Newport News, Virginia: Atomic Cannon: Prototype or No. 1?

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Virginia War Museum

Address:: 9285 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA
Directions:: On the grounds of the Virginia War Museum. I-64 exit 263. Drive south on US-258 for 3.5 miles. Exit right onto US-60 toward Ft, Eustis. Immediately turn left at the first stoplight onto Hornet Circle, then a quick right into the parking lot. You'll see cannon in the park, up along the south side of US-60.
Hours:: Museum M-Sa 9-4:30, Su 1-4:30 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 757-247-8523
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Atomic Cannon.

Atomic Cannon: Prototype or No. 1?

20 Atomic Cannons were made. Is this the first one, or just a non-atomic prototype?

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [06/28/2020]

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Atomic Cannon.

Virginia War Museum: Atomic Cannon

This was the original prototype for the Atomic Cannon, of which around 20 were eventually built. It was completed in early 1953. The idea was that it could fire a nuclear warhead far enough that it wouldn't kill the gunnery crew. Apparently the designers got a case of Nuclear Jitters, because all subsequent Atomic Cannons were slightly larger.

[Pete Norloff, 08/13/2019]