander in Vietnam is a chronicle of Fitzpatrick's thoughts as he finds himself on the other side of the world manning light armored air-defense and ground support guns known as M42 Dusters. Like was the case with other kinds Korea, although in the latter conflict they were mainly used for ground came from the clouds of dust the vehicle raised while traveling in a convoy. The gun’s 40mm shells—or over 1.5 inches—were more than large enough to penetrate the thick jungle foliage endemic to Vietnam, though there were reports that the shell’s sensitive point impact fuses could be susceptible to early detonation.