Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

M42 <i>Duster</i> Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun Marker

Inscription. Because the M42 was used extensively in Vietnam, soldiers dubbed it the Duster because of the amount of dust that it kicked both in the firebases and in the target area. Having no radar, the M42 was a clear weather, anti-aircraft artillery piece designed to engage low flying propeller-driven aircraft. When jets began to take over ground attack missions, the M42 was gradually replaced. Democratic armed forces in the Republic of China still used the M42 as recently as 1995.

Vehicle Specifications
Armament: 2 x 40 mm M2 automatic anti-aircraft guns with 480 rounds, 1 x .30 caliber machinegun (M1919 or M60) with 1,750 rounds
Maximum rate of fire: 240 rounds per minute
Crew: 6 (commander, gunner, assistant gunner, loader, driver, and assistant driver)
Weight: 49, 508 lbs
Maximum effective weapons range: 5,470 yards (slant)
Speed: 45 mph
Maximum armor thickness: 25 mm
Production: 3,700
Year entering service: 1955

Erected by Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Camp Shelby. (Marker Number 17.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.

Location. 31° 11.814′ N,

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89° 13.448′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M56 Scorpion Self-Propelled Gun (a few steps from this marker); M102 105mm Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); M60 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle

M42 <i>Duster</i> Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); M103A2 Heavy Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M578 Armored Recovery Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker); M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M48 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.

More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

M42 <i>Duster</i> Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

The front view of the M42.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

4. M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

The side view of the M42.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 9, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.