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The original Plymouth Duster is a semi-fastback two-door version of the compact-sized Plymouth Valiantautomobile that was marketed by Chrysler in the U.S. from 1970 to 1976 model years.
(Wikipedia)
After the Korean War, the US Army made the decision to retire the M24 Chaffee light tank, as it was considered obsolete, and replace it with the M41 Walker Bulldog. To preserve commonality of parts, all vehicles based on the M24 chassis were also retired, to be replaced by those based on the M41. The M19 antiaircraft vehicle was based on the M24, but it was a simple expedient to take the M19's turret and place it on a M41 chassis. The result was the M42, nicknamed "Duster" by its crews for what it would reduce targets to.
The M42, like the M19 before it, was equipped with twin Bofors 40mm cannon, which were devastating to low-flying aircraft. However, this was only true for propeller aircraft or helicopters, as the Duster lacked any sort of radar tracking system and could only engage visually; against a jet fighter, the Duster fired too slowly, assuming the crew could find the range. It was also an open-topped design, vulnerable to weather, radiation on a nuclear battlefield, and enemy infantry. As a result, by 1960, the US Army mostly retired the Duster in favor of missile systems.
When the US became involved in the Vietnam War, the Army rethought its decision: the North Vietnamese were known to use Antonov An-2 biplanes as bombers. While unlikely that the North Vietnamese would be able to bomb airfields and firebases in South Vietnam, the Korean War had taught the US Army the lesson that aerial harassment was an effective tactic. As a result, many M42s were returned to service and deployed to Vietnam. Though the aerial threat never materialized, it was already known that twin 40mm were devastating to infantry as well as aircraft. Dusters then served to protect bases from North Vietnamese and Viet Cong attacks. Though not as effective in the jungle (due to the vegetation tending to detonate the 40mm shells before they hit their targets), in clear fields of fire--such as those surrounding firebases--the M42 was deadly. It would serve to the end of the Vietnam War.
After Vietnam, the M42 was retired from US Army service in favor of the M163 Vulcan Air Defense System, but others would remain in the service of friendly nations into the 21st Century.
This M42 is part of the National Museum of Military Vehicles' Vietnam firebase display. Unfortunately, the way it is displayed, the turret is turned away from visitors, so the twin 40mm cannon cannot be seen in a way to photograph them and the vehicle. Nonetheless, this shows the general layout of the Duster's turret, along with what crews would add to help defend their vehicle--namely the extra M2HB .50 caliber machine gun. Unlike the other vehicles in the NMMV's Vietnam War display, the ones at the firebase are purposely "dirtied up" with a fair approximation of Vietnam's famous (or infamous!) red dirt.
Like the convoy display, the firebase display has sound effects: next to the M42 is a "hooch" with personal items, including a transistor radio, playing '60s era music--and naturally, a lot of the music is Creedence Clearwater Revival, which might as well be the soundtrack for the Vietnam War.
I couldn't figure out why this crop duster was at work since I saw no current crops in need of dusting. I took the picture looking out between the flora of Legion Cemetery, Tensas Parish, Louisiana.
NOTE: Those are balloons :)
MEIDAY MEIDAY! vs. ENCIRCLE THE CITY! GO! GO!
Big Sky Mind, QC
July 12, 2008
See more car pics on my facebook page!
- - -
The original Plymouth Duster is a semi-fastback two-door version of the compact-sized Plymouth Valiantautomobile that was marketed by Chrysler in the U.S. from 1970 to 1976 model years.
(Wikipedia)
Super-low-mileage low-optioned radio-delete car with one repaint. Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals, July 12, 2009.
What, only £10,880 brand new? Who are you trying to kid? OK, that's for the entry level model, but the dearest 4x4 model is only £19,100. What's the catch? Well, it's not the most inspiring car to drive and the interior is bland. And then there's that name - Duster. I suppose it's better than floor cloth or dish cloth, but not much better! What's in a name though - Everything. Look, if you want a Renault, then buy a Renault. OK, so the Renault will cost more but at least they have proper names like Migrane (or is it Megane), Twizzy, Triber or Kadjar .... ummm, perhaps not. Perhaps I'm just missing something here - maybe this is the modern Lada, in which case it's a bargain and a half.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Annelida
Class Polychaeta
Order Sabellida
Family Sabellidae
Genus Eudistylia
Species Eudistylia vancouveri
Common Names: Feather duster worm, Northern feather duster worm, Parchment tube worm, Plume worm
My sincere thanks to leslieworms for identifying the species!!
Explore #354: February 18, 2009.