Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-284-35) for "Davy Crockett" XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems Fire Control Materiel February 1961
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-284-35) for XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems Fire-Control Materiel – February 1961
Item Overview
This February 1961 U.S. Army technical manual provides field and depot maintenance instructions for the fire-control equipment used with the XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems.
The XM28 and XM29 were the light and heavy versions of the Cold War Davy Crockett weapon system. This manual covers the optical sights, mounts, adapters, lights, and bore-sighting equipment used to aim and maintain these experimental weapons.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a sight unit, weapon, mount, projectile, launcher, or other equipment.
Purpose of the Fire-Control Equipment
The XM28 and XM29 could be used for direct or indirect fire. Their fire-control equipment allowed crews to set direction and elevation, align the sight with the weapon, and check the system for aiming errors.
The light and heavy weapons used many of the same basic instruments. Some mounts, holders, bore sights, and firing scales differed between the two systems.
Covered equipment included:
- XM107 Elbow Telescope
- XM117 Telescope Mount
- XM5 and XM6 Telescope Mount Holders
- XM53 Instrument Light
- XM47 and XM51 Breech Bore Sights
- XM48, XM50, and XM52 Muzzle Bore Sights
- Telescope carrying equipment
- Related optical and mechanical components
The fire-control materiel was part of the weapon’s aiming system. It was not installed inside the projectile.
Historical Background
The Davy Crockett was developed during the late 1950s to give infantry and armored battle groups a mobile tactical atomic capability. The system used a recoilless, spigot-type launcher to fire the M388 projectile.
The XM28 was the lighter 120mm system with a maximum planned range of about 2,000 meters. The XM29 was the heavier 155mm system with a range of about 4,000 meters. Both could be carried by vehicles and fired from ground mounts.
The XM28 and XM29 were later standardized as the M28 and M29 Davy Crockett weapon systems. Their unusual mission required careful alignment because the projectile was unguided after launch.
Published in February 1961, this manual dates from the development and early fielding period. The Davy Crockett entered service during the height of the Cold War and remained in the U.S. inventory through the 1960s.
Manual Contents
TM 9-1240-284-35 covers advanced maintenance of the system’s sighting and alignment equipment. Subjects include:
- Description and operating principles
- Inspection and troubleshooting
- Disassembly and reassembly
- Cleaning and repair procedures
- Elbow-telescope maintenance
- Telescope-mount and holder maintenance
- Instrument-light maintenance
- Bore-sight inspection and repair
- Optical alignment and calibration
- Final inspection and performance testing
- Required field and depot maintenance tools
These procedures were written for trained maintenance personnel responsible for keeping the fire-control instruments accurate and serviceable.
Identification
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-284-35
- Publication date: February 1961
- Covered systems: XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems
- Later designations: M28 and M29 Davy Crockett
- Manual type: Field and depot maintenance
- Equipment category: Optical sighting and fire-control materiel
- Primary fire-control telescope: XM107 Elbow Telescope
- Telescope mount: XM117
- Instrument light: XM53
Collector and Research Value
This manual documents specialized fire-control equipment from one of the most unusual U.S. Cold War weapon programs. It is a valuable reference for Davy Crockett research, optical-equipment identification, museum exhibits, and restoration projects.
Ideal For
- Davy Crockett weapon-system collections
- XM28 and XM29 restoration research
- Cold War atomic-artillery displays
- Military-optics collections
- Museum and educational exhibits
- Army technical-library collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .25", Approx weight .5lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times