For how long did the 105 mm RR exist in US Army units. I am building the Academy M151A1 Mutt with this on board and just got an sting of curiosity to know about how long this weapon and carrier was in use in the US Army.
I can’t say for sure because I was in the Air Force and we only had the 90mm recoiless but I think that they got the 106 during Korea and probably lost them in the military rebuild in the 1980s.
Was first used during the later 50’s or early 60’s, faded from US service during the 80’s when it was replaced by the “jeep” mounted TOW system. Was used by some members of the coilliton during DS and may still be in use by some foriegn governments
Ok!
But as the carrier is an M151A1 with the early style of position lights and so on will it maybe only be placed in an 60’s or early 70’s timeframe?
Or did this early version soldier on until the 80’s??
I am no expert on this weapon, but I can tell you absolutely that from 1976 to 1980, recoiless rifles were never part of TO&E for US Army in Europe. During Reforger, and countless field exersizes with armor and infantry combined arms, I NEVER saw a recoiless mounted on a MUTT.
Steve
I can’t answer your question with regards to the 105mm on a Jeep, but when I enlisted as an engineer, we had 90mm recoillless rifles in our company until I left the unit in 1986.
I agree with Rob. The RR was use by many units in Nam. As the Army went into the 80s and their rebuild the RR was mainly given to engineer units to give them a heavy weapon. By the late 80s as the Hummer and other new vehicles appeared the RR slowly dissappeared.
Hey redleg,
Yep, I understand that they were used in the NAM, but I swear in USAEUR from '76 to 78 I never saw one. I was in a TO&E Armor unit, with combat support, and we had 5 battalions of grunts on our post, never saw a RR…no argument here, I’m quite sure Rob’s unit had 'em if he says so. I’m just saying I never saw one, especially on a 1/4 ton.
regards,
Steve
Our recoilless rifles were used for demo purposes, not anti-tank. They were not Jeep mounted, we carried them in the M113s and were used for bunker busting or building demo. I would not have wanted to use one on a vehicle larger than a BMP or BTR.
That’s exactly why I said after Nam they were religated to the engineers. They were great for making holes in bunkers and buildings at a distance. I would bet as time went on they went only in the reserves until ammo stocks were low and just like the old soldier, they faded away.
The last time they may have been mounted on a mutt was Nam. If they were mounted on a mutt thereafter it would have been in the reserves. Otherwise they would have been on M113s as Rob stated. I’ll check with an old buddy of mine who was in the reserves as an engineer through the late 80s and give you an update.
Know the 90mm and the 106mm RR where in use in Europe in 70-71 by Infantry units on the M-151A1, while I was there, saw both being used on the ranges at Graf
Hey John, ever see the 106s used in this fashion?
“This is one of two Cavalier Mustangs delivered to the US Army for use as chase-planes in the AH-56 “Cheyenne” attack helicopter project. The serial is 68-15796. (After conversion from that role) After the AH-56A project had been dropped, the Army Cavaliers were looking for a new job and soon were sent to NAS China Lake, where they were used in 106 mm recoilless rifle tests. Seen here with this weapon attached at the wing-tips is 68-15796, photographed 20th June 1974 (Official US Navy photograph).”
Never saw that photo, Rob, very interesting I knew the Army used tge Mustangs for chase planes, but never saw them armed that way, It would make an interesting model. Thanks, hope you don’t mind but I kept a copy of it.
I will admit that the mustangs mounting RR’s is unique but the ballsest use I saw was a RR mounted on a vespa scooter. I think the photo was on a thread a year or so ago. It was mounted just above the running board with the barrel passing through a hole in the front body works. I guess ammo storage was a back pack!
I checked with my buddy and he confirmed the had RR for opening doors at long distance. The had them man packed in 3 man teams and did not have them vehicle mounted.
I would not want to carry that into battle!!
When I left Vietnam in June '68 (in the US Navy, ashore) I remember waiting for the bus to take us to Tan San Nhut airfield to go back to the world when a fairly sharp firefight broke out on the route that would take us to the airfield (naturally). A few mins later a column of US Army jeep and deuce-and-a-halfs came rolling by with lots of ARVN and US troops aboard. The M151A1’s were armed with .50 cals, M-60 MG’s and the two lead vehicles had 105 recoiless rifles so I would guess they were mounted on vehicles used in "Nam at least as late as 1967/68 and probably later. Although they weren’t armored (except for a layer of sandbags on the jeep floors) those recoiless rifles could lay down a lot of anti-personnel ordnance in an ambush. Hope that helps ya a bit. Rick Martin
I can’t help with Army, but I know when I was stationed in Cuba, the Marines had a whole dump truck full of them mounted on mechanical mules, and being regularly fired as late as '78.
Gip
I am at work right now, but I can get a copy of that picture of the thing on the scooter, when I do I’ll post it. I think I have that photo at home. If not I’ll call a friend and have him e-mail it to me.
Mcihael
1/75 & 2/75 Ranger Battalion elements used the M67 90mm Recoiless during “Urgent Fury” the invasion of Grenada in 1983
http://www.ranger.org/rangerHistoryGrenada.html
“There were already several elements of 1/75 dug in on the left side of the road and to our front. 1/75 units already in blocking positions initiated engagement of the BTR force as it came into view. I ended up about 10 feet behind one of our 90 RR rifles and had a “50 yard line” seat for the show. One of the 90 shots from that weapon shredded the camo cover on my helmet. Both 1/75 and 2/75 RR gunners were deadly accurate. We paced off the distance from our gun, and it was about 380 meters, almost at max eff range (400 meters for the old 90 RR). Each of the BTRs sustained multiple 90 hits. The M 60 MG crews absolutely chewed up the accompanying Grenadian Inf. who were inside the BTRs. As they tried to pile out of the vehicles, the M-60s tattooed them. I recall one poor long legged guy get a leg hung up climbing out, and that was all she wrote.”
They were still in use on MUTT’s w/U.S. Army units in Panama in 1984. See pics in this post:
http://www.com-central.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=49017#49017
You’ll need to scroll up just a bit to see them.