The M42 (China)(known as the M42防空砲車 in ROCA service) is the SPAA of ROCA and ROCMC since 1958 as the replacement of M19 GMC. Due to its inferior performance by the 1960s where supersonic jet were commonplace, these vehicles were usually used as a fire-support vehicle instead thanks to its devastating dual 40 mm autocannon; although domestic 20 mm autocannon and imported SAMs have replace them by 1980s, they are still sometimes used during exercises as fire-support vehicle by ROCMC in recent years.

Introduced in Update 1.95 "Northern Wind" alongside with the Chinese ground tech-tree.The Chinese M42 Duster is identical to the US version. Compared to other SPAA vehicles (like the Phòng không T-34, Wirbelwind, Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16, etc.), the M42 is typically regarded as one of the less effective SPAAs, due to its very exposed crew and mediocre rate of fire of 120 rounds per minute.

If used as a light tank, the M42 does not have the armour to stand up directly to many of the other vehicles which it will face on the battlefield, especially against tanks which may fire high-explosive shells. The Duster will fare better against machine gun fire and potentially against some of the lighter autocannon fire which it may encounter, though not for long. Due to the M42's lightweight nature, it is best to stay around cover to help shield the Duster. It is also essential to only expose the vehicle when necessary to get a shot. If discovered, it is best to have a contingency location to which to fall back and regroup.