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Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

M20 (Super Bazooka)


Shoulder-Fired Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher [ 1944 ]



The M20 Super Bazooka was the ultimate incarnation of the M1 design that appeared during the fighting of World War 2.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/10/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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The American M20 "Super Bazooka" was the pinnacle of design regarding the classic World War 2-era M1 "Bazooka" line. In its original form debuting in late-1942, the portable, shoulder-fired weapon fired a 2.36" rocket projectile capable of defeating armor 3" (76mm) thick at range. The Germans appreciated the type that it designed its "Panzerschreck" tank-killer based on what it saw in captured examples of this American weapon following the Operation Torch Allied landings in North Africa. The M20 followed the M9 which added its own improvements to the line including a new trigger ignition method, two-piece take-down design, and better penetration values.

The new and improved M20 was brought online in late-1944 but did not see a bulk of its combat service until the Korean War (1950-1953).

The M20 was a beefier weapon, its caliber increased to 3.5" (88.9mm) bringing it more in line with the German wartime Panzerschreck weapon which fired an 88mm projectile. The system could now hope to defeat up to 11 inches (280mm) of armor protection which gave it a better showing against the new generation of Soviet tanks taking center stage. Furthermore, range was increased some by 150 meters, giving the weapon a better reach across the battlefield.

With the introduction of the M20A1 in 1952, the weapon now featured a new connector latch assembly and was more or less an improved form of the original M20 production model. The M20B1 was a lighter-weight model as its tubes were completed in cast aluminum. Internally, its system was simplified for the better which both eased production and reduced costs. The M20A1B1 designated was used to mark M20B1 models upgraded with the M20A1 model revisions.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1944

Origin
United States national flag graphic
United States

Classification


Shoulder-Fired Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher


Conductron Corporation - USA
(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of the United States United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Anti-Armor / Anti-Tank / Anti-Material
Designed to engage and defeat armor / enemy tanks at range.


Action


Magneto Trigger

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)


Caliber(s)*


88.9mm

Sample Visuals**


Graphical image of a shoulder-fired rocket projectile
Rounds / Feed


Single-Shot; Reusable.
Cartridge relative size chart
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
Max Eff.Range
1,800 ft
(549 m | 600 yd)
Rate-of-Fire
2
rds/min


M20 "Super Bazooka" - Base Series Designation; initial production models; increased caliber; extended range; increased warhead penetration to 11"; service entry post-World War 2, pre-Korean War.
M20A1 - Improved production model with revised connector latch assembly; model of 1952.
M20B1 - Reduced weight via cast aluminum tube; simplified internal workings.
M20A1B1 - M20B1 production models with M20A1 improvements.


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