M77 155 howitzer

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by sapper740
While we're on the question of artillery, whatever happened to our domestic GC-45? I seem to remember back in the day reading about Gerald Bull's ERFB shell which in his reverse-rifled guns could launch a 155mm shell 39km with the same accuracy as the M109 at it's maximum range of 18km. Another case of the Canadian government eating it's young, a la CF 105?

CHIMO!

Derek,

I think you are referring to the SRC guns...as far as I know, the CA Army did not use Bull's guns (maybe Nicolet used them, but I am sure that info is classified), but rather we fired the ERFB from M109s...less than fond memories of doing Safety Officer with a bunch of scientists around the gun...I do recall reaching Gagetown's southern impact areas from the washracks...

I would agree with your sentiments about our past government's shyness to embrace military technology. Bull got screwed, but S. Africa, China and Iraq truly benefited from his technology. Up until we got the triple 7s, we were seriously outranged by potential enemies...

As for reversed rifling - was the rifling on the outside?!?