Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The M2A1-2 flamethrower was an improved variant of the M2 flamethrower developed during the Korean War. The M2 was originally created in 1944 to replace the unreliable M1 flamethrower, and saw heavy use clearing fortifications in the Pacific theater of World War II. The M2A1-2 featured a redesigned straight-sided backpack frame for better weight distribution, vented gas caps to prevent overpressure, and improved controls including a cylinder-sized regulator and safety valve. These enhancements made the rugged and effective M2 design even more field ready while retaining its constant pressure regulator for consistent range. The M2A1-2 remained the standard American flamethrower through Korea, before eventually being replaced by the M9A1-7 in Vietnam. With its simple operation and excellent balance of portability and range, the M2A1-2 represents the pinnacle of man-portable flamethrower development, despite the controversial nature of flame weapons.
“Originally designed in 1943, the M2 flamethrower variant was used extensively in the Pacific Theater in World War II. This example, an M2A1 variant, was the Korean War era successor to the M2, with improvements to the valves, regulators, and capacity. This example is fitted with the M2-2 style “hourglass” shaped backpack frame. These weapons were used extensively Operation Commando to dislodge North Korean/Chinese forces from heavily fortified positions in October of 1951. The wand of this example was manufactured by Chemical Corps U.S.A. and has the standard markings on the brass tag mounted on the front right as well as the lot number “RED.418/9/54”. Two sections of hose are included. The backpack unit has the previously stated “hourglass” frame with canvas back pad, two fuel tanks with round vented fuel caps, and a central pressure tank.”
Lot 1491: Korean War Era U.S. M2A1-2 Flamethrower. (n.d.-a). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved February 8, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/86/1491/korean-war-era-us-m2a12-flamethrower.
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