Don,
Because it's no fun going to bed without frustrating yourself first, I thought I'd try a "shift in direction" concerning the French 105mm. Here's what we know during WWII the French were using the USA 105mm M101 and it is well documented they continued it's use through the mid fifties in Indochina, Algeria and beyond. By the the early sixties it has "disappeared". A) So did they buy the USA 105mm M102 that became available ~1963? No. B) We know they went very nationalistic in the early sixties as well, so did they redevelop their own program again? Well I've been unable thus far to uncover any evidence of that, except on an SP platform (AMX MK 61 105mm) which is in the game I believe. C) We have your earlier post in this thread and based off your source puts them still in possession of them until ~1992 I believe it was. D) The below ref. shows that GIAT which was French Government controlled
I believe started developing the LG1 105mm Mk II ~1987 though
only for export.
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product573.html
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/f1_gct.htm
So I believe the we're back to ~1995 or sooner as your book indicated
and that's in line when the AU-F1 GCT 155mm ceased production in 1993. The AU-F1 GCT 155mm and CEASAR 155mm are the only artillery in use with the French Army at this time.
Obviously the "Hail Marys" didn't work out French MOD or NEXTAR. I miss the Aussies, at least they responded to our tank unit questions.
I'm off to the rack.
Regards,
Pat