4.5-inch gun M1

Last updated
4.5 inch gun M1 on carriage M1
4.5GunM1FortSillLeftRear.jpg
4.5 inch gun M1 at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma
Type Field gun
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1942–1945
Used byUnited States
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1939–1941
ProducedSeptember 1942–February 1944
No. built426
Specifications
Mass5,654 kg (12,465 lbs)
Length8.15 m (27 ft)
Barrel  lengthBore: 4.756 m (15 ft 7 in) L/41.6
Overall: 4.918 m (16 ft 2 in) L/43
Width2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
Height2.12 m (6 ft 11 in)

Shell separate-loading bagged charge
Caliber 114 mm / 4.5 inch
Breech interrupted screw
Recoil hydro-pneumatic
Carriage split trail
Elevation 0° to +65°
Traverse 53°
Rate of fire Burst: 4 rounds per minute
Sustained: 1 round per minute
Muzzle velocity 693 m/s (2,274 ft/s)
Maximum firing range19,317 m (21,125 yds)
Sightspanoramic, M12

The 4.5 inch gun M1 was a field gun developed in the United States in the beginning of World War II. It shared the same carriage with the 155mm howitzer M1 and fired the same ammunition as the British BL 4.5-inch medium field gun. Beginning in 1944, the weapon was used by the U.S. Army as corps-level artillery; with the end of hostilities, it was declared obsolete.

Contents

Development and production

In 1920 the US Army Ordnance Department started to work on a new medium field gun. Since the US Army had already employed the 4.7-inch gun M1906 prior to World War I, and during the war in limited numbers, this caliber was also selected for the new weapon. The development resulted in the 4.7-inch gun M1922E on carriage M1921E. Because of lack of funding, the design never reached production. [1] [2]

In 1939 the program was restarted; the renewed design, designated the 4.7-inch gun T3, was ready by early 1940.[ citation needed ] It utilized the same carriage as the concurrently developed 155 mm howitzer. At this stage, the Army decided to change the caliber of the weapon to use British 4.5-inch ammunition. The modified gun was standardized in April 1941 as the 4.5-inch gun M1 on carriage M1. [1] [2]

Production started in September 1942 and continued until February 1944. [2]

Production of M1 [3] [4]
Year194219431944Total
Produced, pcs.4134540426

Variants

External image
Searchtool.svg 4.5 inch GMC T16.

The weapon was experimentally mounted on a lengthened chassis of the M5 light tank, in mount M1. The resulting vehicle received the designation 4.5 in gun motor carriage T16. A single prototype was built. [6]

Description

The M1 was very similar in construction and appearance to the 155mm howitzer M1. The only significant difference was its tube of 4.5 inch (114 mm) caliber. The tube had uniform right hand twist, with one turn in 32 calibers. [7] The unbalanced weight of the barrel was supported by two equilibrator springs. The breach was of interrupted screw type; the recoil system hydro-pneumatic, variable length. The carriage was of split trail type, unsprung and had wheels with pneumatic tires. In firing position, the weapon was supported by a retractable pedestal. The gun was equipped with M12 panoramic sight. [8]

Service

155 mm howitzer M1 (left) and 4.5-inch gun M1 (right) at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum, Ft. Sill, OK. Note the similarity between the two pieces. US4.5inchGunM1RightRear.jpg
155 mm howitzer M1 (left) and 4.5-inch gun M1 (right) at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum, Ft. Sill, OK. Note the similarity between the two pieces.

The M1 equipped 16 field artillery battalions in Northwest Europe; the 172nd, 176th, 199th, 211th, 259th, 770th through 775th, 777th, 935th, 939th, 941st, and 959th. [9]

It was employed for corps support. The M5 high-speed tractor was assigned as prime mover. The weapon was declared obsolete in September 1945. [1] [2] The gun had good range, longer than the World War I-era 155 mm gun M1918MI, and nearly five kilometers longer than its 155 mm howitzer sibling. It was out-ranged by the newer 155 mm gun M1, but this weapon was nearly three times heavier. On the other hand, the 4.5-inch gun was criticized for the insufficient power of its high-explosive shell. The shell was produced from low grade ("19 ton") steel, which necessitated thick walls. As a result, it carried only about two kilograms of TNT or substitute, less than the 105 mm high-explosive shell. Additionally, it was felt that having a small number of guns of an atypical caliber unnecessarily complicated logistics. [1] [2]

Ammunition

The M1 utilized separate loading, bagged charge ammunition. Only high explosive projectile was available. [10]

The projectile could be fired with propelling charge M7 (normal) at reduced velocity or with propelling charge M8 (super) to achieve full velocity. The dummy propelling charge M6 simulated the M8 charge. [11] The velocity and range data in the table below is for the M8 charge.

Available ammunition. [7] [10] [12]
TypeModelProjectile weight, kgFillerMuzzle velocity, m/sRange, m
HE HE M65 Shell24.9 TNT, 2.04 kg or
Amatol 50/50, 1.85 kg or
Trimonite, 2.10 kg
69319,317
DummyDummy M8 Projectile--
 
Propelling charges [11]
ModelWeight, complete, kgComponents
M7 (normal)2.95Single section
M8 (super)5.08Base charge and increment
M6 (dummy)5.40Base charge and increment
 
Concrete penetration, mm [7]
Ammunition \ Distance, m09144,5729,144
HE M65 Shell (meet angle 0°)1,1581,067640366
Different methods of measurement were used in different countries / periods. Therefore, direct comparison is often impossible.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hogg – Allied Artillery of World War II, p 50-51.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Zaloga – US Field Artillery of World War II, p 18-19.
  3. Zaloga – US Field Artillery of World War II, p 9.
  4. Official Munitions Production of the United States, by Months, July 1, 1940 – August 31, 1945 (War Production Board and Civilian Production Administration, 1 May 1947) p. 137
  5. "The Field Artillery Journal (volume XII) 1922" (PDF). tradocfcoeccafcoepfwprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net. Retrieved 2 April 2023.[ page needed ]
  6. Hunnicutt – Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, p 337-338.
  7. 1 2 3 Hunnicutt – Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, p 506.
  8. Technical Manual TM 9-2005 volume 3, Infantry and Cavalry Accompanying Weapons, p 59-62.
  9. Stanton, Shelby L. (1991). World War II Order of Battle. Galahad Books. pp. 393–424. ISBN   0-88365-775-9.
  10. 1 2 Technical Manual TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide, p 486-490.
  11. 1 2 Technical Manual TM 9-1901, Artillery Ammunition, p 300-304.
  12. Technical Manual TM 9-1901, Artillery Ammunition, p 183-184.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M18 Hellcat</span> American tank destroyer

The M18 Hellcat is a tank destroyer used by the United States Army in World War II and the Korean War. Despite being equipped with the same main gun as some variants of the much larger Sherman tank, the M18 attained a much higher top speed of up to 55 mph (89 km/h) by keeping armor to a minimum, and using the innovative Torqmatic automatic transmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">90 mm gun M1/M2/M3</span> Type of anti-aircraft gun and anti-tank gun (M1, M2) and tank gun (M3)

The 90 mm gun M1/M2/M3 was an American heavy anti-aircraft and anti-tank gun, playing a role similar to the German 8.8cm Flak 18. It had a 3.5 in (90 mm) diameter bore, and a 50 caliber barrel, giving it a length of 15 ft (4.6 m). It was capable of firing a 3.5 in × 23.6 in shell 62,474 ft (19,042 m) horizontally, or a maximum altitude of 43,500 ft (13,300 m).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M3 half-track</span> US military vehicle

The M3 half-track was an American armored personnel carrier half-track widely used by the Allies during World War II and in the Cold War. Derived from the M2 half-track car, the M3 was extensively produced, with about 15,000 standard M3s and more than 38,000 variant units manufactured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M114 155 mm howitzer</span> US-made towed howitzer

The M114 is a towed howitzer developed and used by the United States Army. It was first produced in 1942 as a medium artillery piece under the designation of 155 mm Howitzer M1. It saw service with the US Army during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, before being replaced by the M198 howitzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M115 howitzer</span> Howitzer

The M115 203 mm howitzer, also known as the M115 8-inch Howitzer, and originally the M1 8-inch Howitzer was a towed heavy howitzer developed by the United States Army and used during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Post-WWII it was also adopted by a number of other nations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M101 howitzer</span> US-made towed howitzer

The M101A1 howitzer is an artillery piece developed and used by the United States. It was the standard U.S. light field howitzer in World War II and saw action in both the European and Pacific theaters and during the Korean War. Entering production in 1941, it quickly gained a reputation for accuracy and a powerful punch. The M101A1 fires 105 mm high explosive (HE) semi-fixed ammunition and has a range of 12,330 yards (11,270 m), making it suitable for supporting infantry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">37 mm gun M3</span> American anti-tank gun

The 37 mm gun M3 is the first dedicated anti-tank gun fielded by United States forces in numbers. Introduced in 1940, it became the standard anti-tank gun of the U.S. infantry with its size enabling it to be pulled by a jeep. However, the continuing improvement of German tanks quickly rendered the 37 mm ineffective and, by 1943, it was being gradually replaced in the European and Mediterranean theaters by the more powerful British-developed 57 mm gun M1. In the Pacific, where the Japanese tank threat was less significant, the M3 remained in service until the end of the war, but some 57mm guns were issued.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-inch gun M1918</span> Anti-Aircraft Gun

The 3-inch gun M1918 was a United States 3-inch anti-aircraft gun that entered service in 1918 and served until it was largely superseded by the 3-inch anti-aircraft gun M3 in 1930, though the M1918 remained with some National Guard units until early in World War II. The M3 was subsequently replaced by the M1 90mm AA gun early in World War II, primarily during 1942. The M3 3" gun was later adapted for the anti-tank role, serving as the main armament of the M10 tank destroyer during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">76 mm gun M1</span> American tank gun

The 76 mm gun M1 was an American World War II–era tank gun developed by the U.S United States Ordnance Department in 1942 to supplement the 75 mm gun on the basic Medium tank M4. It was also used to arm the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M3 howitzer</span> Light Howitzer

The 105 mm Howitzer M3 was a U.S. light howitzer designed for use by airborne troops. The gun utilized the barrel of the 105 mm Howitzer M2, shortened and fitted to a slightly modified split trail carriage of the 75 mm pack howitzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">155 mm gun M1</span> Towed field artillery

The 155 mm gun M1 was a 155 millimeter caliber field gun developed and used by the United States military. Nicknamed "Long Tom", it was produced in M1 and M2 variants, later known as the M59. Developed to replace the Canon de 155mm GPF, the gun was deployed as a heavy field weapon during World War II and the Korean War, and also classed as secondary armament for seacoast defense. The gun could fire a 100 lb (45 kg) shell to a maximum range of 14 mi (23 km), with an estimated accuracy life of 1,500 rounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-inch gun M5</span> WW2 US anti-tank gun

The 3-inch gun M5 was an anti-tank gun developed in the United States during World War II. The gun combined a 3-inch (76.2 mm) barrel of the anti-aircraft gun T9 and elements of the 105 mm howitzer M2. The M5 was issued exclusively to the US Army tank destroyer battalions starting in 1943. It saw combat in the Italian Campaign and on the Western Front in Northwest Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">240 mm howitzer M1</span> 1940s United States 240 mm field howitzer

The 240 mm howitzer M1, popularly nicknamed the "Black Dragon", was a towed howitzer used by the United States Army. The 240 mm M1 was designed to replace the World War I era 240 mm howitzer M1918, which was based on a 1911 French design and was outdated by World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8-inch gun M1</span> Heavy gun

The 8-inch gun M1 was a 203 mm towed heavy gun developed in the United States. At 32,584 m (35,635 yd), it had the longest range of any US Army field artillery weapon in World War II. It was also used in small numbers by the British Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M116 howitzer</span> American pack howitzer

The 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 was a pack howitzer artillery piece used by the United States. Designed to be moved across difficult terrain, gun and carriage could be broken down into several pieces to be carried by pack animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T48 gun motor carriage</span> Self-propelled anti-tank gun

The T48 57 mm gun motor carriage was a self-propelled anti-tank gun produced by the Diamond T company in 1943 for the United States. The design incorporated a 57 mm gun M1, a US production of the British Ordnance QF 6 pounder, mounted on an M3 half-track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T30 howitzer motor carriage</span> Self-propelled artillery

The T30 howitzer motor carriage (HMC) was a United States Army self-propelled gun used in World War II. Its design was based on requirements for an assault gun issued by the Armored Force in 1941 and it was built as an interim solution until a fully tracked design was complete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16-inch howitzer M1920</span> Coastal artillery

The 16-inch howitzer M1920 (406 mm) was a coastal artillery piece installed to defend major American seaports between 1922 and 1947. They were operated by the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps. They were installed on high-angle barbette mountings to allow plunging fire. Only four of these weapons were deployed, all at Fort Story, Virginia. All were scrapped within a few years after World War II.

References