105-mm M56 towed howitzer

The M56 105-mm howitzer shares some features of the German M18/40 and U.S. M101.

The M56 is mounted on a tubular split trail carriage with a split shield sloping to the sides and the rear. Most guns have pressed alloy wheels with solid rubber tires. Some M56s have been fitted with pneumatic-tired wheels similar to those fitted to the 105-mm M101.

With the pneumatic wheels, the howitzer can be towed at speeds up to 44 mph (70 kph).

Typically, the M56 is equipped with a range...