![]() There was a redesigned “frog” front beak glacis (53-60° slope) plate ranging from 4.33 to 2.4 inches (110 mm to 65 mm), 2-3 in (50-76 mm) on the sides and 1-1.38 in (25-35 mm) angled to 30-60° at the rear. The armor was well improved due to intelligence reports over the T-54 main gun capabilities and raised from 4in (100 mm) to 4.3 in (110 mm). The overall weight was on paper just one ton higher at 49.6 short tons vs 48.6 short tons, allowing no significant modification in transportation standards. However it was made more compact, with a low turret ring, and combined with the turret design, the overall height was a real improvement over the M47, at 10ft 2in versus 11ft 6in (3.10 versus 3.35 meters) high. The hull length, without the gun, was 274.3 inches or 676.7cm. Design HullĬompared to the M47, the hull, gun pointing forward, was almost one meter longer, and 15 mm wider. M48A2 cutaway – Credits: Wikimedia commons. Long after the production was over, the M48A5 final upgrade saw the adoption of the more modern M68 105 mm main gun along with new FCS and other improvements to the M60 standard. ![]() After the unsuccessful M48C quickly relegated to training, the M48A1 and A2 had some engine troubles which were eventually corrected on the M48A3 diesel conversions. The development took some gradual improvements over time. Production will last from 1952 to 1959 with over 12,000 units. After the usual 1/8 and 1/4 models kits, and the test prototype T48, on 2 April 1953, the Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes (OTCM) approved the new model for standardization and production as the 90mm Gun Tank M48. Internally, the crew was reverted to four after the abandon of the hull machine-gunner. The most externally striking aspects were the new hull, longer, lower, with a sloped front part, and the hemispherical turret, reminder of the Soviet T-54/ 55 design. As on the drawing board, the design was in every bit revolutionary and nearly all but a few parts, namely the main gun, rangefinder, roadwheels, return rollers and drive sprockets, were redesigned. OTCM #33791 directive designated the 90mm Gun Tank T48 as to be the next step in tank design and development on February 27, 1951. Back in USA, it is known for its active commitment in Viet-Nâm, but was gradually replaced by the M60 in the sixties. During all these coldwar years, it was throroughly battle-tested in action under foreign colors and is still frontline today in some of these countries. The M48 had been more longer and largely produced than the M47 and saw much more versions in active service. In 1958, the 90 mm main gun was no longer adequate against newest Soviet tanks, and the M48A5 adopted the 105 mm M68 main gun derived from the Royal Ordnance L7 gun, an upgrade to keep pace with the new M60. If you spot anything out of place, please let us know! ![]() Hello dear reader! This article is in need of some care and attention and may contain errors or inaccuracies. The M48 was instead a radical technical departure, adopting a brand new turret and chassis, revised suspensions, more powerful engine and many other improvements. Most were replaced in the US Army and Marine Corps when the M48 was made available and sold abroad. ![]() The M47 has been largely a stopgap model, made from the marriage of the T42 tank prototype (the real successor of the M46) and the M46 chassis, itself an improvement over the WW2 M26 Pershing. It was born soon after it and pressed into service in 1953. Third in line to be named after US Army’s ardent promoter of tanks during ww1 and legendary commander during WW2, the M48 was a development of the M47 Patton (or “Patton II”). Medium Tank – Around 12,000 Built A real departure from the M47. ![]()
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