Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-284-35P) for "Davy Crockett" XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems Fire Control Materiel January 1961
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-284-35P) for XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems Fire-Control Materiel – January 1961
Item Overview
This January 1961 U.S. Army technical manual is the field and depot maintenance repair-parts and special-tools publication 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 helped maintenance personnel identify and order parts for the sights, mounts, lights, and bore-sighting equipment used with both weapons.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a sight unit, weapon, mount, projectile, launcher, tool, or replacement part.
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 for aiming errors.
The light and heavy weapons shared several instruments, but some 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
- XM121 Telescope Carrying Case
- Related optical and mechanical components
- Special maintenance tools
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 lightweight 120mm system with a planned maximum 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. Because the projectile was unguided after launch, correct sight alignment was an important part of preparing the weapon.
Published in January 1961, this manual dates from the development and early fielding period. The Davy Crockett remained in the U.S. inventory through the 1960s before newer tactical missile systems replaced it.
Manual Contents
TM 9-1240-284-35P helped maintenance personnel identify authorized components and equipment. Its contents include:
- Major fire-control assemblies
- Optical and mechanical components
- Elbow-telescope parts
- Telescope-mount and holder parts
- Instrument-light components
- Breech and muzzle bore-sight parts
- Carrying and storage equipment
- Exploded assembly illustrations
- Part-number and stock-number references
- Quantity and application information
- Special tools and maintenance equipment
- Numerical parts indexes
The illustrated-parts format is also useful for identifying incomplete or disassembled Davy Crockett fire-control equipment.
Identification
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-284-35P
- Publication date: January 1961
- Covered systems: XM28 and XM29 Battle Group Weapon Systems
- Later designations: M28 and M29 Davy Crockett
- Manual type: Field and depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list
- Equipment category: Optical sighting and fire-control materiel
- Light system: XM28, 120mm
- Heavy system: XM29, 155mm
- Primary fire-control telescope: XM107 Elbow Telescope
- Telescope mount: XM117
- Instrument light: XM53
Collector and Research Value
This manual documents the parts used in one of America’s most unusual 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
- Fire-control component identification
- Cold War atomic-artillery displays
- Military-optics collections
- Museum and technical-library collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .2lbs.
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