Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: OntosMk1 on March 11, 2003, 04:56:29 PM

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: OntosMk1 on March 11, 2003, 04:56:29 PM

Semper Fi :D

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: Nilsen on March 11, 2003, 05:46:00 PM

its american...

used in vietnam...

anti-tank gv..

dont remember more :D

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: 99Blomup on March 11, 2003, 09:04:45 PM

I know...Its called M-UGLY

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: Fridaddy on March 11, 2003, 09:32:57 PM

Your name is a dead givaway.........


 M50 S.P.A.T "Ontos"

Greek for "the thing"

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: john9001 on March 12, 2003, 10:16:00 AM

it had six 105 mm recoiless rifles and was fast

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: OntosMk1 on March 14, 2003, 03:20:15 PM

:D :D :D  Yes Fridaddy my name was the give away:D :D :D

Its the M-50 "Ontos"

 During the 1950's, a proliferation of tanks and armor by Russia fueled the "Cold War" and had the U.S. Marines seeking a mobile tank destroyer. The M-50 "Ontos" was developed in 1951, with the first prototype constructed in 1953. The "Ontos" was a small self-propelled tracked vehicle with (6) 106mm recoilless rifles mounted in an unusual array on its exterior. Powered by a 185 hp gasoline engine the "Ontos" had a operating range of 150 miles with a maximum speed of 30 mph. Construction of (300) of these tank destroyers were completed by Allis Chambers Corporation by 1957. The U.S. Marines did utilized the "Ontos in the Dominican Republic in 1963 and the early phases of the Vietnam War. The "Ontos" was quickly obsolete as the anti-tank TOW missile was devised in the early 1960's.

 In operation the driver positioned the vehicle and the gunner would manually aim the 106mm recoilless rifles. The turret mount could be adjusted 40 degrees left or right, or with 20 degrees angle in elevation. Aiming was assisted by a .50 caliber spotting rifle. The gunner would fire the spotting rifle and adjust for effect, firing one or more 106mm rounds simultaneously. The "Ontos" carried (18), 106mm High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) projectiles, they had an effective range of 1,200 yards or a maximum range of 7,600 yards. In addition, a .30 caliber machine gun was mounted on the turret for protection.

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: Bluefish on March 14, 2003, 03:40:29 PM

Does anyone know if that thing (no pun intended) ever actually destroyed an enemy tank in combat?

Title: Name this GV...
Post by: OntosMk1 on March 17, 2003, 05:13:56 PM

Most M-50s were used as static defence but there were a handfull that claimed actual "tank" kills. I think there were a couple of PT-76s and maybe a T-55 during the Tet Offensive.
But most of the M-50s were used as a bunker buster or SP gun.

 The main reason the Marines dropped it was that the armor could be penetrated by 12.7mm fire and was VERY vulnerable to landmines and RPGs:eek: