M115 8in Howitzer - AFV Club's No. AF 35S06 released in 2000
In order to achieve firepower equivalent to a Division, the U.S. army had been refining their M1918 155mm cannon's design since the 1920s, including using the same main frame for both the 155mm and 203mm cannon, Although fields testing of these cannons were outstanding the projects were terminated due to lack of funds.

It was until 1941 when the M-2 tube mounted on an M-1 main frame 203mm howitzer was accepted by the U.S. Army into service, and was used mainly by the artillery divisions. Their main objectives were to destroy enemy's strongholds, trnasportation routes, bunkers and bridges. By 1945 a total of 1,006 howitzers were produced.

Throughout WWII the M-2 203mm howitzers were outstanding in performance and were used in famous battles throughout the Italian campaign as well as the Pacific War. After WWII, the U.S. Army reorganized their equipment structure and renamed the M-2 to M-115.

During the Korean War the M-115 was the biggest howitzer on the ground and later was even converted to carry the M-422 Nuclear warhead. In 1958 during the outbreak of the Chinese civil war, the U.S. supplied M-115 and the M-55 self-propelled guns again showed their might and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.

M-115 Specifications
Length : 10.97 m
Width : 2.51 m
Height : 2.74 m
Weight : 28,000 lb
Muzzle Velocity : 1,950 f/s
Range : 18,510 yd. max

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