Superguns 1854–1991

Extreme artillery from the Paris Gun and the V-3 to Iraq's Project Babylon

Superguns 1854–1991 cover

Superguns 1854–1991

Extreme artillery from the Paris Gun and the V-3 to Iraq's Project Babylon

Description

Ever since the mid-19th Century, national militaries have sought to create monster artillery pieces, designed to shatter armies, cities, and fortresses and their morale. Starting with William Armstrong's "Monster Gun" Superguns will then take a look at the Wilhelm Gun that bombarded Paris in World War I, and World War II designs, and the Dora and Arrow guns, including the so-called V-3 London Gun.

During the Cold War both the Americans and Soviets attempted to construct nuclear artillery pieces including the Oka/Kondensator, and the Atomic Cannon. These guns then entered the Space Age, with Dr Gerard Bull's HARP gun and its descendants, including most famously Saddam Hussein's 1m-calibre "Supergun"--Project Babylon. Modern superguns featured also include current efforts at very-long-range magnetic rail-guns, capable of firing shells at seven times the speed of sound.

Using detailed commissioned artwork and contemporary photographs, this fascinating study will examine history's great behemoths that have sought to terrorize armies and civilians for one and a half centuries.

Table of Contents

Introduction /The 19th Century: William Armstrong's 'Monster Guns' /World War I: The Paris Gun /World War II German Superguns: Dora and the V-3 /Cold War Superguns: US Atomic Cannon and Soviet Oka and Kondensator /Gerard Bull's Superguns: HARP and Project Babylon /Current Developments /Bibliography /Index

Product details

Published Dec 18 2018
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472826107
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 265
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Steven J. Zaloga

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from U…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives i…

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