Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1290-325-35P for M36 Radar Chronograph Set W/E, January 1969
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual is the direct support, general support, and depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list for the M36 Radar Chronograph Set W/E, FSN 1290-861-7105. Issued in January 1969, it helped maintenance and supply personnel identify parts required to support this portable artillery-calibration instrument. “W/E” means “with equipment.” This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an M36 radar chronograph, weapon, radar equipment, replacement parts, tools, or accessories.
Publication Details
This illustrated parts publication supported maintenance beyond the operator and organizational levels.
- Manual number: TM 9-1290-325-35P
- Publication date: January 1969
- Subject: M36 Radar Chronograph Set W/E
- Federal Stock Number: 1290-861-7105
- Later National Stock Number: 1290-00-861-7105
- Manual type: Repair parts and special tools list
- Maintenance levels: Direct support, general support, and depot
- Superseded edition: TM 9-1290-325-35P dated May 15, 1968
- 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 repair-parts publication rather than an operating or repair-instruction manual. It was designed to help personnel locate authorized replacement parts, special tools, and support equipment for the M36 set. Manuals of this type commonly arrange parts by functional group and use illustrations, item numbers, Federal Stock Numbers, and reference numbers to support identification and ordering.
About the M36 Radar Chronograph
The M36 was a portable continuous-wave Doppler radar system used to measure projectile velocity. It transmitted a radar signal toward a moving projectile and detected the change in frequency when the signal reflected from it. Electronic circuits converted this Doppler shift into a velocity reading displayed in meters per second. The M36 could measure projectile velocities from approximately 75 to 1,860 meters per second and could operate during the day or at night.
Development History
The M36 was developed during the 1960s as the Army sought a faster and more portable way to measure artillery projectile velocity. Confirmatory testing took place at Aberdeen Proving Ground from September 1966 through August 1967. The sets underwent laboratory, environmental, and firing-accuracy tests. Testing identified problems in parts of the digital-display electronics and led to recommended equipment corrections and documentation updates. The January 1969 parts manual reflects this period of continued improvement and field support.
Artillery Calibration System
The M36 was not a weapon and was not limited to one gun model or caliber. It was artillery test and fire-control equipment used to check the velocity produced by a weapon and its ammunition. The portable set could be placed on a ground or vehicle mount beside the weapon and aimed parallel to the gun tube. Unlike older systems that required optical screens along the projectile’s path, the M36 could measure velocity by radar while normal firing was being conducted.
History of Use
M36 sets were assigned to field-artillery organizations for weapon calibration. Accurate velocity data mattered because changes between weapons, ammunition, and firing conditions could affect projectile range. The readings helped artillery personnel determine muzzle-velocity variations and improve firing data. The January 1969 date places this manual during the Vietnam era, when mobile artillery units depended on accurate calibration and reliable maintenance support. The military specification for the M36 remained active until it was canceled in 1988.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1290-325-35P is a specialized reference for studying Cold War radar, artillery calibration, Doppler velocity measurement, and Army supply procedures. Its parts information may also help museums and restorers identify surviving M36 equipment and accessories. The manual is especially useful when paired with the separate operator, organizational, or higher-level maintenance publications for the M36.
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, restoration work, and displays covering military radar and artillery technology.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M36 radar chronograph research
- Cold War artillery displays
- Vietnam-era fire-control collections
- Doppler radar history research
- Museum and archival reference collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .35", Approx weight .6lbs.
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.
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