A Behemoth in the Field

A Behemoth in the Field. . 240mm T1 Gun, Watervleit Arsenal, New York, c. 1950, serial number 1., 280mm T72 Gun Carriage, Watertown Arsenal, Massachusetts, c. 1952. WM 87.31.7 a,b, The 240mm gun provided a bridge between conventional cannons and atomic cannons. In November 1944 the U.S. Army decided to develop a 240mm gun superior to the standard 8-inch and 240mm howitzers. The Frankfort Institute was charged by the Office of Ordinance with the design of the gun and mount in October 1946. Watervliet Arsenal was contracted for the manufacture of the gun and Watertown Arsenal was responsible for the construction of the gun carriage. Two prototype guns were produced by 1950 and testing began. The 240mm gun and carriage weighed 94,000 pounds and had a range of 18 miles., The 240mm gun project was placed in inactive status with the development of the 280mm gun in May of 1950. The 280mm gun was designed to be a heavier companion piece to the 240mm T1. Both guns were designed to be interchangeable on the 280mm T72 gun carriage. The 280mm incorporated many of the design features of the 240mm especially in the breech, which was modified to fit the jacket and tube assembly and other minor changes to improve functioning and safety. The research and testing done on the 240mm T1 gun led to the creation of the 280mm T131 atomic cannon., To move the gun carriage two hydraulic prime movers were developed. These vehicles were positioned at both ends of the carriage and used a hydraulic system to lift the gun and carriage.

(captions) , Both the 240mm and the 280mm guns had a crew of 13 to 15 men. None of these experimental pieces saw combat. Advances in rocket guidance and trajectory systems relegated the big guns to quick obsolesnce., 240mm T1 Gun, Watervleit Arsenal, New York, c. 1950, serial number 1., 280mm T72 Gun Carriage, Watertown Arsenal, Massachusetts, c. 1952.