M-42 Duster

The M42 Duster is a full-track-laying, armored, anti-aircraft vehicle which can operate successfully in a wide range of environments. Major armament is a Bofors 40-mm dual automatic gun M2A1 mounted in the 40-mm twin gun mount M4E1. The Duster also mounted a 7.62 mm machine gun.

The Duster was developed out of experience in the Korean War, replacing the 40mm Gun Motor Carriage, M19. The Duster became a key infantry support weapon in the Vietnam War. It was designed for use with the maneuver forces against low-altitude air attack. In addition, because of the rapid rates of fire, the gun proved to be effective as a support weapon against ground targets.

M-42 Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton, (Duster)

Today in WW II: 23 May 1943 Adm. Döntiz, commander of the German Navy, calls off the Battle of the Atlantic, recognizing that the U-boat is no longer an effective weapon. More ↓

23 May 1944 Allied breakout from Anzio beachhead.
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M-42 Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton, (Duster)

The M42 Duster series is based on the M41 "Walker Bulldog" chassis by fitting the twin gun mount inside the hull turret ring. Three models were standardized, M42 produced from 1951-1953, the M42A1 standardized in 1956, and M42A2, all with the nomenclature "Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton, (Duster)."

The interior of the M42 Duster is divided into three areas: driving compartment at the front, stowage compartment in the center, and engine compartment in the rear. The driving compartment contains the driving controls and instruments. The seats for the driver and commander-radio operator are in the driving compartment. The stowage compartment serves as a base for the gun mount with space for 12 boxes of 40-mm ammunition. The engine compartment houses the main engine, auxiliary generator and engine, transmission, and fuel tanks. The gunner, squad leader, and cannoneer ride in the gun mount. The squad leader commands, via the intercommunications set AN/VIC-1, either from the commander's seat or the gun mount.

The 25 ton Duster is powered by a Lycoming AOSI-895-5 6 cyl. fuel injected 500 hp engine.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M-42 Duster Twin 40mm AAA at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

M-42A1 Duster 40mm self-propelled antiaircraft gun being prepared for action during exercise Brave Shield XIX, Ft. Hood, TX, 15 Mar 1979.

This M42 Duster was photographed on 18 Feb 2009 at Melrose Air Force Range, 25 miles from Cannon Air Force Base, NM. The long obsolete vehicle is most useful now as target practice. The M42 Duster air defense artillery is based on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank chassis.

US Army M42 Duster (M-42 Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton) passes a burning USMC LVTP-5 (left) hit by North Vietnamese mortars, Gio Linh, Vietnam, 9 May 1967.

M-42 Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton, (Duster) at the US Marine Corps Mechanized Museum, Camp Pendleton, CA.

M-42 Carriage, Self-propelled, Anti-aircraft, Twin 40mm, 25-ton, (Duster) photographed at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. Major armament is a Bofors 40-mm dual automatic gun M2A1 mounted in the 40-mm twin gun mount M4E1. The Duster also mounted a 7.62 mm machine gun.

M-42 Duster Photo Gallery

M-42 Duster, Gio Linh, Vietnam, 8 May 1967.

M-42 Duster at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.