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The Gizmo.

By The Armorer on July 22, 2006 | | Comments (10)

Okay - here it is in it's entirety.

Field Artillery Trainer Mk3

It's a Trainer, Field Artillery, Mk3.

A pneumatic job, used during WWII.

On top - a "pantel" or panoramic telescope, which is used by the gunner to orient the tube for direction. Various adjustments to level the device, train it left or right, and to set elevation.

And the compressed air system used for launching the projectiles (though I *really* prefer Jim B's take on it). Used on a 1000 inch range, they had special maps and firing tables, and this allowed for training most crew operations except loading, or shifting trails - the big muscle movement bits. You laid the trainer just like a real gun, computed data just like a real gun, adjusted just as a Forward Observer would, etc. But it cost a lot less.

Back when I was a Lieutenant, we used the 14.5mm trainers - small cannons firing custom ammunition, They were way cool and I want one. There are some available, but they're in Israel, dangit. I can't afford the shipping, not to mention the import license.

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10 Comments

By Trias on July 22, 2006 1:17 PM
Great with this you can apply Zsa Zsa's makeup when it slides off during a photop. She will not be amused if you miss and make her hair white.
 
By Neffi on July 22, 2006 1:28 PM
Nice, *um* cobwebs, dude... tsk.
 
By John of Argghhh! on July 22, 2006 1:32 PM
You shoulda seen 'em *before* I cleaned up. The thing had apparently been stored in a barn in Montana for a while after being surplused out of Fort Snelling. It took hours to clean it to that state. I half expected to see Shelob.
 
By AFSister on July 22, 2006 1:37 PM
I still think it's a trident, mounted on a block, and hooked up to a firefighter's hose. It's The Armorer's version of a Super Soaker.
 
By Pogue on July 22, 2006 2:20 PM
The only 14.5 trainer we ever played with was the subcaliber version that fitted in the chamber of an M109 (although I'm sure they would have worked with the 198.) We hated them. We never had any FDC involvement with them so it ended up being direct fire at cactus. Borrrrrrring! The tripod mounted version looks like it would be a lot of fun in the backyard, though...
 
By Beth on July 23, 2006 6:29 AM
Neffi, If I let John spend all his time cleaning his toys that completely fill up our basement, I'd never see him, he'd lose his job, we'd go broke, and we would have to sell all the toys.
 
By Trias on July 23, 2006 7:58 AM
Now you're going to make him paranoid about loosing his toys. I know a guy like that in the country runs a tourism business I call the excuse for collecting about 4 sheds (we're talking big enough to fit tens of tanks in) worth of old junk. I mean historical wonders. Think yourself lucky Beth and don't ever let him get a big shed or there will be tanks in it. And artillery. An aircraft carrier if he could get away with it.
 
By John of Argghhh! on July 23, 2006 8:10 AM
Heheheheheheheheheh. Take a look at the "Kewl Beans" post... And besides, it worked for Jacques Littlefield didn't it?
 
By John of Argghhh! on July 23, 2006 8:12 AM
Oh - Trias, would that be Rod Bellars? And Pogue - sounds like your guys never got around to setting up the 1000 inch range. I hope the cacti weren't saguaro (sp?) or if they were, the statute of limitations has passed!
 
By MajMike on July 24, 2006 10:25 AM
how cute! you redlegs always get the most darling little toys to play with...