Little David

Little David's story

In 1944, the US War Department planned to invade the Japanese mainland, expecting to encounter very strong fortifications. Therefore, the military will need a heavy weapon to counter this structure.

With specifications set, the Army envisioned a weapon larger than the 16-inch (410-mm) guns found on Iowa-class battleships, which carried 2,700-pound (1,200-kg) shells. These large weapons proved ineffective against the Japanese bunkers on Iwo Jima.

The new gun was called "Little David", an American 36" (914 mm) mortar that became the largest gun ever built (beating the German giants "Dora" and "Karl" ). First used to test bombs during World War II, Little David was converted into a siege mortar, with plans to convert the instrument into an effective "bunker buster".

After the surrender of Japan, the continental invasion became unnecessary, and as a result, Little David was never really used in combat.

However, its potential effectiveness is questionable due to the weapon's limited range and accuracy. This mobile mortar is capable of throwing 3,650-pound shells 6 miles from a massive 22-foot muzzle-loading mortar barrel. Together with the launch mechanism and other related components that make up the tube assembly, David Jr. weighs 80,000 pounds. The crescent-shaped metal base under the barrel (or barrel) of the mortar was built in a massive 93,000-pound square box.

For stability reasons, the crates had to be buried in the ground before being launched from a dedicated bulldozer.

Little David will be transported by two M26A1 artillery tankers, including a 12 ton 6 x 6 tractor M26 (Pacific) and a 40 ton M15 (Fruhauf) semi-trailer, the latter also known as the "Dragon" Known as "wagons". These tractors were designated TR-1 by the manufacturer and were powered by Hall-Scott's 240 hp 440 6-cylinder gasoline engine. Hall-Scott designed the 440 engine specifically for the M26A1 and built approx.

2,100 engines. The mortar's barrel and base assemblies each form a separate tractor load during travel, while a third tractor tows a 3,600 lb projectile. A complete Little David unit also includes a Bulldozer with crane and shovel to excavate the location.

Huge mortar can be assembled and ready to fire in 12 hours. By comparison, the largest known German artillery (820mm) consists of no less than 25 It takes about 200 crew members three weeks to get them into firing position. Little David is more maneuverable than railguns in this regard.

One of the last survivors of David's gun is on display at the Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

HE (High Explosive) shells weighing up to 3,650 lb (1,361 kg) each.

Changes