Ex-Israeli 155mm Modèle 50 towed howitzer in firing configuration on display in a musuem.
Source: Bukvoed -
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The Obusier 155mm Modèle 1950 is an early Cold War era towed howitzer of French origin. It was developed after World War 2 for both export sales and to replace (pre-)World War 2 era towed howitzers in French service. The Modèle 50 proved to be a rugged and reliable design. Although having an increased range over many World War 2 era designs, from the 1960's onward the Modèle 50 was found to be lacking in range.
The Modèle 50 is a towed howitzer using a four wheel split trail carriage. The wheels are mounted on bogies that are attached to the trails instead of the chassis. In the firing position the front of the Modèle 50 rests on a turntable. The 155mm ordnance is 23 or 28 calibers long, depending on whether the large multi-slotted muzzle brake is excluded or included in the measurement.
The Modèle 50 has an effective range of 17.7 km using French high explosive shells. Using the NATO standard American M107 shell the range drops to 14.8 km. A rocket assisted shell with a 23 km range was also developed, possibly to meet an Israeli request. The Modèle 50 is of a rugged design and can keep up its normal rate of fire of 3 to 4 rpm for
The Modèle 50 is a heavy piece of artillery and needs to be towed by a 6x6 5-ton truck. In French service the Berliet GBU-15 was used. This carried the crew and ammunition. The Modèle 50 doesn't use a limber.
Sweden was the first user of the Modèle 50, using it as the Haubits F. French models were acquired and a subsequent batch was produced in Sweden by Bofors. France use the Modèle 50 in large numbers, some remaining in service well into the 1990's. Israel was the most notable user with the Modèle 50 making up the core of the artillery in both the 1967 and 1973 conflicts. A self-propelled version was developed using extensively modified Sherman tank hulls. Today the Modèle 50 is considered obsolete. Most have been replaced decades ago by self-propelled howitzer, sometimes supplemented by modern towed howitzers with APU.
Sherman tank chassis rebuilt to self-propelled howitzer using the 155m Modèle 50 ordnance. Features a large open roof rear area with the howitzer and a center mounted engine.
In French service the Modèle 50 was replaced by the more capable 155mm TR-F1.
In Swedish service the Modèle 50 was replaced by the 155mm FH-77B.
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