M56 Scorpion: Airborne Anti-Tank Gun of the Vietnam War

The M56 Scorpion is a self-propelled anti-tank gun developed in the 1950s. Designed for the airborne forces, it features a 90mm M54 gun and a crew of four. Although lacking protection and not amphibious, it was notable for its mobility and firepower. Today, it is primarily used in War Thunder as a fast and sneaky option to shoot and scoot in video game scenarios.
www.nmmv.org/

[@dustinsmiley5304]

This is one of the first major restoration’s to come out of the museums restoration facility.

[@BjarneLinetsky]

The Sheridan tank was one of the first to use special alloy aluminum armor. The main gun was more suited to rocket propelled rounds. It was specitically designed to be air transportable. Some of them participated in the first Gulf War, when the USA was building up its forces; they were some of the first fighting vehicles in that theatre

[@dw7094]

In Vietnam, the CAV used the M551 Sheridan which fired the 175mm Shillelagh Missile.

[@lancegauthier489]

⁠152mm

[@theltlexay]

Another Scorpion from the Vietnam War was the Australian M113A1 MRV Scorpion, mounting the 76mm turret from the British FV101 Scorpion light tank.

[@farmerned6]

If the Brit Scorpion wasn't introduced until 1973, how did the Aussies get a turret to fit to serve in Vietnam? they quit Vietnam in 1972?

[@theltlexay]

@ both the saracen and scorpion turreted M113s MRVs were referred to as Scorpions in service. The Scorpion was first prototyped in 1967 and was tested in Aus in 1970. Hence the name stuck for both variants.

[@radiomanhans]

i love the m56! such a nice looking vehicle

[@akulkis]

As described, I wouldn't want to be a crewmember on one.

[@guylelanglois6642]

Can't wait to come back with the rest of my grandkids. Most awesome display of American vehicles in the world, in my humble opinion. Thanks again for your hospitality.

[@MadMattH]

Have you seen the USAF Museum? It's chock full of awesome vehicles.

[@wraeth7]

Only ever saw action with the D/16th Cavalry of the 173d. The 16th Cavalry is currently assigned to the Armor School at Ft Moore, GA. The National Armor and Cavalry Museum at Ft. Moore also has an M56, although it is missing a track and is unrestored.

[@lynnwood7205]

The National Guard unit, or perhaps Army Reserve stored one of these in a huge contractor's warehouse next to a creek going through a marshy spot of gravel bars by my boyhood home. The unit would take it out and drive over the area doing all manner of equipment drills . It was exciting stuff to a small boy in 1960, even better, the scorpion was almost kid sized. Later in 1970 In Vietnam encountered a Sheridan, it was not a tank but rather a tracked vehicle which carried a 152mm cannon capable of firing a rocket round besides a selection of standard shells. The hull was of styrofoam filled aluminum sheet which quite often was sliced through by the fence stakes when negotiating concertina razor wire.

[@lawrencehubbard2985]

I think of this as a conclusion of the M18 with a larger gun capable of direct/indirect fire and airborne. The 152 gun/missal launcher was a failure.

[@alanhelton]

As a much more recently member of The Heard, it warmed my cockles to know we used this awesome piece of kit to effect during Nam.

[@garyslayton8340]

They have a pretty good condition survivor at the oaklahomla national gaurd musuem in tulsa

[@rileymannion5301]

Rides like a caddy

[@johnjones_1501]

There is one in excellent condition, on display outside the VFW Post in Duluth, Georgia.

[@MadMattH]

There is also one in Armco park in Ashland, KY. It can be seen from the main road. But if you go to go in the park entrance, across the road is an old-style drive in burger place. They make their own ice cream and it's great.

[@Tagawichin]

There is both a Scorpion and a Sheridan at the 82 Airborne museum on Ft. Bragg.

[@raidshadowlegendenjoyer3071]

My grandpa saw this in action in the Korean was and he said that it was so light when it fired it moved back

[@wraeth7]

This was not in service until years after the Korean War ended. It only saw service in the early years of Vietnam.

[@raidshadowlegendenjoyer3071]

@ well it was tested in Korea after the war and then it was given to airborne troops

[@DonMeaker]

The major flaw of the M-18 was no top armor. Cadillac-Gage: Hold my beer!

[@marksnyder8022]

When the Sheridan is the choice for its SUPERIOR ARMOR 😧

[@geoffreylee5199]

The engines were used in late 1960s cars.

[@TerrenceThorn]

Pretty little machine ! The answer to a question that was never asked. - Did it win the war in Vietnam or even help ? Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.

[@richardross7219]

The M551s were not well protected. RPGs blew them to pieces.

[@guyintenn]

He said better protected, not well protected.

[@BjarneLinetsky]

Anti tank gunnery is literally a "do or die" activity. Small, precision guided munitions are a far better choice.

[@Makskapibara1]

basically an american ASU-57

[@hillbilly4895]

go all the way to Wyoming and they won't let you touch it

[@MadMattH]

There is one in Armco park in Ashland, KY. It's out in the open, so it's pretty weathered, but you are free to climb all over it.

[@victorfinberg8595]

give me an ONTOS any day

[@frankedgar6694]

Wouldn’t the recoil of the gun result in cumulative brain injury? It seems like you’d eventually not fire it unless it was absolutely necessary.

[@gizeh77]

Looks like a stug but send on a diet😂

[@radekgames7584]

I Heate this thing aspecialy in games as War Thunder :/

[@q9920867]

My worst ever purchase in WOT!

[@michaeldalto2862]

Doo Boys ? WTF

[@garymathena2125]

The 551 was a piece of crap, with an ineffective gun.

[@artificer845]

Stating it is delf propelled insinuates that there exists a tank that is *not* self propelled. The army is so fn stupid sometimes.

[@kixigvak]

It's not a tank, it's a gun.

[@artificer845]

@kixigvak nvm. I ... i am a stupid. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@wraeth7]

Its not a tank, its a self-propelled gun. As opposed to a nonself-propelled gun, which would either be a static or towed artillery gun.

[@forevaralon6047]

rat 🐀