PMI0117A LONG TOM 155 MM

The M59 gun (previously designated as M1 or M2) is an American 155 mm towed howitzer from the Second World War and the post-war period. The initial velocity of the demolition shell from this gun was up to 853 m / s, with a maximum range of about 23,700 meters. Serial production was carried out in 1940-1945 and led to the creation of about 1,880 pieces of this weapon. Design work on a new heavy cannon for the US Army began in 1918, but was interrupted, slowed down by the Great Depression, and only ended in 1938! Their main goal was to create a cannon that would replace the long-serving Cannon de 155 mm GPF in the line, dating back to World War I. Compared to its predecessor, the new gun was easier to transport, it also had a significantly greater range and the initial velocity of the shell. The M59 gun (still under the designation M1-M2) entered production in 1940 and was used on a large scale during World War II - both in Europe and in the Far East. It underwent its baptism of fire in North Africa in December 1942. It was very often towed by an M4 tracked tractor. The M59 gun turned out to be a successful weapon and was also used in the Korean (1950-1953) and Vietnamese (1964 / 1965-1975) wars. The gun was also exported to many countries, including South Korea and Turkey.