For today, 7 December 2006, Olds helped out 65+ years ago. "Mounted centerline on the bow of PT658 is the 37MM Oldsmobile M4 Automatic Cannon. Originally cannibalized from crashed P39 Airacobra fighter planes, these cannons were found to be very effective when used in an anti-supply barge missions on the PT Boats. Fitted with a 30 round magazine, and delivering 180 rounds per minute with a max effective range of 9000 yards, these guns were a favorite of many PT Boat crews. It only took a few hits on most barges with the 37MM cannon to sink it."
"The Oldsmobile (Yes, another GM company doing it's bit for the war effort) M4 37mm automatic cannon was used first in the start of the P 38 production then later for the P 39 Aircobra. That was where the original crews got theirs from. The 37mm was considered an antitank gun at the outset of the war. When the PT's started engaging Japanese barges and small boats in the Pacific, they were looking for something with a little more punch. It had an effective range and was capable of going through thinner armor plate. The European campaign also saw it in use against the German and Italian small boats and F lighters, although a wooden boat attacking an armor plated F lighter was not too smart, it did happen on occassion to the dismay of both sides." "The 'Heavy One Pounder' was the USN's equivalent of the RN's 1½ Pdr described below; an effort to produce a more powerful cartridge for the Maxim light cannon. The weapon rapidly disappeared into history, but the cartridge re-emerged as the basis for a new round (a bit longer and more powerful) developed by Browning for one of his own cannon designs. This was developed by Oldsmobile as the T9 and adopted by the USAAF as the M4. It was mainly used in P-39 Airacobra." Milton Schick 1964 442 Cutlass [EMAIL PROTECTED]
