In 1944, attempts to attach multiple rocket launch systems to vehicles were nothing new. The Soviets had successfully used their Katyusha launchers against the Germans, and they had been using Nebelwerfer weapons for some time. The general idea is to fire a lot of high-explosive ordnance at entrenched enemies within range. Accuracy is of some importance, although the sheer psychological impact of this weapon has led some to believe it is its only advantage on the battlefield.
Overall, the idea of ??the effectiveness of the Calliope system in the war planner's toolbox can be debated.
The Sherman Calliope first appeared in France in 1944 as the T34 Calliope system. The system consists of a 60 x 107 mm tube mounted above a standard Sherman turret and operates directly in height and orientation. Missiles can be attacked from the inside and fired at the same time.
Calliope systems provide a great deal of indirect firepower with minimal modifications to the systems that carry them. The system only needs to be fixed and the ignition system installed on the boat.
As a result, various missile launch systems linked to armored chassis, trucks and jeeps were used throughout the war.
Sherman Calliope came in various forms late in the war - many never saw combat. A few did have moderate success and exhibited in Europe and the Pacific. The T40 "Whiz Bang" Sherman became the most famous example of the genre and went into combat action during the last year of the war.
The T99 is the only Sherman Calliope system with a permanent Calliope that can be fitted with a standard Sherman tank turret.
- fire support/attack/damage
- Support/Special Purpose
5.9m
8.60 ft (2.62 m)
2.74m
38 km/h
99 miles (160 km)
for everyone else in our database)
60 x 4-6" rocket (launched from a wooden tube placed on the existing turret structure).
Depends on configuration. 10 to 60 rockets of different calibers.
Rocket Launcher T34 "Calliope" - Rocket Artillery Vehicle; Equipped with 60 x 4-6" Bazooka.
Rocket Launcher T34E1 - Based on T34; equipped with 14 rocket launchers.
Rocket Launcher T34E2 - Based on the T34; provisions for launching 7.2" rockets.
Rocket Launcher T39 - Shell Assembly; 20 x 7.2" rocket.
Rocket Launcher T40 "WhizBang" - Comes with a 20 x 7.2" rocket.
M17 - like T40
Rocket Launcher T72 - Based on the T34, with a shorter barrel; never produced.
Rocket Launcher T73 - Based on T40; 10 x ignition tubes; never produced.
Rocket Launcher T76 - development model; rocket launcher; based on M4A1 Sherman; with 7.2 rocket launcher; no main gun.
Rocket Launcher T105 - Development model; rocket launcher; based on M4A1 Sherman; rocket fired from closed box; no main gun.
T99 Multiple Rocket Launcher - Development Model; two enclosed box mounts for 22 x 4.5 inch rockets.