Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1290-241-35P for M16A1E1 Antiaircraft Gun Local Control System, December 1967
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers field-and-depot maintenance repair parts and special tools for the M16A1E1 Antiaircraft Gun Local Control System, FSN 1290-766-5876. Published in December 1967, TM 9-1290-241-35P supported the powered gun-control equipment used on the twin 40mm M42 and M42A1 Duster. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a control system, sight, gun, vehicle, tool, or other equipment.
Publication Details
This parts manual was prepared for military supply and maintenance personnel responsible for supporting the M16A1E1 system.
- Manual number: TM 9-1290-241-35P
- Publication date: December 1967
- Equipment: M16A1E1 Antiaircraft Gun Local Control System
- Federal Stock Number: 1290-766-5876
- Manual type: Field-and-depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list
- Primary application: Twin 40mm M42 and M42A1 Duster
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
The “35P” suffix identifies this as a higher-level parts publication rather than a crew operating manual. It was used to identify replacement components, assemblies, special tools, and support equipment required for field and depot maintenance. Publications of this type normally include exploded illustrations, reference numbers, part numbers, stock numbers, quantities, and maintenance codes.
About the M16A1E1 Local Control System
The M16A1E1 allowed the M42 Duster crew to control the direction and speed of the twin 40mm gun mount. Electrical signals from the drive controller operated electric motors and hydraulic pumps. Hydraulic motors, known as oil gears, then moved the guns in elevation and rotated the mount in azimuth. The M16A1E1 designation in this manual refers to an antiaircraft gun-control system and is not related to the M16 rifle.
System Components and Operation
The complete installation worked with equipment such as the M12E2 drive controller, M10A1E1 wiring set, inverter, distribution box, slip-ring box, oil gears, and related electrical controls. In local operation, commands came from the controls inside the vehicle. Equipped vehicles could also accept commands from a remote fire-control director through connectors at the rear of the hull. The M38 computing sight helped the crew estimate target movement and apply the proper lead for the guns.
M42 Duster Weapon-System History
The M42 Duster was developed in the early 1950s to replace the M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage. It combined a modified twin-gun installation with a chassis based on the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank. The vehicle’s two automatic 40mm M2A1 Bofors guns gave Army air-defense units a mobile weapon for engaging low-flying aircraft. The powered M16A1E1 control system helped the crew move the heavy gun mount quickly in both elevation and azimuth.
History of Use
The M42 entered Army service in 1953. Many Dusters later moved to National Guard units as guided missiles became more important for air defense. The Army returned M42A1 vehicles to active combat service during the Vietnam War beginning in 1966. Because enemy aircraft rarely attacked American ground forces, Duster crews used their twin 40mm guns mainly for convoy escort, perimeter defense, base protection, and direct fire against ground targets. The December 1967 date places this manual during that renewed period of heavy operational use.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1290-241-35P is a specialized reference for studying the powered controls used to aim the M42 Duster’s twin 40mm guns. It can help identify system components, stock numbers, assemblies, and maintenance relationships. The manual is valuable for M42 restoration projects, Bofors gun research, Cold War air-defense collections, and displays covering armored vehicles used during the Vietnam War.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, or other signs of age and storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This manual is well suited for collections, research projects, and exhibits covering self-propelled antiaircraft weapons and military fire-control equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M42 and M42A1 Duster restoration
- M16A1E1 control-system research
- Twin 40mm Bofors gun displays
- Vietnam War armored-vehicle exhibits
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .6", Approx weight 1.5lbs.
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.