M47 (Japan)

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This page is about the medium tank M47 (Japan). For other versions, see M47 (Family).
▅M47
jp_m47_patton_ii.png
GarageImage M47 (Japan).jpg
ArtImage M47 (Japan).png
▅M47
AB RB SB
7.3 7.3 7.3
Class:
Research:95 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The 90 mm Gun Tank M47 Patton II was sent by the US to Japan for trials to evaluate its potential as the JGSDF was looking for a new medium tank design. But due to the Japanese order being backlogged because of the German order of M47s, the Japanese started development on their own tank beginning with ST-A series towards the Type 61 MBT. Somewhere halfway through the development, an American M47 could finally be acquired and was compared to the progress the Japanese already had, and it was decided that the Japanese maintained course in developing their own tank instead of ordering more of the M47.

The Japanese M47 was introduced in Update "Red Skies". Offering the exact same vehicle as the American counterpart, it gives Japanese tankers a glance at what more reliable armour can do, which at the battle range the M47 sits is pretty negatable due to APDS(FS) and HEAT(FS) being common sight here. The best course of action is to use this tank as any other Japanese medium tank, making good use of the powerful cannon while playing safe with the vehicle itself, treating it more like a glass cannon such as the previous Type 61 & ST-As before it.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull101 / 76 / 60
Turret121 / 63 / 76
Crew5 people
Visibility120 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (Front hull, turret, cupola)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull sides, rear and roof, turret roof, cupola roof)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 101.6 mm (59°) Upper glacis
75 mm (24-76°) MG port bulge
170 mm MG port housing
40 mm MG port
90 mm (52°) Lower glacis - Top
76.2 mm (27-54°) Lower glacis - Bottom
85 mm Top - Front
38-50.8 mm Top - Rear
25.4 mm (67°) Bottom
60 mm Upper plate - Centre
22.2 mm (60°) Lower glacis - Centre
38-50.8 mm Sides
22.2 mm (0-16°)
25.4 mm (spherical) Front hatches
Turret 121 mm (spherical) Turret front - Centre and Bottom
101.6 mm Turret front - Top
62-74 mm Gun mantlet
63.5 mm (22-27°)
16 mm (spherical) Optics port
76.2-90 mm 25.4 mm
Cupola 76.2 mm (cylindrical) 76.2 mm (conical) Outer ring
25.4 mm Centre

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick and tracks are 30 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.
  • Storage boxes and mudguards are 5 mm thick.
  • Turret bustle rack is 15 mm thick.

The M47 may not be able to survive direct hits from the 88, 100, and 122 mm calibre weapons often fielded by vehicles at Rank V. It is better to flank enemies to survive.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB54 / 22 km/h
RB and SB49 / 20 km/h
Number of gears4 forward
2 back
Weight46.2 t
Engine power
AB1 545 hp
RB and SB810 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB33.4 hp/t
RB and SB17.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 54 22 46.2 1,255 1,545 27.16 33.44
Realistic 49 20 716 810 15.5 17.53

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 878 → 5 460 Sl icon.png
RB4 381 → 6 168 Sl icon.png
SB6 174 → 8 692 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications77 500 Rp icon.png
129 300 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training78 000 Sl icon.png
Experts270 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces670 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 200 / 220 % Sl icon.png
190 / 190 / 190 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
5 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 400 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
5 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 400 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement jp.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M82_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M304_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M332_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank rangefinder.png
Rangefinder
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
5 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 400 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_T108_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
5 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 400 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M313_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
5 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 400 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Main armament

Ammunition71 rounds
First-order11 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.7 → 7.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 19°
Main article: M36 (90 mm)
90 mm M36 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 71 -10°/+19° ±180° N/A 34.3 47.4 57.6 63.6 67.8 9.75 8.63 7.95 7.50
Realistic 21.4 25.2 30.6 33.8 36.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M318A1 shot APBC 193 190 177 162 148 136
M82 shot APCBC 185 182 169 155 142 130
M304 shot APCR 287 281 259 234 211 191
M332 shot APCR 321 316 292 265 240 218
M431 shell HEATFS 320 320 320 320 320 320
M71A1 shell HE 17 17 16 16 16 16
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M318A1 shot APBC 912 10.98 - - - 47° 60° 65°
M82 shot APCBC 853 10.91 1.2 14 137.2 48° 63° 71°
M304 shot APCR 1,021 7.62 - - - 66° 70° 72°
M332 shot APCR 1,249 5.7 - - - 66° 70° 72°
M431 shell HEATFS 1,216 5.8 0.05 0.1 712.64 65° 72° 77°
M71A1 shell HE 732 10.55 0.2 0.1 1,210 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy
time (s)
Screen hold
time (s)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
M313 821 10.7 9 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M47 (Japan)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
71 42 (+29) 12 (+59) 10 (+61) (+64) (+70) No

Notes:

  • As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.
  • Shells are modeled by sets of 2 and disappear from the rack after both shells in the set having been shot or loaded.
  • Racks 3 to 5 are first stage ammo racks. They total 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
  • These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 5 - 1 - 2.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-6 into racks 8 then 7. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

Ammunition1 800 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Ammunition1 600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 30°
Main article: M2HB (12.7 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 1,800 (200) 577 N/A N/A
Pintle 600 (200) 577 -10°/+30° ±180°

The M47 (Japan) comes with 2 M2HB .50 cal machine guns (1 coaxial and 1 roof-mounted) that can provide a concentrated stream of heavy machine-gun fire against low-flying aircraft or lightly armoured vehicles.

Usage in battles

The M47 is often considered a "glass cannon". With a powerful gun but poor armour, it is recommended to play this vehicle carefully and conservatively. As such, it is often beneficial to use an ambush or flanking-based playstyle. Attacking enemies from soft or hard cover without being seen can maximize this tank's capabilities.

Tankers that have experience with the ST-A1, ST-A2 and to the same degree the Type 61 and ST-A3 will already be familiar with this vehicle's playstyle. The armour might be somewhat stronger than the previously mentioned vehicles but for the difference in BR and rank between them, it's about as effective against the tanks it will encounter at its BR.

The stock M318A1 APBC shell is relatively weak compared to shells used by other vehicles. While working towards the improved M431 HEATFS shell, it is advisable to shoot at enemies' tracks and gun barrels if the main hull is too armoured for the APBC shell to penetrate. Doing so will help to incapacitate your enemies and allow your better-armed teammates to destroy them. Additionally, the M47 shouldn't have trouble dealing with soft targets. With two .50 cal M2HB machine guns in addition to the 90 mm M36 main cannon, Light Tanks and Armoured Cars can be dispatched with ease. (On a side note, these machine guns can be used to spot enemy targets, alerting your team to their presence.)

Once the HEATFS shell is unlocked, the M47 can be played more like a classic medium tank. There will be few vehicles that the upgraded shell cannot penetrate. It is recommended to play near friendly vehicles in case support is needed. Even with an upgraded shell, the M47 is not a lone wolf and can suffer without the backup of its allies.

The M47 has above-average mobility, and achieving flanking positions should not pose too much difficulty. However, the tank does have a high profile, which can allow it to be spotted more easily. Combined with the vehicle's poor armour, this makes it especially important to stay out of the enemy's sight.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good mobility, same handling as the M46
  • Great turret traverse speed once upgraded
  • Decent frontal armour, thicker and more sloped than the ST-A3
  • The main gun can penetrate up to 320 mm of armour with HEATFS ammunition
  • Gun depression of -10° is usually sufficient to position behind short obstacles and hills

Cons:

  • Overall poor armour for the rank, especially in the turret
  • The gun is not very good with stock ammo APBC/APCR
  • HEATFS is unable to be unlocked until the rank is reached and all previous ammunition choices are researched
  • Mobility is limited until engine, filter and transmission modifications are researched

History

A 'Japanese' M47 under inspection

Japan started redeveloping its military in the form of the JSDF. Previously issued with surplus WWII-era American vehicles like M4A3 Shermans, M24 Chaffees, M15A1 CGMCs and other equipment, the JGSDF would want to gain a step up in tank development as the communist threat in Korea loomed close to the Japanese homeland. The JGSDF would attempt to get their hands on a new American medium tank that would become a staple of the Cold War, the M47 'Patton II'. Unfortunately for the Japanese, the American assembly lines for the tank were already backlogged with various other foreign orders, primarily from West Germany.

Due to the situation, the JGSDF started working on the prototype STA medium tank series which eventually culminated in the Type 61 MBT. During development, a single M47 'Patton II' was eventually sent to Japan for comparison to the domestic ST-A models. It isn't properly documented when this vehicle arrived in Japan but it has been speculated to have done so sometime in-between the completion of the ST-A1/2 (1957) and the development of the ST-A3/4 (1960). After Japan was done with prototyping and adopting the Type 61, the M47 lost its purpose in the JGSDF and was sent to be scrapped.

Remarkably, however, it was purchased by a private collector and the tank was saved before it could be destroyed. While they may not have been the original collector as said person or organization was never specified, the M47 ended up in the private collection of Nakata Shoten Shop. Located in one of their warehouses in the Tokyo Metropolis, the "Patton II" resides alongside several other vehicles used as evaluation and service vehicles in the JSDF: an M37 HMC, an M36 GMC, an M41A1, and an M59 APC.

While it's likely that the other vehicles were also deactivated due to Japanese civilian weapon control laws, the M47 in Tokyo is known to have been modified in ways that prevent it from being able to move or fire. Some of the changes include the breech being cut, the transmission and engine being removed, and multiple 10 centimetre-wide holes being drilled into the floor.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links


U.S. Army Ordnance Department/Corps*
Light tanks  T18E2 · M24 (Designed in collaboration with Cadillac)
M3 Stuart  M3 · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC)
M5 Stuart  M5A1
Medium tanks  M3 Lee
M4 Sherman  M4 · M4A1 · M4A2 · M4A3 (105) · Calliope
  M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (76) W
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26E1 · M26 T99
Patton Series  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47
Prototypes  T54E1 · T95E1
Heavy tanks  M103
M4 Jumbo  M4A3E2 · Cobra King · M4A3E2 (76) W
M6 Heavy  M6A1 · M6A2E1 · T1E1
M26 Pershing  T26E1-1 · T26E5
Prototypes  T14
T29  T29 · T30 · T34
T-32  T32 · T32E1
Tank destroyers  M3 GMC · M10 GMC · M56
M8 GMC  M8 HMC · M8A1 GMC
M36 GMC  M36 GMC · M36B2
Prototypes  T28 · T95
SPAAGs 
Production  M19 MGMC · M42
Export/Captured  ␗M8 HMC · SU-57
Stuart  Stuart I · Stuart III · ␗M3A3 Stuart · ␗M3A3 (1st PTG) · ▄M3A3 · ▄M3A3 Stuart · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) · ␗M5A1
Lee/Grant  ▂M3 Medium · ▃Grant I · Grant I
M4 Sherman  Sherman II · ▄M4A1 · ␗M4A1 (75) W · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▂M4A2 · ▄M4A3 (105) · ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▄M4A3E2
  ␗M4A4 · ␗M4A4 (1st PTG) · ▄Sherman V · ▄M4A4 · ▄Sherman I Composito
M26 Pershing  M26 "D.C.Ariete" · M26A1
M47 Patton  mKPz M47 G · ▅M47
M10 GMC  ␗M10 GMC · ▄M10 GMC
M36 GMC  ␗M36 GMC · M36B1 · ▅M36 · ▄M36B2
M19 MGMC  ▅M19A1
M42 MGMC  ▅M42 · ␗M42
  *The Ordnance Department was renamed to the Ordnance Corps after the Army Reorganization Act of 1950.

Japan medium tanks
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai · Chi-Ha Kai TD · Chi-Ha Short Gun
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment) · Ho-I
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
Type 61 MBT  ST-A1* · ST-A2* · ST-A3* · Type 61
Type 74 MBT  ST-B2* · Type 74 (C) · Type 74 (E) · Type 74 (F) · Type 74 (G)
Type 90 MBT  Type 90 · Type 90 (B) · Type 90B "Fuji"
Type 10 MBT  TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10
Other  Ka-Chi
USA  ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47
  *Prototype