M289 5-Ton Truck Mounted Rocket Launcher
The M39 5-Ton Truck is a standard within the Army. First ordered in 1951 to meet the demand of the Korean War, the standard of the M-39 was clearly defined by 1953. Many models of the M-39 were developed including:
- M39 Truck, Chassis
- M40 Truck, Chassis
- M41 Truck, Cargo
- M51 Truck, Dump
- M52 Truck, Tractor
- M54 Truck, Cargo
- M55 Truck, Cargo, Extra Long Wheel Base (XLWB)
- M61 Truck, Chassis
- M62 Truck, Wrecker, Medium
- M63 Truck, Chassis
- M64 Truck, Cargo Van
- M139 Truck, Chassis
- M139 Truck, Bridging
- M246 Truck, Tractor, Wrecker
- M289 Truck, Missile Launcher
- M291 Truck, Van, Expansible
- M328 Truck, Bridging
- M386 Truck, Missile Launcher
- M543 Truck, Wrecker, Medium
- M748 Truck, Bolster (or Logging)
In 1969, introduction of the M-809 series 5-ton truck, gradually replaced the M39 series.
MGR-1 "Honest John"
Initial testing began in 1951, and deplayment in September 1953 of the MGR-1 Honest John Rocket. This was the first nuclear-capable surface-to-surface rocket in the United States Army's arsenal. The rocket was transported in three parts and assembled on site. The missle would be mounted on the launcher and ready to fire in about five minutes.
Asside from nuclear payloads, as was the intent for the rocket, there were several other munitions available for the rocket. High-explosive warheads were available in the initial deployment of the weapon. In the 1960's, chemical weapons were introduced as a payload, as Sarin nerve gas cluster bomblets were developed into a warhead.
Deployment of the missile lasted in Europe until 1985. By that time, many countries used the missile including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
The United States replaced the "Honest John" with the MGM-52 Lance Missile in 1973. It remained with NATO units in Europe until 1985, and United States National Guard units in country until 1982.
Marker on site states:
Rocket
Launcher
762mm - M289
"Honest John"
mounted on
5 Ton - 6 x 6 - Truck
Made by - International
Harvester
In Service
1959 - 1960's
45th Infantry Museum
Location:
2145 N.E. 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Museum Hours
Tuesday-Friday 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Admission is FREE.
The museum is quite extensive with both indoor and outdoor features. The park is excellent, covering 15 acres of outdoor static displays of tanks, artillery, aircraft and vehicles. The indoor museum covers 27,000 square feet of space with displays from the American Civil War to modern conflicts.
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