Hi All,
Is it because of different suspension that the As90 doesn't need the spade grips at the rear like the Paladin?
Tom

Paladin doesn't use them in normal firing configuration. Paladin has the same heavy duty brakes and transmission lockout system as AS-90. The spades on the M109A6 Paladin are a hold-over from the earlier M109-M109A5 series, they are only used as an additional safety measure when mated (back to back) to the M992A2 Ammo Carrier, which is not a standard way to employ them. Usually, the Paladin operates in concert with another Paladin (a Paladin pair) and the ammo carriers stay to the flanks to provide security, only coming forward to resupply the Paladin when needed. Even then they don't back up to the gun, normally pulling up sideways behind them to transfer rounds/propellants/primers, etc.

And here is proof that what Gino wrote is true:



Pawel

Even on the M109A2 we didn't use the spades ever...

So none of use had any idea as to why they were there at all..

All they did is annoy us by gathering a lot of dust everytime.

BTW, that was the Dutch army, 1994/ 5 era


Oh, and Pawel: nice picture, but... way tooooooo much flash... when we fired our M109's... there was a lot of smoke but allmost no flash to speak off....

ANd for the sake of the crew of that paladin, i hope those jerrycans contain water lol ( which would by pasteurised after a few shots )

Back in my 13 Bravo days, we'd pour motor oil in the tubes for a great photo op.

We used to do that with the 106 recoilless when doing firepower demonstrations. The gasps from the peanut gallery when a 20 ft. flame came out of 6 tubes all firing in unison was hilarious.

I have been in service with the artillery on an M109A2. We didn't have the brakes like the paladin but we needed those spades and even with them lowered the vehicle would be back about 1 meter after firing several shots.....

Yup, we always used the spades through the A5 version. Standard policy in US Army, actually lowering and setting them was part of the crew drill for occupation.

I have a rear close-up shot of a Paladin firing during OIF1 if anybody is interested. But, the gallery is down right now and I can not post it. Oh well. The spade is not down as others have discussed.

I don't think these guys poured anything down the gun tube of this Paladin. :-)

Bob

18Bravo, tell me you didn't pour oil down the tube!!! Tell me!!!! Oh, and tell me you didn't put a double edge razor blades between the fuze and the round! Tell me!!1
Man, I love that sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) :-) :-) :-)