Difference between revisions of "M42"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage_M42.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''M42 Duster''' is a Rank V American self-propelled anti-aicraft gun with a battle rating of 6.7. The M42 was released in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. It is currently the third to last tank on the American SPAA line up, preceding the [[M163 Vulcan]] and [[M247|M247 Sergeant York]]. While armed with the same turret and cannons from its predecessor the [[M19]], it has enhanced mobility by using the chassis of the [[M41A1 Walker Bulldog]] light tank.
 +
 
 +
The M42 "Duster" is a '''s'''elf '''p'''ropelled '''a'''nti-'''a'''ir vehicle. Not much more to say. Stay behind and close to allies, but outside the enemies view-range and with clear line of sight to the horizon for low aircraft.
 +
 
 +
Compared to certain other SPAAs ([[ZSU-37]], [[Wirbelwind]], [[Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M13]], etc.) the M42 cannot be used effectively in an anti-vehicle role. The average [[BR|battle-rating]] is too high and the penetration value of the AP shells too low. The armour is not strong enough against the devastating tank HE shells. However the armour performs okay versus machine gun fire from aircraft, but auto-cannon fire is a problem. Thankfully the fuses of most tank APHE shells are not very sensitive, rendering the HE content useless and the entire shell into a mere AP solid shot. But, the machine is tiny and damage still very likely.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 12.7 mm (33°) ''Front glacis'' <br /> 25.7 mm (39°) ''Bottom glacis'' || 12.7 mm || 12.7 mm ''Top'' <br /> 19 mm ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 12.7 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 22.6 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 79 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|72 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|710
 +
|___
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|442
 +
|500
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|31.41
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|19.56
 +
|22.12
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
−
=== Main armament ===
+
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{main|Bofors (40 mm)}}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[Bofors (40 mm)|40 mm Bofors]] (x2)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity each)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 480 (8) || 120 || -3°/+85° || ±180°
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 23.8 || 32.9 || 40.0 || 44.2 || 47.0
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 23.8 || 28.0 || 34.0 || 37.6 || 40.0
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 0.65 || 0.58 || 0.53 || 0.50
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Machine guns ===
+
=== Ammunition ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| Mk.II || HEFI-T* || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3
 +
|-
 +
| M81A1 || AP-T || 76 || 74 || 62 || 45 || 33 || 24
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Mk.II || HEFI-T* || 874 || 0.86 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 63 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
| M81A1 || AP-T || 874 || 0.88 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===Belt types===
 +
{|class="wikitable"
 +
| '''Belts''' || '''Shell composition''' || '''Combat usage'''
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|''Default'' ||align="left"| '''AP-T''' / '''HEFI-T*''' ||align="left"| These work fine, a hit on an aircraft means certain death for it and still is able to hurt ground vehicles, especially if it is side into the side of a enemy tank. These seem like a good I don't know what i will run into belt.
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|''Mk.II'' ||align="left"| '''HEFI-T*''' ||align="left"| These mean certain death for aircraft, what should be used for AA work.
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|''M81A1'' ||align="left"| '''AP-T''' ||align="left"| These are the worst belts against airplanes. however, they are able to hurt ground vehicles especially if it is side into the side of a enemy tank. If you plan on killing tanks load this and flank, since side shots are almost a necessity.
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] ===
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_M42.png|right|thumbnail|300px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the M42 Duster.]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''60''' || 50&nbsp;''(+10)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+22)'' || 14&nbsp;''(+46)'' || 2&nbsp;''(+58)'' || style="text-align:center" | Keep Full || style="text-align:center" | Yes
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 +
With the dual 40mm Bofors the Duster has an excellent tool versus [[:Category:Bombers|bombers]] and [[:Category:Attackers|armoured attackers]]. Reserve the fire for certain hits. Against fighters the same tactic should be applied. There is no reason to spam the fire, unless sitting on cap-point for rearming.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* 40mm cannons are devastating to planes.
−
 
+
* AP rounds able to penetrate roughly 60 mm can be used against most medium tank side armour it could face.
 +
* Unsynchronized firing helps improve overall fire rate to double that listed.
 +
* Outside from default belts, the other belt options are made of a single type of shell that can be relied on.
 +
* Relatively fast vehicle with good mobility due to the M41A1 light tank basis.
 +
* Fast turret traverse rate helps track aircraft.
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Despite 40 mm cannons and the unsynchronized firing, the overall fire rate is still lower than its contemporaries.
 +
* 40 mm AP rounds are not the best AP rounds to use overall due to relatively low penetration.
 +
* Open turret allows aerial attacks and machine guns to decimate the exposed crew.
 +
* Very thin armour hull.
 +
* Is hull-breakable.
 +
* Careless driving can damage the vehicle.
 +
* Ammo can be used up rather quickly due to the dual-gun firing, prolonged combat can find the ammo stowage run empty.
 +
* Easily ammo-racked due to racks scattered all around turret, aerial autocannons could set it off if hit.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
During late World War II and the Korean War, the US Army were using the [[Twin Gun Motor Carriage M19]] as their main armoured forces anti-aircraft gun. However, during the Korean War, the US Army decides to phase out their M24 Chaffees and its variants, M19 included, in order to implement newer designs made in the time period. One of these newer designs was the development of the [[Light Tank M41 Walker Bulldog|M41 Walker Bulldog]] light tank. The 40 mm armament on the M19 was deemed effective enough to continue usage past the M19, so the turret of the M19 with the twin 40 mm cannons were taken off the chassis and modified to fit the chassis of the M41 light tank, which had a larger turret ring than the M24 Chaffee. This installment of the anti-aircraft armament onto the M41 light tank was designated as the '''M42'''. The production of the vehicle began in early 1952 at the General Motors Cleveland Tank Plant and entered service in 1953, replacing the many other self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles the army was fielding. Production continued from 1952 to December 1959, ending with a total number of 3,700 units. During the production, the M42 was upgraded in 1956 with a new engine and other upgrades common with the M41 light tank, this upgraded variant was the ''M42A1''.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The M42 was kept in US inventory past the Korean War, however it was sometime between then and the 1960s that the US Army came to the conclusion that ordinary anti-aircraft guns are unable to engage the new aircraft age of jets. Thus, the M42 was to be retired in 1963 and replaced by the HAWK surface-to-air missile. Though, even after their retirement, the units stationed at the Panama Canal Zone kept their M42s until the 1970s.
 +
 
 +
Then in the 1960s, with the intensity of the Vietnam War brewing up, more American soldiers get stationed in the country. Experiences with the missile showed that the HAWK missile system suppose to engage the new jet planes preformed badly in low-altitude defense. In order to ensure a tight grip on the airspace, the Army began to reissue the M42s to the Army in the air defense artillery battalions which contains four M42 batteries and one headquarter battery. These M42s start arriving in the fall of 1966 in three battalions, 1/44th, 5/2nd, and the 4/60th battalions. Though, despite their role, no dire air threat was presented from the North Vietnamese to the South, so the M42s were relegated to ground support duties in a tradition shared by its past predecessors. The M42s in this role was deployed as on-point security, convoy escorts, or a perimeter defense; it was in these roles that the M42 earned its nickname '''"Duster"''' for its lethality and effectiveness in ground support roles against the infantry.
 +
 
 +
After Vietnam, the M42 Dusters-equipped battalions were deactivated in late December 1971. These Dusters still in Vietnam were given to the ARVN forces. Training dusters at Fort Bliss were given back to the National Guard it was originally issued to, and multiple National Guard units were stationed with the M42 until it was officially retired in 1988, with the last unit retiring it be 2nd Battalion, 263 Air Defense Artillery.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23m42 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M42 Duster from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
[https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/752/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> La-5FN and M42 Duster]
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
−
''ETC.''
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 51: Line 230:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{USA anti-aircraft vehicles}}

Revision as of 16:06, 19 November 2018

Introducing Wiki 3.0
M42
us_m42_duster.png
M42
USA flag.png USA
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.0 4.0 4.0
Class:
Research:13 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:76 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

GarageImage M42.jpg


The M42 Duster is a Rank V American self-propelled anti-aicraft gun with a battle rating of 6.7. The M42 was released in Update 1.47 "Big Guns". It is currently the third to last tank on the American SPAA line up, preceding the M163 Vulcan and M247 Sergeant York. While armed with the same turret and cannons from its predecessor the M19, it has enhanced mobility by using the chassis of the M41A1 Walker Bulldog light tank.

The M42 "Duster" is a self propelled anti-air vehicle. Not much more to say. Stay behind and close to allies, but outside the enemies view-range and with clear line of sight to the horizon for low aircraft.

Compared to certain other SPAAs (ZSU-37, Wirbelwind, Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M13, etc.) the M42 cannot be used effectively in an anti-vehicle role. The average battle-rating is too high and the penetration value of the AP shells too low. The armour is not strong enough against the devastating tank HE shells. However the armour performs okay versus machine gun fire from aircraft, but auto-cannon fire is a problem. Thankfully the fuses of most tank APHE shells are not very sensitive, rendering the HE content useless and the entire shell into a mere AP solid shot. But, the machine is tiny and damage still very likely.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 12.7 mm (33°) Front glacis
25.7 mm (39°) Bottom glacis 		12.7 mm 12.7 mm Top
19 mm Bottom 		12.7 mm
Turret 12.7 mm 8 mm 8 mm N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
22.6 N/A 79 (AB)
72 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 710 ___
Realistic/Simulator 442 500
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 31.41 __.__
Realistic/Simulator 19.56 22.12

Armaments

Main article: Bofors (40 mm)
40 mm Bofors (x2)
Capacity (Belt capacity each) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
480 (8) 120 -3°/+85° ±180°
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 23.8 32.9 40.0 44.2 47.0
Realistic 23.8 28.0 34.0 37.6 40.0
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
0.65 0.58 0.53 0.50

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
Mk.II HEFI-T* 3 3 3 3 3 3
M81A1 AP-T 76 74 62 45 33 24
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
Mk.II HEFI-T* 874 0.86 0.2 0.1 63 +0° 79° 80° 81°
M81A1 AP-T 874 0.88 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°

Belt types

Belts Shell composition Combat usage
Default AP-T / HEFI-T* These work fine, a hit on an aircraft means certain death for it and still is able to hurt ground vehicles, especially if it is side into the side of a enemy tank. These seem like a good I don't know what i will run into belt.
Mk.II HEFI-T* These mean certain death for aircraft, what should be used for AA work.
M81A1 AP-T These are the worst belts against airplanes. however, they are able to hurt ground vehicles especially if it is side into the side of a enemy tank. If you plan on killing tanks load this and flank, since side shots are almost a necessity.

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M42 Duster.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		Recommendations Visual
discrepancy
60 50 (+10) 38 (+22) 14 (+46) 2 (+58) Keep Full Yes

Usage in the battles

With the dual 40mm Bofors the Duster has an excellent tool versus bombers and armoured attackers. Reserve the fire for certain hits. Against fighters the same tactic should be applied. There is no reason to spam the fire, unless sitting on cap-point for rearming.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 40mm cannons are devastating to planes.
  • AP rounds able to penetrate roughly 60 mm can be used against most medium tank side armour it could face.
  • Unsynchronized firing helps improve overall fire rate to double that listed.
  • Outside from default belts, the other belt options are made of a single type of shell that can be relied on.
  • Relatively fast vehicle with good mobility due to the M41A1 light tank basis.
  • Fast turret traverse rate helps track aircraft.

Cons:

  • Despite 40 mm cannons and the unsynchronized firing, the overall fire rate is still lower than its contemporaries.
  • 40 mm AP rounds are not the best AP rounds to use overall due to relatively low penetration.
  • Open turret allows aerial attacks and machine guns to decimate the exposed crew.
  • Very thin armour hull.
  • Is hull-breakable.
  • Careless driving can damage the vehicle.
  • Ammo can be used up rather quickly due to the dual-gun firing, prolonged combat can find the ammo stowage run empty.
  • Easily ammo-racked due to racks scattered all around turret, aerial autocannons could set it off if hit.

History

Development

During late World War II and the Korean War, the US Army were using the Twin Gun Motor Carriage M19 as their main armoured forces anti-aircraft gun. However, during the Korean War, the US Army decides to phase out their M24 Chaffees and its variants, M19 included, in order to implement newer designs made in the time period. One of these newer designs was the development of the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank. The 40 mm armament on the M19 was deemed effective enough to continue usage past the M19, so the turret of the M19 with the twin 40 mm cannons were taken off the chassis and modified to fit the chassis of the M41 light tank, which had a larger turret ring than the M24 Chaffee. This installment of the anti-aircraft armament onto the M41 light tank was designated as the M42. The production of the vehicle began in early 1952 at the General Motors Cleveland Tank Plant and entered service in 1953, replacing the many other self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles the army was fielding. Production continued from 1952 to December 1959, ending with a total number of 3,700 units. During the production, the M42 was upgraded in 1956 with a new engine and other upgrades common with the M41 light tank, this upgraded variant was the M42A1.

Combat usage

The M42 was kept in US inventory past the Korean War, however it was sometime between then and the 1960s that the US Army came to the conclusion that ordinary anti-aircraft guns are unable to engage the new aircraft age of jets. Thus, the M42 was to be retired in 1963 and replaced by the HAWK surface-to-air missile. Though, even after their retirement, the units stationed at the Panama Canal Zone kept their M42s until the 1970s.

Then in the 1960s, with the intensity of the Vietnam War brewing up, more American soldiers get stationed in the country. Experiences with the missile showed that the HAWK missile system suppose to engage the new jet planes preformed badly in low-altitude defense. In order to ensure a tight grip on the airspace, the Army began to reissue the M42s to the Army in the air defense artillery battalions which contains four M42 batteries and one headquarter battery. These M42s start arriving in the fall of 1966 in three battalions, 1/44th, 5/2nd, and the 4/60th battalions. Though, despite their role, no dire air threat was presented from the North Vietnamese to the South, so the M42s were relegated to ground support duties in a tradition shared by its past predecessors. The M42s in this role was deployed as on-point security, convoy escorts, or a perimeter defense; it was in these roles that the M42 earned its nickname "Duster" for its lethality and effectiveness in ground support roles against the infantry.

After Vietnam, the M42 Dusters-equipped battalions were deactivated in late December 1971. These Dusters still in Vietnam were given to the ARVN forces. Training dusters at Fort Bliss were given back to the National Guard it was originally issued to, and multiple National Guard units were stationed with the M42 until it was officially retired in 1988, with the last unit retiring it be 2nd Battalion, 263 Air Defense Artillery.

Media

Skins and camouflages for the M42 Duster from live.warthunder.com.

Read also

[Devblog] La-5FN and M42 Duster

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


USA anti-aircraft vehicles
M3 Half-track derivatives  M13 MGMC · M15 CGMC · M16 MGMC
M24 derivative  M19A1
M41 derivative  M42
Radar SPAAG  M163 · M247
Missile SPAA  ADATS · Imp.Chaparral · LAV-AD · XM975

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