M42 Duster - Alexander City, AL
N 32° 55.556 W 085° 58.609
16S E 595663 N 3643540
The Duster was developed out of experience in the Korean War, to replace the 40mm Gun Motor Carriage, M19.
Waymark Code: WMQAJB
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 01/23/2016
Views: 5
The M42 Duster is a full-track-laying, armored, anti-aircraft vehicle which can operate successfully in a wide range of environments. Major armament is a Bofors 40-mm dual automatic gun M2A1 mounted in the 40-mm twin gun mount M4E1. The Duster also mounted a 7.62 mm machine gun.
The Duster was developed out of experience in the Korean War, replacing the 40mm Gun Motor Carriage, M19. The Duster became a key infantry support weapon in the Vietnam War. It was designed for use with the maneuver forces against low-altitude air attack. In addition, because of the rapid rates of fire, the gun proved to be effective as a support weapon against ground targets.
The M42 Duster series is based on the M41 "Walker Bulldog" chassis by fitting the twin gun mount inside the hull turret ring. Three models were standardized, M42 produced from 1951-1953, the M42A1 standardized in 1956, and M42A2, all with the nomenclature "Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton, (Duster)."
The interior of the M42 Duster is divided into three areas: driving compartment at the front, stowage compartment in the center, and engine compartment in the rear. The driving compartment contains the driving controls and instruments. The seats for the driver and commander-radio operator are in the driving compartment. The stowage compartment serves as a base for the gun mount with space for 12 boxes of 40-mm ammunition. The engine compartment houses the main engine, auxiliary generator and engine, transmission, and fuel tanks. The gunner, squad leader, and cannoneer ride in the gun mount. The squad leader commands, via the intercommunications set AN/VIC-1, either from the commander's seat or the gun mount.
The 25 ton Duster is powered by a Lycoming AOSI-895-5 6 cyl. fuel injected 500 hp engine.
(
visit link)
Visit Instructions:
1.) Only log the places you physically visit.
2.) Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit
3.) Please provide any additional information about the equipment you may have that is not listed in the waymark's description.