M42A1 "Duster"
United States
— 1952-1960 —
Type: Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Motor Gun Carriage
Manufacturer: Tank Division of General Motors
Weight: 49,500 lbs
Armament: Twin Mount 40 mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Guns
Engine: Continental AOS-895-3, Six Cylinder, 500 hp
Max Speed: 45 mph
Crew: 6
Number Built: 3,700
Used in both Korea and Vietnam as an antiaircraft artillery platform, the M42 proved devastating against ground targets. Dusters could perform indirect fire missions using targeting data from artillery fire-direction centers. They fired faster than standard artillery pieces with pinpoint accuracy at short ranges and could put up a wall of fire on automatic or engage with a single round. At night, the Dusters were paired with a searchlight set on infrared mode which could sweep an area without revealing its position.
Dusters were used by the Louisiana National Guard 105th Anti-Aircraft Battalion after World War II until 1 Jul 1959 and then the 4th Automatic Weapons Battalion (Support), 141st Air Defense Artillery until May 1963.
Object ID# 666353
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 29° 57.552′ N, 90° 0.354′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. M19A1 "Duster" (a few steps from this marker); M4A3 "Sherman Tank" (within shouting distance of this marker); M59 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); M161A "Half Track" (within shouting distance of this marker); M109A3 Self Propelled Medium Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); M75 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); M47 "Patton" Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M20 Scout Car "Greyhound" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.
More about this marker.
Located on the grounds of the Louisiana National Guard, Jackson Barracks base. The Ansel M. Stroud Jr. Military History & Weapons Museum is located on site. Museum is opened M-Sat 10-4. Highly recommend checking before a visit to make sure base/museum is opened and accessible to civilians, as it is an active military base.
Also see . . . Geaux Guard Museum website. (Submitted on December 31, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.