105mm Canon - Revision history

WikiSysop: /* Second Source */

2022-09-13T16:47:09Z

Second Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:47, 13 September 2022
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	=Second Source=		=Second Source=
	In August 2022, newly uncovered documents came to light that show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945~~. The cannon was hand-loaded and was not an Autoloader, which suggests that it was possibly a T-12 variant~~.		In August 2022, newly uncovered documents came to light that show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.

	This source is a personnel commendation in Floyd Thomas's personnel file, commending him for his work on the 105mm project and volunteering to fire it because no one at Douglas would (or perhaps could) fire the gun. Floyd was an ~~Ordance~~ Technician in the employment of the Air Services Technical Command, Western Division, at Los Angeles, CA.		This source is a personnel commendation in Floyd Thomas's personnel file, commending him for his work on the 105mm project and volunteering to fire it because no one at Douglas would (or perhaps could) fire the gun. Floyd was an Ordnance Technician in the employment of the Air Services Technical Command, Western Division, at Los Angeles, CA.

	The commendation letter, provided by Floyd's grandson, Eric, is dated 7 May 1945, so the tests must have been concluded before that. The commendation also ~~comea~~ from the Air Services Technical Command, Western Division, so that unit must have been overseeing the tests in some way.		The commendation letter, provided by Floyd's grandson, Eric, is dated 7 May 1945, so the tests must have been concluded before that. The commendation also comes from the Air Services Technical Command, Western Division, so that unit must have been overseeing the tests in some way.

	Both Floyd Thomas and the ASTC, Western Division are based in California, so it seems likely the tests occurred there at one of the bases.		Both Floyd Thomas and the ASTC, Western Division are based in California, so it seems likely the tests occurred there at one of the bases.

WikiSysop: /* Canon Type */

2022-09-13T16:46:45Z

Canon Type

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 13 September 2022
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	=Canon Type=		=Canon Type=
	This cannon was most likely a version of the T12 Aircraft Howitzer, confirmation pending.		This cannon was most likely a version of the T12 lightweight Aircraft Howitzer, confirmation pending. It was definitely not an autoloader.



	==Sources==		==Sources==

WikiSysop: /* Second Source */

2022-09-13T16:46:13Z

Second Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 13 September 2022
Line 17:		Line 17:

	=Second Source=		=Second Source=
	In August 2022, newly uncovered documents came to light that show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.		In August 2022, newly uncovered documents came to light that show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945. The cannon was hand-loaded and was not an Autoloader, which suggests that it was possibly a T-12 variant.

	This source is a personnel commendation in Floyd Thomas's personnel file, commending him for his work on the 105mm project and volunteering to fire it because no one at Douglas would (or perhaps could) fire the gun. Floyd was an Ordance Technician in the employment of the Air Services Technical Command, Western Division, at Los Angeles, CA.		This source is a personnel commendation in Floyd Thomas's personnel file, commending him for his work on the 105mm project and volunteering to fire it because no one at Douglas would (or perhaps could) fire the gun. Floyd was an Ordance Technician in the employment of the Air Services Technical Command, Western Division, at Los Angeles, CA.
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	''It is desired to commend you for your voluntary participation as loader in the successful air firing tests of the 105MM Howitzer installation in an A-26B airplane, which is believed to be the largest weapon known to have been fired from an airplane. During this testing you participated in 2 flights totalling one hour and fifty minutes. Over 50 rounds of ammunition were fired at indicated airspeeds of 250 to 375 miles per hour. Charges varying from 50% to 115% were fired in all gun positions from 1 degree to 6 degrees elevation."		''It is desired to commend you for your voluntary participation as loader in the successful air firing tests of the 105MM Howitzer installation in an A-26B airplane, which is believed to be the largest weapon known to have been fired from an airplane. During this testing you participated in 2 flights totalling one hour and fifty minutes. Over 50 rounds of ammunition were fired at indicated airspeeds of 250 to 375 miles per hour. Charges varying from 50% to 115% were fired in all gun positions from 1 degree to 6 degrees elevation."

	It is signed D.F. Stace, Brigadier General, Commanding.		It is signed D.F. Stace, Brigadier General, Commanding.



	=Canon Type=		=Canon Type=

WikiSysop: /* Canon Type */

2022-08-25T15:06:30Z

Canon Type

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 25 August 2022
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	=Canon Type=		=Canon Type=
	This cannon was most likely a version of the T12 Aircraft Howitzer.		This cannon was most likely a version of the T12 Aircraft Howitzer, confirmation pending.



	==Sources==		==Sources==

WikiSysop: /* Canon Type */

2022-08-25T15:06:22Z

Canon Type

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 25 August 2022
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	=Canon Type=		=Canon Type=
	~~I have been able to narrow down that this type of~~ cannon was most likely ~~one~~ of ~~two types, either~~ the T12 Aircraft Howitzer ~~or the T9E2 Autoloading Recoilless Howitzer, both of which appear to have been manufactured by Oldsmobile~~.		This cannon was most likely a version of the T12 Aircraft Howitzer.




	==Sources==		==Sources==

WikiSysop: /* Second Source */

2022-08-25T05:04:25Z

Second Source

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 =Second Source=
-Newly uncovered documents show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.
+In August 2022, newly uncovered documents came to light that show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.
 I have been able to narrow down that this type of cannon was most likely one of two types, either the T12 Aircraft Howitzer or the T9E2 Autoloading Recoilless Howitzer, both of which appear to have been manufactured by Oldsmobile.

WikiSysop: /* First Source */

2022-08-25T04:35:53Z

First Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 25 August 2022
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	When I first came across this account it was just the photo by itself posted in a forum thread. A lot of "experts" on the thread were quick to call it fake stating that the artist who drew it doesnt understand the inside of planes, or saying there's no record of it and dismissing it. The drawing shows the cannon mounted in a very similar manner to the 75mm cannon.		When I first came across this account it was just the photo by itself posted in a forum thread. A lot of "experts" on the thread were quick to call it fake stating that the artist who drew it doesnt understand the inside of planes, or saying there's no record of it and dismissing it. The drawing shows the cannon mounted in a very similar manner to the 75mm cannon.


	I did some searching and uncovered the source of this photo, a single book which features this photo as a footnote of sorts while discussing aerial cannons.		I did some searching and uncovered the source of this photo, a single book which features this photo as a footnote of sorts while discussing aerial cannons.

WikiSysop: /* First Source */

2022-08-25T04:35:33Z

First Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 25 August 2022
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	[[File:105mm Howitzer.jpg\|center\|750px]]<br>		[[File:105mm Howitzer.jpg\|center\|750px]]<br>

	The source record states that it was the largest forward firing cannon ever ~~shot from a plane~~, ~~which does suggest that~~ it was ~~at least test-~~fired. Normally, I wouldn't put too much stock into a single report, but this report comes from "The Machine Gun, Volume 5". This book was written by Col. George M. Chinn, USMC (Ret), who was the United States' foremost weapons expert during and after WWII. He has been called the "Bill Gates of Machine Guns" and this work was the culmination of his life's work. Given who it was that reported this gun, I am inclined to believe him.		The source record states that it was the largest forward firing cannon ever flown, but gives no indication if it was actually fired.

	I ~~have been looking for~~ the ~~records~~ of this ~~project~~, ~~but so far~~, I ~~have not had~~ much ~~luck~~. ~~Unfortunately~~, the ~~Air Force didn~~'~~t label top secret test projects with easy names like~~ "~~105mm Canon Test~~", so I ~~do not even know~~ what name ~~to search for~~.		When I first came across this account it was just the photo by itself posted in a forum thread. A lot of "experts" on the thread were quick to call it fake stating that the artist who drew it doesnt understand the inside of planes, or saying there's no record of it and dismissing it. The drawing shows the cannon mounted in a very similar manner to the 75mm cannon.


			I did some searching and uncovered the source of this photo, a single book which features this photo as a footnote of sorts while discussing aerial cannons.

			Normally, I wouldn't put too much stock into a single report, but this report comes from "The Machine Gun, Volume 5". This book was written by Col. George M. Chinn, USMC (Ret). For those who don't know, Col. Chinn was the United States' foremost weapons expert during and after WWII. He has been called the "Bill Gates of Machine Guns" and this work was the culmination of his life's work. Given that it was he who reported this gun, I am inclined to believe him, since he is a bonefied expert on weaponry.

			Unfortunately, Col. Chinn's book didnt give any indication about when or where the 105mm tests took place, who was involved, or what the project name was. For a long time it was a dead end.

	=Second Source=		=Second Source=

WikiSysop at 01:23, 25 August 2022

2022-08-25T01:23:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:23, 25 August 2022
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	~~=105MM Howitzer=~~
	There is evidence to suggest that at least 1 Invader was equipped with a prototype 105MM cannon in the nose.		There is evidence to suggest that at least 1 Invader was equipped with a prototype 105MM cannon in the nose.

			=First Source=
	There is a single drawing showing this gun in a similar fixed position in the nose as the 75MM version. <br>		There is a single drawing showing this gun in a similar fixed position in the nose as the 75MM version. <br>

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	I have been looking for the records of this project, but so far, I have not had much luck. Unfortunately, the Air Force didn't label top secret test projects with easy names like "105mm Canon Test", so I do not even know what name to search for.		I have been looking for the records of this project, but so far, I have not had much luck. Unfortunately, the Air Force didn't label top secret test projects with easy names like "105mm Canon Test", so I do not even know what name to search for.

			=Second Source=
	Newly uncovered documents show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.		Newly uncovered documents show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.

WikiSysop: Created page with "=105MM Howitzer= There is evidence to suggest that at least 1 Invader was equipped with a prototype 105MM cannon in the nose. There is a single drawing showing this gun in..."

2022-08-25T01:23:00Z

Created page with "=105MM Howitzer= There is evidence to suggest that at least 1 Invader was equipped with a prototype 105MM cannon in the nose. There is a single drawing showing this gun in..."

New page

=105MM Howitzer=
There is evidence to suggest that at least 1 Invader was equipped with a prototype 105MM cannon in the nose.

There is a single drawing showing this gun in a similar fixed position in the nose as the 75MM version. <br>

[[File:105mm Howitzer.jpg|center|750px]]<br>

The source record states that it was the largest forward firing cannon ever shot from a plane, which does suggest that it was at least test-fired. Normally, I wouldn't put too much stock into a single report, but this report comes from "The Machine Gun, Volume 5". This book was written by Col. George M. Chinn, USMC (Ret), who was the United States' foremost weapons expert during and after WWII. He has been called the "Bill Gates of Machine Guns" and this work was the culmination of his life's work. Given who it was that reported this gun, I am inclined to believe him.

I have been looking for the records of this project, but so far, I have not had much luck. Unfortunately, the Air Force didn't label top secret test projects with easy names like "105mm Canon Test", so I do not even know what name to search for.

Newly uncovered documents show that this weapon was indeed fired at least 50 times using a variety of different ammo loadouts spread out across two different flights. The tests were conducted in California, and Floyd A. Thomas was the gunner who volunteered to fire the cannon during the tests. The tests were concluded by Jul 1945.

I have been able to narrow down that this type of cannon was most likely one of two types, either the T12 Aircraft Howitzer or the T9E2 Autoloading Recoilless Howitzer, both of which appear to have been manufactured by Oldsmobile.

==Sources==