This is a Scale Model Kit, Paint and Glue are not included.
The M65 Atomic Cannon, often called Atomic Annie, was a towed artillery piece built by the United States and capable of firing a nuclear device. It was developed in the early 1950s, at the beginning of the Cold War, and fielded by 1953 in Europe and Korea.
The cannon was transported by two specially designed tractors, both capable of independent steering in the manner of some extra-long fire engines. Each of the tractors was rated at 375 hp, and the somewhat awkward combination could achieve speeds of 35 miles an hour and negotiate right angle turns on 28 ft wide, paved or packed roads. The artillery piece could be unlimbered in 15 minutes, then returned to traveling configuration in another 15 minutes.
On May 25, 1953 at 8:30am, the Atomic Cannon was tested at Nevada Test Site (specifically Frenchman Flat) as part of the Upshot-Knothole series of nuclear tests. The test — codenamed Grable — was attended by then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Arthur W. Radford and Secretary of Defense Charles Erwin Wilson; it resulted in the successful detonation of a 15 kt shell (W9 warhead) at a range of 7 miles. This was the first and only nuclear shell to be fired from a cannon (the Little Feller 1 test shot of an M388 used a Davy Crockett Weapon System which was a recoilless smooth bore gun firing the warhead mounted on the end of a spigot inserted in the barrel of the weapon.)
Item No 63522
Item Name M65 280mm Atomic Cannon Atomic Annie
Bar Code 9580208635224
Scale 1:35
Item Type Plastic Model Armor Kit
Model Brief Length: 738.9mm Width: 101.2mm
Total Parts 1000+
Metal Parts n/a
Photo Etched Parts 2 pcs
Film Parts n/a
Resin Parts n/a
Total Sprues 18 sprues , cab and tires
Released Date 2019-10
More Features > Detailed multi-directional slide-molded cab.
> Full drive train assembly complete with engine transmission, differential housing and suspension units.
> The main tires are hollow rubber with very good tread pattern included as well as sidewall det
The M65 Atomic Annie is an American 280mm mobile field gun capable of firing tactical nuclear warheads. Its first prototypes were built in 1949, and this unusual weapon entered the line in 1952. In total, 20 guns of this type were created. Watervliet Arsenal and Watertown Arsenal were responsible for their production. The maximum range of the gun was about 30,000 meters.
The first analytical work towards a cannon capable of firing missiles with small nuclear warheads began in the USA in 1944-1945. However, it was only in 1949 that the progressive miniaturization of nuclear warheads made it possible to implement such an idea. The design of the M65 Atomic Annie was based on the German K5 railroad gun, but the new gun was to be mounted on a wheeled platform, which significantly increased the mobility of this weapon system. Finally, the M65 turned out to be a gun with a considerable range and high reliability, but due to its large size it was easy to detect and destroy. The M65 Atomic Annie was deployed primarily in Germany, where it served until the early 1960s. At present, 8 of these weapons are on display in museums.
