M48A2

M48A2 Patton.

The M48 Patton began with the development of the M47. Given the rushed nature of the M47's development, it was immediately recognized as a stopgap solution to the US Army's need for a modern battle tank. In parallel with the production of the M47, maximum effort was put into designing its successor. It would take lessons learned with the development of the M41, T42, and T43 and combine them with as many available parts as possible to create a modern, fully versatile vehicle: a true successor to universality of the M4 Sherman.

The first pilot tank was completed and designated as the T48 in February 1951. After a year of testing, the first production batch was authorized to begin in April 1952, and would go into full swing by early 1953. At the same time however, Fort Knox indicated the need for several modifications before they would be accepted by the troops. These changes included the installation of exhaust deflectors, improved interior ventilation, a better cupola hatch lock, and a guard over the gunner's periscope. The T48 would then go on to be designated as the M48 Patton III.

Production M48s were fitted with a low-silhouette commander's cupola. However, the vision provided by the cupola was sorely lacking. So the larger M1 cupola with an integrated interior mount for the external machine gun was designed in 1954. M48s with this new cupola were designated as the M48A1. Detroit Arsenal was also working on modifying the M48 rear hull for installing a more compact engine, which would allow for more space for fuel tanks. Other modifications included improvements to the suspension. This version, combined with the M1 cupola, was designated and introduced as the M48A2.

An M48A2 fitted with the 105 mm M68 by Chrysler in July 1966.

As I propose it, the M48A2 is a comination of the M48A1 and M48A2 variants. The armor is relatively unchanged from the M47 Patton, and in fact the profile is a little bit worse given the tank's larger silhouette and bulbous commander's cupola. In exchange, in my opinion it should receive the best in class gun handling. Fully kitted out, you shouldn't see any drops in accuracy even when on the move.



Guns: 90 mm Gun M41; 105 mm Gun T254; 105 mm Gun M68

Engines: Continental AVDS-1790-1 (700 hp); Continental AV-1790-7C (810 hp); Continental AVI-1790-8 (825 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): M48A1 (178/76/51); M48A2 (178/76/51)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): M48A1 (47.17); M48A2 (47.63)

Hull Armor (mm): 110/76/35 (M48A1); 110/76/41 (M48A2)

Top Speed: 45 km/h (M48A1); 48 km/h (M48A2)

Crew: 4 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander/Radio)


Parents: M47 Patton
Children: M60A1
See Also: M48 Patton, M48A5

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Patton, 2015