Identification Required

[peteblight]

Can some one please identify the dispenser attached to this UH-1B?
The info with the picture calls it a "CS gas ejection cannister"

Cheers

Pete

 

[peteblight]

Figured it out!
This is an M3 rocket pod which has been adapted to become a TLSS (Troop Landing Smoke Screen System).
The pods were reversed in their mounts and filled with either M6, M7 or XM54 grenades. Being reversed, allowed the grenades to be delivered along the helicopters flight path.
Once adapted, the pod contained 168 grenades.

 

[US-Subs]

Pete, what is your reference?

 

[weberoed]

I found a referene in a command history of the 101 airborne that described much the same, it also made reference to (but can't confirm) this set up was the XM 27, and the Xm54s were modified M7s wit longer time fuze. But would realy like to confirm the pic

 

[peteblight]

I'll post the references tomorrow as they're at work, but regarding the XM27, it was an SUU-14/A dispenser filled with 72 XM54 grenades. The SUU-14/A was a rearward ejecting dispenser that remained attached to the aircraft. It consisted of a frame supporting 6 x 2.75 inch aluminium tubes. Each tube contained 12 grenades which were loaded with their pins removed.
The optimal operating altitude was 1500 feet based on the fuze delay of the grenades.

 

[peteblight]

The reference comes from the book "Chemical Warfare in the Vietnam" by D.Hank Ellison.

Annex B covers the ordnance and related delivery systems utilised by the US.
Attached to the annex is a reference list of some 17 sources.