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M-3 Howitzer 105mm

 
Early in World War II, the U.S. Army found the M2, 105mm howitzer was rather heavy for airborne assault and the M1, 75mm pack howitzer slightly impotent for front line artillery batteries. In response the M3, 105mm howitzer was designed by shorting the M2 cannon barrel, redesigning its recoil system and cloning the carriage of the 75mm pack howitzer. The result reduced its weight by 2,000 lbs allowing it for airborne deployment. While firing the same 105mm munitions, its shorten barrel length dropped muzzle velocity from 1,550 to 1,050 feet per second. Its effective range dropped from 12,200 to 8,200 yards. However, this was acceptable and provided a howitzer that was a highly maneuverable field artillery unit for infantry and airborne divisions. Approximately 2,500 were built by 1945.
 

 

 
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Christy Butler **** www.shoeboxphotos.net **** **** butts@bcn.net