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Armor/AFV: AA/AT/Artillery
For discussions about artillery and anti-aircraft or anti-tank guns.
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Use of the M102 105mm cannon in training
long_tom
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Posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 - 07:15 AM UTC
I have this project in line and was planning to use it as a field training gun. How would such a scenario look like? Thanks.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 - 07:29 AM UTC
We train as we fight, so it would look the same as if it were in a combat situation. The gun would be in firing position and the crew feeding rounds into it. The gunner would be on the left side checking for proper azimuth, the assistant gunner would be on the right side checking to varify the proper elevation. The #1 man would be behind the breach loading ammo. The section chief woud be to the rear of the piece varifying everything is going as it should. There would be three or four other guys to the rear of the piece as ammo handlers to prepare and pass the ammo to the gun crew.

Here are a couple examples:






Hope that helps.
long_tom
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Posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 - 07:49 PM UTC
Thank you, it helps tremendously. But I thought of one more question: when was the M102 actually used? Also, who checks on whether all the crew memebers are doing things right, and what happens if there is a problem with the gun and the crew cannot figure it out?
thathaway3
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Posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:08 PM UTC

Quoted Text

...... But I thought of one more question: when was the M102 actually used? Also, who checks on whether all the crew memebers are doing things right, and what happens if there is a problem with the gun and the crew cannot figure it out?



The M102 was introduced in either the very late 60's or early 70s to replace the M101, which was pretty much a WW II vintage piece. One of the big considerations in the design of the M102 was its ease in covering fire missions in all directions (6400 mils in FAspeak) which was a big consideration in Vietnam compared to a traditional "front" which was typical in WW II.

The person responsibile to ensure all the crew members are doing things right is the Chief of Section, usually a Staff Sgt (E-6) and the equivalent of a "squad leader" in the Infantry.

As far as "problems" with the gun, if you're talking about a "misfire" there's an entire procedure, with variations on cold tube and hot tube, which the crew is supposed to follow.

If you're talking to "mechanical" type problems there's an entire series of maintence support, from crew level all the way to Depot to diagnose and repair issues. The Tech Manuals (TM's) are very good in providing who does what at each level, with parts lists and illustrations.

Tom
Sabot
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Posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:17 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thank you, it helps tremendously. But I thought of one more question: when was the M102 actually used? ...
I know of at least one Army National Guard field artillery unit in Nashua, New Hampshire that still used the M102 in 2004.

I had two in my motor pool that were awaiting turn in and the National Guardsmen would ask if they could take some of the serviceable parts off of my guns and replace them with broken pieces from their guns. In return, they did technical inspections of my guns and listed all the deficiencies and parts that needed replacing.
Zacman
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Posted: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 12:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

...... But I thought of one more question: when was the M102 actually used? Also, who checks on whether all the crew memebers are doing things right, and what happens if there is a problem with the gun and the crew cannot figure it out?



The M102 was introduced in either the very late 60's or early 70s to replace the M101, which was pretty much a WW II vintage piece. One of the big considerations in the design of the M102 was its ease in covering fire missions in all directions (6400 mils in FAspeak) which was a big consideration in Vietnam compared to a traditional "front" which was typical in WW II.

The person responsibile to ensure all the crew members are doing things right is the Chief of Section, usually a Staff Sgt (E-6) and the equivalent of a "squad leader" in the Infantry.

As far as "problems" with the gun, if you're talking about a "misfire" there's an entire procedure, with variations on cold tube and hot tube, which the crew is supposed to follow.

If you're talking to "mechanical" type problems there's an entire series of maintence support, from crew level all the way to Depot to diagnose and repair issues. The Tech Manuals (TM's) are very good in providing who does what at each level, with parts lists and illustrations.

Tom

I think it come in the U.S. Army in 1964, i could be wrong!
thathaway3
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Posted: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 02:04 AM UTC
Actually, I believe you're correct, although I think it took a while before a lot of units replaced their old "split trails".

Tom
Zacman
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Posted: Friday, August 25, 2006 - 03:01 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Actually, I believe you're correct, although I think it took a while before a lot of units replaced their old "split trails".

Tom

And even longer for the Marnie Corp. My son's Grandfather was in the Marnies(Artillery) from 64-68, and they used the m101 to great effect, during his time in Vietnam.
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