M1 (Bazooka) / (2.36-inch Rocket Launcher M1)

History

The M1 "Bazooka" was a pivotal weapon during World War II for the Allies. Its ease of use, maintenance, and mass production contributed to its success on the battlefield. General Dwight Eisenhower attributed the Bazooka as a significant factor in the Allies' victory, proving effective against tanks and fortifications. It saw action in major conflicts, including World War II, Chinese Civil War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Cambodian Civil War.

Before the Bazooka's introduction, existing anti-tank measures were inadequate, such as towed guns, heavy rifles, and grenades that were either cumbersome or risky. Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 highlighted the need for better anti-tank weapons, as their advanced tanks rendered existing options obsolete. The US Army, lacking effective anti-tank weaponry, made the Bazooka's development crucial to address this gap and improve combat capabilities.

The Bazooka's name was inspired by a wind instrument's appearance, and it was also referred to as "zooka" or "stove pipe." This innovative weapon filled the void of portable anti-tank solutions and played a crucial role in countering armored threats, proving its worth on multiple battlefronts until its relevance waned with advancing military technology in the 1960s.

Specification

BASICS

Years of Service: 1942

Origins: United States

Categories: Reusable anti-tank missile launcher

Manufacturer: General Electric / Cheney Bigelow Wire Works / Conductron Corporation - USA

Operators: Argentina; Austria; Brazil; Bolivia; Cambodia; Canada; China; Cyprus; France; Greece; Indonesia; India; Japan; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Mexico; Myanmar; Pakistan; Paraguay; Philippines; Portugal; Rhodesia; South Africa; former Soviet Union; Spain; Sweden; Thailand; Tunisia; Turkey; United Kingdom; United States

Roles

Anti-Tank/Anti-Tank/Anti-Material

Designed to attack and defeat armored/enemy tanks from a distance.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length: 1,371 mm (53.98 inches)

Barrel length: 1,371 mm (53.98 inches)

Cured weight: 13.23 lbs (6.00 kg)

Attractions: Integrated iron sight and optics.

Action

Electric; single; reusable

Cartridges and Feeds

Caliber: 60mm

Circle/Feed: Disposable, reusable tubes

POWER

Maximum efficiency: 328 feet (100m | 109m)

Rate of fire: 5 Number of revolutions

Mile speed: 300 ft/sec (91m/s)

VARIANTS

M1 ("Bazooka") - name of the base series; 2. 36" rocket; solid wood furniture; ambidextrous sun visor; battery powered; M6 HEAT missile carrier; 13.1 lbs; 54.5 inches long; 250 m range; 4-5 turns; 112,790 copies made.

M1A1 - Improved Iron Fist; 2. 36" Missile Carriers (M6A1/M6A3); Improved Simplified Sights; Face/Hand Position Masks on Launchers; Improved Safety; Conical Muzzle Deflectors; Straps; 13.2 lbs; 54.5" length; 250 m range; 4-5 turns; 59,932 copies made. M9 - improved bazooka; 2. 36" missile carrier; two-part "Takedown" variant of airborne elements; longer tube length for increased range and accuracy; magnetic ignition; 15.87 lbs; 61" long; 31.5" stroke 300 yd range; 10 rpm; 26,087 examples produced.

M9A1 - Improved M9 Panzerfaust variant; barrel clutch redesign; same physical and performance characteristics as M9.

M18 - reduced weight aluminum body; 2.36" - Rocket carrier; 10.3 lbs; 60.5" length; 31.5" travel; 300 yd range; 10 turns; 500 copies made.

M20 ("Super Bazooka") - postwar rocket-propelled grenade; adopted in 1952; 3. 5" missile carrier; redesigned launcher body; single-position shoulder rest; single-action safety; harness; tapered muzzle and platoon Gas hood; glued optics. Simplified overall design.

M20A1B1 - M20B1 and M20A1 upgrade M25 - three-shot launcher mounted on a heavy duty tripod.