The M9 flamethrower, officially designated: Flame Thrower, Portable, M9-7, was an American man-portable flamethrower that essentially replaced the earlier M2 flamethrower variants. The set consisted of the M9 backpack, the M8 quick-connect hose, and the newer M7 gun group. The M9-7 solved many of the problems associated with the M1 and M2 variants by reducing the overall mass and featuring a shorter gun group.[1] It was the last flamethrower in U.S. service and was replaced with the M202 FLASH rocket-based incendiary system.
| M9 Flamethrower | |
|---|---|
 M9 Flamethrower being used in Da Nang, Vietnam. | |
| Type | Flamethrower |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1960–1978 |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | U.S. Chemical Corps |
| Designed | 1959–60 |
| No. built | Unknown |
| Variants | M9-7, M9E1-7 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 25 lb (11.3 kg) empty 52 lb (23.6 kg) filled |
| Width | 20 in (51 cm) |
| Height | 23+1⁄2 in (60 cm) |
| Diameter | 9 in (23 cm) |
| Crew | 1 |
| Rate of fire | Around 0.7 US gal (2.6 L) a second |
| Effective firing range | 49–60 yd (45–55 m) |
| Maximum firing range | 60 yd (55 m) |
| Feed system | One, 4+1⁄4 US gal (16 L) Napalm/gasoline tank (fuel)[2] One Nitrogen tank (propellant) |
| Sights | None |
The M9 saw service in the Vietnam War and was initially deployed alongside M2A1-7 flamethrowers, but eventually replaced nearly all M2 variants by 1963. Like its predecessors, the M9 effectively fought dug-in enemies since the flames could scorch or asphyxiate them. The flare-based ignition systems of the M2-2 and M7 meant that the flamethrower could function in the harshest conditions. Each flamethrower squad featured at least one soldier with a modified pack frame for carrying up to four pressure tanks. It is unknown how many M9s were manufactured as the Army destroyed most records and equipment to prevent dissemination to the public as surplus gear. The XM202 project was carried out to replace the M9 by the 1980s completely.
M9 Backpack
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After several weight reduction attempts to the original M2 flamethrowers, the U.S. began developing a new and improved flamethrower system. The M9 backpack featured a reduced weight compared to previous U.S. flamethrowers.[3] This was accomplished by adjusting the fuel tank design, using lighter aluminum tanks, and using a spherical pressure tank similar to the British "lifebuoy" pressure tank design.[4] The pack featured an encompassing metal frame to protect the tanks and to allow the operator to use a pseudo backpack to conceal it.[5] Later developments on the system led to the M9E1 backpack with an even more significant weight reduction.
| M1A1 | M2A1 | M8 | M9E1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass (full) | 70 lb (32 kg) | 68 lb (31 kg) | 26+1⁄2 lb (12.0 kg) | 52 lb (24 kg) |
| Capacity | 4+7⁄10 US gal (18 L) | 4 US gal (15 L) | 2 US gal (7.6 L) | 4+1⁄4 US gal (16 L) |
| Range | 47 yd (43 m) | 43 yd (39 m) | 71 yd (65 m) | 60 yd (55 m) |
M7 Gun Group
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Developed before the M9 backpack, the M7 replaced the earlier M2-2 gun group of the M2 flamethrower variants.[6] It was shorter than the M2-2, featured a grip safety for the igniter, and moved the ignition assembly to the sides of the barrel for a more streamlined design. Like its predecessor, the M7 was based on designs from agricultural spray guns to increase effective range without requiring a long barrel by using fins to stabilize the flow.[7][8] The gun group was used both on reconfigured M2A1 backpacks, designated the Flame Thrower, Portable, M2A1-7, and the M9 backpacks. Many M7s were destroyed at the end of the Vietnam War, making them rare. As a result, many refurbished models have the M2-2 installed.
ABC-M9-7
editDuring the production of U.S. flamethrowers, the Army had many repurposed for use as chemical dispersing devices in riot control. The systems were capable of using CS-1, CS-2, and oleoresin capsicum as the riot control agents.[9] The M9 backpack variant was designated: Flame Thrower, Portable, ABC-M9-7.[10]
Experimental U.S. Flamethrowers
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Before developing the M9 flamethrower, the U.S. tested and developed several designs and prototypes, most of which never entered service.
- The Flame Thrower, Auxiliary, M3 entered service as a vehicle-mounted flamethrower, featuring a different ignition system from the man-portable ones.
- The Manifold, Portable Flame Thrower, E4 entered service as World War II ended. It was a manifold line able to connect multiple flamethrower packs and featured an extended E10R1 gun group.[11]
- The M5 was developed based on the single-use flamethrower concepts pioneered by the Germans in World War II.
- The M8 was a prototype flamethrower designed to be fully handheld without needing a pack. It featured a long horseshoe-shaped tank system.[12] An operator training technical manual was written for the M8. However, it did not see mass production.[13]
References
edit- ^ Hobson, Charles S.; McCollum, Ian (9 May 2016). "Flamethrower Q&A with Charlie Hobson". Youtube. Forgotten Weapons.
- ^ TM 3-1040-257-12, Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual, "Flame Thrower, Portable, M9E1-7". Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1968. p. 7.
- ^ TM 3-376A War Department Technical Manual, "Portable Flame Thrower M2-2". War Department. May 16, 1944. p. 10.
- ^ Development of Flame Throwers (manuscript). Chemical Corps Museum, Anniston AL. 1951.
- ^ TM 3-1040-257-12, Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual, "Flame Thrower, Portable, M9E1-7". Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1968. p. 3.
- ^ Development of Flame Throwers (manuscript). Chemical Corps Museum, Anniston AL. 1951.
- ^ Hobson, Charles S. (2010). The Illustrated Manual of U.S. Portable Flamethrowers. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-7643-3525-9.
- ^ Hobson, Charles S.; McCollum, Ian (9 May 2016). "Flamethrower Q&A with Charlie Hobson". Youtube. Forgotten Weapons.
- ^ Flame, Riot Control Agent, and Herbicide Operations. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 2003. p. B-7.
- ^ TM 3-1040-221-12 Operator's and Organizational Maintenance Manual, "Service Kit, Portable Flamethrower-Riot Control Agent Disperser, M27". Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1962. p. 16.
- ^ TM 3-378 Manifold, "Portable Flame Thrower, E4". War Department. March 3, 1945. p. 2.
- ^ Dockery, Kevin. "M8 Single-Shot Flamethrower". Dockery Armory. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ TM 3-1040-200-12 Department of The Army Technical Manual, Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual, "Flame Thrower Portable One-Shot, M8". Washington D.C.: Headquarters, Department of the Army. March 1959.