![]() ![]() ![]() Production was halted in December 1960 with 3,700 examples made during its production run. In 1956, the M42 received a new engine and other upgrades along with other M41 based vehicles, becoming the M42A1. It entered service in late 1953 and replaced a variety of different anti-aircraft systems in armored divisions. Production of the M42 began in early 1952 at GM's Cleveland Tank Plant. Initially, the 40 mm guns were aimed with the assistance of a radar fire control system housed in a secondary vehicle of similar design but this idea was scrapped as development costs mounted. Since the 40 mm guns were still seen as an effective anti-aircraft weapon, a modified version of the gun mount used in the M19 was mounted in a redesigned turret to accommodate the larger turret ring of the M41 and designated as the M42. Army decided to phase out all vehicles based on the M24 Chaffee chassis, such as the M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage 40 mm Anti-Aircraft, in favor of designs that utilized the chassis of the M41. ![]() It was driven by a cross-drive, two-speed Allison transmission.Īlthough the M42 Duster was initially designed for an anti-aircraft role, it proved to be effective against unarmored ground forces in the Vietnam war.ĭuring the course of the Korean War, the U.S. The 500 hp, six-cylinder, Continental (or Lycoming Engines), air-cooled, gasoline engine is located in the rear of the vehicle. 30 caliber Browning M1919A4 or 7.62mm M60 machine gun. Armament consists of fully automatic twin 40 mm M2A1 Bofors, with a rate of fire of 2×120 rounds per minute (rpm) enabling nearly 85 seconds of fire time before running out of ammo, and either a. Maximum speed is 45 mph (72 km/h) with a range of 100 miles (160 km). The vehicle has a crew of six and weighs 22,500 kg (49,500 lb) fully loaded. It used components from the M41 light tank and was constructed of all-welded steel.Ī total of 3,700 M42s were built. Production of this vehicle was performed by the tank division of the General Motors Corporation. ![]() The M42 40 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun, or "Duster," is an American armored light air-defense gun built for the United States Army from 1952 until December 1960, in service until 1988. ![]()
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