The Korean War had necessitated the a crash development, production, and deployment of the M47 Patton unlike anything else the US Army had previously experienced. While the end of the war saw its successor enter the scene, the M48 Patton, the M47 itself could at least be given some proper consideration. While the supply of M47 tanks would be phased out of service, they served as test beds for numerous components, equipment, and designs.
One of the proposed upgrades to the M47 came around in 1968 for the international market. The US Army Tank Automotive Command issued a study to create an upgrade kit that could modernize M47s worldwide, utilizing as many components from the latest M60A1 as possible.
Referred to as the M47-M, the vehicle saw its power package replaced with the new Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine, and the engine compartment was modified accordingly. The rear road wheels were also pushed further back. The bow gunner's position was also eliminated, reducing the crew to four. In its place, an additional 22 rounds of 90 mm ammunition could be stored, and the tank's other ammo racks were rearranged for easier access. This greatly improved the time for the loader to ready the next shell and increased the number of shells from 71 to 79.
Most M47s which saw this upgrade were carried out in Pakistan and Iran, although other countries such as Spain created their own modernization programs. Although the M47 was an emergency interim tank, it was still a sound design and continues to see use in armies all over the world.
The M47-M is essentially a mid-upgrade M47 Patton, sans one crew member, and with a slightly improved rate of fire. It also has a higher top speed.
Guns: 90 mm Gun M36
Engines: Continental AVDS-1790-2A (750 hp)
Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): M47-M (114/64/76)
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): M47-M (46.81)
Hull Armor (mm): 102/76/51
Top Speed: 56 km/h
Sources:
Hunnicutt, R. P. Patton, 2015
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