Difference between revisions of "M48A1"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m48a1_patton_III}}
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{{About
 +
| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = other versions
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| link = M48 Patton (Family)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=us_m48a1_patton_III
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows"]].
 +
 
 +
A first glance towards the M48A1 can give lots of similarities towards the [[M60|M60]]. However, there are some aspects that can distinguish the M48 from the later M60.
 +
 
 +
The M48A1 is probably most distinguished first by its rounded turret and gun, with the square-shaped gun mantlet covered by a dust cover cloth. The 90 mm gun has a cylinder muzzle brake going in a T-shape while a fume extractor sits only slightly behind the muzzle brake position.
 +
 
 +
The hull is distinguished compared to the successor M60 with its curved cast shape instead of straight welded plates.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
The M48A1 front hull glacis and turret mantlet are the strongest points of the tank and have the best chance of bouncing conventional small to medium calibre shells. However, its lower glacis, turret side cheeks, side armour and also the cupola remain significant weak points for the tank. So take extra caution when exposing those weak points. The turret's semi-hemispherical design removes the shot traps seen on the [[M47 (Family)|M47]].
 +
 
 +
The M48A1 is also a rather tall vehicle with its large profile cupola. It can be quickly spotted and identified far away subsequently making this tank rather easy to hit. Chemical shaped charges, sabot shells, and anti-tank guided missiles will also defeat the M48A1's armour.
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret)
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Rear (low), Roof)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 85-200 mm (59-74°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 63-200 mm (13-60°) ''Lower glacis'' || 76 mm (8-43°) ''Front'' <br> 51 mm (0-43°) ''Rear'' || 35 mm (26-32°) ''Top'' <br> 25 mm (61-62°) ''Bottom'' || 25.4-57 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 127 mm (12-76°) ''Turret front'' <br> 152 + 82 mm (17-26°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 69-100 mm (12-36°) || 51-55 mm (2-71°) || 25-69 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | 70 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
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* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 38 mm in the front and 25 mm in the rear.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
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<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
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 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,255|rbMinHp=716}}
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 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
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 +
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 +
=== Main armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|M41 (90 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[M41 (90 mm)|90 mm M41]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
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! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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|-
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! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 60 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+19° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 22.8 || 31.6 || 38.4 || 42.5 || 45.2 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:M41 (90 mm)/Ammunition|M332 shot, T142E3, M82 shot, M431 shell, M71 shell, M313}}
  
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== Weaponry ==
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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=== Main weaponry ===
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[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.15.1.55''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''60''' || 53&nbsp;''(+7)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 24&nbsp;''(+36)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+43)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+59)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
  
−
=== Additional weaponry ===
+
* Shells are modeled by sets of 2 and disappear from the rack after you've fired both shells in the set.
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
* Racks 4 and 5 are first stage ammo racks. They total 23 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
 +
** These rack are also emptied early: the depletion order at full capacity is: 4 - 5 - 1 - 2 - 3.
 +
** Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-3 into rack 5 then 4. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
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''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
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<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M73 (7.62 mm)}}
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 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
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! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 +
|-
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
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| Pintle || 600 (200) || 575 || -9°/+60° || ±180°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
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! colspan="5" | [[M73 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M73]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 6,000 (250) || 500 || - || -
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
The M48A1 plays as a general medium tank, acting as a jack-of-all-trades in all of the tank's traits with average armour, firepower, and mobility.
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 +
One of the best ways to use this tank when a player does not have access to its HEATFS round is to refrain from using it as a brawler. This is because most of the shells that this tank has in its arsenal do not have the ample firepower to eliminate most of the targets it faces at its BR. However, since the tank is incredibly quick and mobile, it can be used as an excellent flanker. It can outmanoeuvre most of its medium tank rivals and expose their weaker side armour. Be wary when equipped with the M82 shell as its penetration will not exactly be impressive and many heavy tanks and some modern medium tanks like the T-54s are well protected frontally. Be prepared to have the gun always level and ready to aim for weak spots on many tanks in case you may accidentally run into them frontally instead from the side.
  
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== Usage in the battles ==
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It is also a good idea to use this tank in a hiding and ambush role. Temporarily turning off your engine around a good position like a corner and letting unaware enemies roll right past you with the M82 shell loaded up with a decent reload speed can also be used to great effectiveness.
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
In large open maps and long range sniping engagements. the M48A1 can actually be rather difficult to make work with its 90 mm M41 cannon's accuracy and firepower when compared to other medium tanks such as the German Leopard I or British Centurion Mk 3. Mainly when using the APHE shot with lower ballistics in this sense. It is recommended that you use the M431 HEATFS shot for better velocity and easier aim at the cost of not being able to destroy an enemy tank in a single hit compared to the M82 APHE shell. Quickly hitting the ammunition or disabling the gun breech or gunner of other tanks you face is a must for this shell to even be generally effective. Bushes, trees and fences can still detonate the HEATFS shell prematurely if fired close.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Good upper front hull and mantlet armour
 +
* Decent acceleration
 +
* Strong roof armour for the hull
 +
* HEATFS which can overpressure open-topped vehicles and light tanks
 +
* Coincidence rangefinder that can quickly calculate the range compared to other older generation WW2 tank rangefinders
 +
* Can fire HESH rounds
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Quite under-armoured for the rank with many weak spots that Rank IV or WW2 era tanks can still penetrate frontally
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Turret roof armour is thin, allowing penetration by heavy machine guns in air attack
 +
* Cupola weak spot: even small-calibre APHE shells can penetrate it and knock out the turret crew making close range engagements not workout in your favour
 +
* Lower top speed compared to other medium tanks
 +
* The APCR shot is the stock round that you start with
 +
* The HEATFS round suffers from poor post-penetration damage.
 +
* M82 round has rather low penetration for the M48A1's BR and the tanks it faces so it must be used for mainly flank attacks
 +
* Nearly unusable in full uptiers when facing first generation Cold War MBTs, IFVs and light tanks that will typically outclass you with superior speed, firepower, gun stabilization and shells
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
In February 1951, Ordnance opted for a new tank design to modernize the [[M46]] and [[M47]] in the U.S. inventory. The tank was designated the ''90 mm Gun Tank T-48'' and featured a new hemispherical turret, new hull, and an improved suspension. The new design was also the first to remove the hull machine gunner position in American tanks, reducing the total crew from the usual 5 to 4. Further testing and trials with the T-48 design proved its worth and in April 1953, Ordnance standardized the design as the '''90 mm Gun Tank M48 Patton''', which would be the third in the Patton series, all named after General George S. Patton.
 +
 
 +
Production started in 1952 with the original M48 models. During the initial production run, several hundreds of the M48s were found to not be up to the standard protection ratings it should be, these were relegated to training tanks as the M48C. The model was developed into the '''M48A1''' with a redesigned driver hatch and commander's cupola that integrates a .50 cal machine gun for the commander to use. Next variant was the M48A2 with an improved power pack and transmission, along with a new rear plate and improved turret control. The M48A1 models improved with the M48A2 specifications in 1959, up to 1,019 were converted and are labelled the M48A3. The last major model was the M48A5, which is an upgrade of the M48 models in the 1970s with a [[M68_(105_mm)|105 mm Gun M68]], up to 2,069 converted. In total, about 12,000 M48 models were produced in all from the time period of 1952 to 1959.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The Americans mainly used the M48A3 Patton tanks in Vietnam, with 600 models deployed. Each battalion in the US Army and Marines armed with the M48 Patton had 57 tanks each. The Armored Cavalry Squadrons were initially armed with M48s before they were replaced by the lighter [[M551|M551 Sheridan]]. A flamethrower variant was developed from the M48, which became known as the M67A1 "Zippo". The M48 also strengthened the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces by supplementing their [[M41A1|M41A1 Walker Bulldog]] light tanks. The main armour conflicts between the North and South Vietnamese forces usually involved an armour mix of [[T-54_(1951)|T-54]]/[[PT-76B]] for the North and M48 Pattons/M41A1 Bulldogs for the South. In the conflicts, an incident on 23 April 1972 had an NVA anti-tank force with the new 9M14M Malyutka [[Anti-tank_guided_missiles|anti-tank guided missile]] destroy an M48 Patton, marking one of the early uses of the wide-spread infantry anti-tank missiles. Despite that, the M48s performed favourably in the Southern forces. Even after US forces withdrew from South Vietnam and North Vietnam started the Ho Chi Minh Offensive in 1975, the M48s left in the ARVN hands were able to hold back the assaulting [[T-34-85|T-34]] and T-54/55 tanks, only falling when supplies ran out. After the war, the Americans mainly replaced their main tanks with the [[M60|M60 Patton]].
 +
 
 +
Like with most of the American equipment, the M48s were supplied to NATO allies across the world to assist in their conflicts. They became involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and 1971 in the hands of Pakistan along with some [[M47|M47s]] against India's [[Centurion_Mk_3|Centurions]]. Its overall performance in the conflicts was that they performed very well in the battlefield, only failing due to the poor tactics used by the armour forces. The M48s also saw service in the Middle Eastern conflicts. It was notably used in the conflicts against Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in the hands of the Israelis and Jordanian Army. The Israels upgraded their M48s with the 105 mm guns, about 5 years earlier than the Americans, and fight against the Egyptian Soviet-supplied armour. They also saw use in the Lebanese Civil War in the hands of nearly all sides involved. They were also used in Turkey's military in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The M48s were also used in Iranian hands in the Iran-Iraq war against Soviet-supplied weaponry in Iraq's hands. Morocco also received a hundred M48A5 Pattons from America in 1987. One of the most recent conflicts the M48s were used was in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 when assisting the stranded US Rangers and Delta Force in the city.
 +
 
 +
The M48s were used by 19 different countries in the world during its service life, of which 9 countries still use in varying quantities. Despite being rather outdated in the later part of the Cold War, which warranted its replacement by the M60, the M48 help supplemented the forces around the world in their conflicts. With many models remain in inventory across the world, it still proves a valuable weapon against countries without advanced anti-tank weaponry.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
  
−
== Read also ==
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m48a1_patton_III Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|HLOPy5uqghw|'''Honestly... Fun? M48A1 Patton''' - ''Virus''|Xwid3UCLr5U|'''The Patton Family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 5:00 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|ei-rg46KJlU|'''M48A1 Tank Review - Pay or Die (and die anyways)''' - ''Napalmratte''|Fo-u51pqlrg|'''Tank Chats #108 - M48''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
+
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
 +
 
 +
* [[M48 Patton (Family)]]
  
−
== Sources ==
+
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
* [[M60 (Family)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/3751-development-m48a1-en|[Devblog] M48A1]]
 +
* [[wikipedia:M48_Patton|[Wikipedia] M48 Patton]]
 +
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/M48_Patton.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> 90mm Gun Tank M48 Patton III]
 +
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=29 <nowiki>[Military Factory]</nowiki> M48 Patton]
 +
 
 +
{{TankManufacturer Chrysler Defense}}
 +
{{USA medium tanks}}

Latest revision as of 19:42, 8 May 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the American medium tank M48A1. For other versions, see M48 Patton (Family).
M48A1
us_m48a1_patton_iii.png
GarageImage M48A1.jpg
ArtImage M48A1.png
M48A1
USA flag.png USA
V Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.7 7.7 7.7
Class:
Research:48 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The 90 mm Gun Tank M48A1 Patton III is a rank V American medium tank with a battle rating of 7.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows".

A first glance towards the M48A1 can give lots of similarities towards the M60. However, there are some aspects that can distinguish the M48 from the later M60.

The M48A1 is probably most distinguished first by its rounded turret and gun, with the square-shaped gun mantlet covered by a dust cover cloth. The 90 mm gun has a cylinder muzzle brake going in a T-shape while a fume extractor sits only slightly behind the muzzle brake position.

The hull is distinguished compared to the successor M60 with its curved cast shape instead of straight welded plates.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull110 / 76 / 35
Turret130 / 76 / 51
Crew4 people
Visibility117 %

The M48A1 front hull glacis and turret mantlet are the strongest points of the tank and have the best chance of bouncing conventional small to medium calibre shells. However, its lower glacis, turret side cheeks, side armour and also the cupola remain significant weak points for the tank. So take extra caution when exposing those weak points. The turret's semi-hemispherical design removes the shot traps seen on the M47.

The M48A1 is also a rather tall vehicle with its large profile cupola. It can be quickly spotted and identified far away subsequently making this tank rather easy to hit. Chemical shaped charges, sabot shells, and anti-tank guided missiles will also defeat the M48A1's armour.

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Rear (low), Roof)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 85-200 mm (59-74°) Front glacis
63-200 mm (13-60°) Lower glacis 		76 mm (8-43°) Front
51 mm (0-43°) Rear 		35 mm (26-32°) Top
25 mm (61-62°) Bottom 		25.4-57 mm
Turret 127 mm (12-76°) Turret front
152 + 82 mm (17-26°) Gun mantlet 		69-100 mm (12-36°) 51-55 mm (2-71°) 25-69 mm
Cupola 70 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 38 mm in the front and 25 mm in the rear.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB51 / 10 km/h
RB and SB46 / 9 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight44.9 t
Engine power
AB1 545 hp
RB and SB810 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB34.4 hp/t
RB and SB18.0 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 51 10 44.9 1,255 1,545 27.95 34.41
Realistic 46 9 716 810 15.95 18.04

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 167 → 5 458 Sl icon.png
RB4 708 → 6 167 Sl icon.png
SB6 635 → 8 691 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications77 300 Rp icon.png
129 400 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
195 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
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Brake System
Research:
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Cost:
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Filters
Research:
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Cost:
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Transmission
Research:
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Cost:
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Engine
Research:
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Cost:
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Improved Parts
Research:
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Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
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Improved FPE
Research:
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Cost:
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Crew Replenishment
Research:
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Cost:
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Horizontal Drive
Research:
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Cost:
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90mm_us_M82_m48_ammo_pack
Research:
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Cost:
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Adjustment of Fire
Research:
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Cost:
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90mm_us_T142E3_HESH_ammo_pack
Research:
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Cost:
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Elevation Mechanism
Research:
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Cost:
8 100 Sl icon.png
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90mm_us_M431_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
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Cost:
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Artillery Support
Research:
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Cost:
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90mm_us_M313_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
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Cost:
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Rangefinder
Research:
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Cost:
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Armaments

Rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

90 mm M41 cannon
Ammunition60 rounds
First-order23 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.7 → 6.7 s
Vertical guidance-9° / 19°
Main article: M41 (90 mm)
90 mm M41 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 60 -9°/+19° ±180° - 22.8 31.6 38.4 42.5 45.2 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 14.3 16.8 20.4 22.6 24.0

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
M332 shot APCR 321 316 292 265 240 218
T142E3 HESH 102 102 102 102 102 102
M82 shot APCBC 185 182 169 155 142 130
M431 shell HEATFS 320 320 320 320 320 320
M71 shell HE 20 20 18 17 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%
M332 shot APCR 1,249 5.7 - - - 66° 70° 72°
T142E3 HESH 792 10.6 0.1 4 3,050 73° 77° 80°
M82 shot APCBC 853 10.91 1.2 14 137.2 48° 63° 71°
M431 shell HEATFS 1,216 5.8 0.05 0.1 712.64 65° 72° 77°
M71 shell HE 823 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 M48A1
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
60 53 (+7) 42 (+18) 24 (+36) 17 (+43) 1 (+59) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled by sets of 2 and disappear from the rack after you've fired both shells in the set.
  • Racks 4 and 5 are first stage ammo racks. They total 23 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
    • These rack are also emptied early: the depletion order at full capacity is: 4 - 5 - 1 - 2 - 3.
    • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-3 into rack 5 then 4. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun
Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-9° / 60°
7.62 mm M73 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition6 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
Main articles: M2HB (12.7 mm), M73 (7.62 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 600 (200) 575 -9°/+60° ±180°
7.62 mm M73
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 6,000 (250) 500 - -

Usage in battles

The M48A1 plays as a general medium tank, acting as a jack-of-all-trades in all of the tank's traits with average armour, firepower, and mobility.

One of the best ways to use this tank when a player does not have access to its HEATFS round is to refrain from using it as a brawler. This is because most of the shells that this tank has in its arsenal do not have the ample firepower to eliminate most of the targets it faces at its BR. However, since the tank is incredibly quick and mobile, it can be used as an excellent flanker. It can outmanoeuvre most of its medium tank rivals and expose their weaker side armour. Be wary when equipped with the M82 shell as its penetration will not exactly be impressive and many heavy tanks and some modern medium tanks like the T-54s are well protected frontally. Be prepared to have the gun always level and ready to aim for weak spots on many tanks in case you may accidentally run into them frontally instead from the side.

It is also a good idea to use this tank in a hiding and ambush role. Temporarily turning off your engine around a good position like a corner and letting unaware enemies roll right past you with the M82 shell loaded up with a decent reload speed can also be used to great effectiveness.

In large open maps and long range sniping engagements. the M48A1 can actually be rather difficult to make work with its 90 mm M41 cannon's accuracy and firepower when compared to other medium tanks such as the German Leopard I or British Centurion Mk 3. Mainly when using the APHE shot with lower ballistics in this sense. It is recommended that you use the M431 HEATFS shot for better velocity and easier aim at the cost of not being able to destroy an enemy tank in a single hit compared to the M82 APHE shell. Quickly hitting the ammunition or disabling the gun breech or gunner of other tanks you face is a must for this shell to even be generally effective. Bushes, trees and fences can still detonate the HEATFS shell prematurely if fired close.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good upper front hull and mantlet armour
  • Decent acceleration
  • Strong roof armour for the hull
  • HEATFS which can overpressure open-topped vehicles and light tanks
  • Coincidence rangefinder that can quickly calculate the range compared to other older generation WW2 tank rangefinders
  • Can fire HESH rounds

Cons:

  • Quite under-armoured for the rank with many weak spots that Rank IV or WW2 era tanks can still penetrate frontally
  • Turret roof armour is thin, allowing penetration by heavy machine guns in air attack
  • Cupola weak spot: even small-calibre APHE shells can penetrate it and knock out the turret crew making close range engagements not workout in your favour
  • Lower top speed compared to other medium tanks
  • The APCR shot is the stock round that you start with
  • The HEATFS round suffers from poor post-penetration damage.
  • M82 round has rather low penetration for the M48A1's BR and the tanks it faces so it must be used for mainly flank attacks
  • Nearly unusable in full uptiers when facing first generation Cold War MBTs, IFVs and light tanks that will typically outclass you with superior speed, firepower, gun stabilization and shells

History

Development

In February 1951, Ordnance opted for a new tank design to modernize the M46 and M47 in the U.S. inventory. The tank was designated the 90 mm Gun Tank T-48 and featured a new hemispherical turret, new hull, and an improved suspension. The new design was also the first to remove the hull machine gunner position in American tanks, reducing the total crew from the usual 5 to 4. Further testing and trials with the T-48 design proved its worth and in April 1953, Ordnance standardized the design as the 90 mm Gun Tank M48 Patton, which would be the third in the Patton series, all named after General George S. Patton.

Production started in 1952 with the original M48 models. During the initial production run, several hundreds of the M48s were found to not be up to the standard protection ratings it should be, these were relegated to training tanks as the M48C. The model was developed into the M48A1 with a redesigned driver hatch and commander's cupola that integrates a .50 cal machine gun for the commander to use. Next variant was the M48A2 with an improved power pack and transmission, along with a new rear plate and improved turret control. The M48A1 models improved with the M48A2 specifications in 1959, up to 1,019 were converted and are labelled the M48A3. The last major model was the M48A5, which is an upgrade of the M48 models in the 1970s with a 105 mm Gun M68, up to 2,069 converted. In total, about 12,000 M48 models were produced in all from the time period of 1952 to 1959.

Combat usage

The Americans mainly used the M48A3 Patton tanks in Vietnam, with 600 models deployed. Each battalion in the US Army and Marines armed with the M48 Patton had 57 tanks each. The Armored Cavalry Squadrons were initially armed with M48s before they were replaced by the lighter M551 Sheridan. A flamethrower variant was developed from the M48, which became known as the M67A1 "Zippo". The M48 also strengthened the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces by supplementing their M41A1 Walker Bulldog light tanks. The main armour conflicts between the North and South Vietnamese forces usually involved an armour mix of T-54/PT-76B for the North and M48 Pattons/M41A1 Bulldogs for the South. In the conflicts, an incident on 23 April 1972 had an NVA anti-tank force with the new 9M14M Malyutka anti-tank guided missile destroy an M48 Patton, marking one of the early uses of the wide-spread infantry anti-tank missiles. Despite that, the M48s performed favourably in the Southern forces. Even after US forces withdrew from South Vietnam and North Vietnam started the Ho Chi Minh Offensive in 1975, the M48s left in the ARVN hands were able to hold back the assaulting T-34 and T-54/55 tanks, only falling when supplies ran out. After the war, the Americans mainly replaced their main tanks with the M60 Patton.

Like with most of the American equipment, the M48s were supplied to NATO allies across the world to assist in their conflicts. They became involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and 1971 in the hands of Pakistan along with some M47s against India's Centurions. Its overall performance in the conflicts was that they performed very well in the battlefield, only failing due to the poor tactics used by the armour forces. The M48s also saw service in the Middle Eastern conflicts. It was notably used in the conflicts against Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in the hands of the Israelis and Jordanian Army. The Israels upgraded their M48s with the 105 mm guns, about 5 years earlier than the Americans, and fight against the Egyptian Soviet-supplied armour. They also saw use in the Lebanese Civil War in the hands of nearly all sides involved. They were also used in Turkey's military in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The M48s were also used in Iranian hands in the Iran-Iraq war against Soviet-supplied weaponry in Iraq's hands. Morocco also received a hundred M48A5 Pattons from America in 1987. One of the most recent conflicts the M48s were used was in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 when assisting the stranded US Rangers and Delta Force in the city.

The M48s were used by 19 different countries in the world during its service life, of which 9 countries still use in varying quantities. Despite being rather outdated in the later part of the Cold War, which warranted its replacement by the M60, the M48 help supplemented the forces around the world in their conflicts. With many models remain in inventory across the world, it still proves a valuable weapon against countries without advanced anti-tank weaponry.

Media

Skins
Videos
Honestly... Fun? M48A1 Patton - Virus
The Patton Family discusses the M48A1 at 5:00 - War Thunder Official Channel
M48A1 Tank Review - Pay or Die (and die anyways) - Napalmratte
Tank Chats #108 - M48 - The Tank Museum

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Chrysler Defense
MBTs 
M48 Patton  M48A1
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A2 · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A3 TTS
M1  XM1 (Chrysler) · M1 Abrams
Export 
M48  M48A2 C · M48A2 G A2 · ␗M48A1 · Magach 1 · Magach 2
M60  ␗M60A3 TTS · M60A1 "D.C.Ariete" ·
Note  Chrysler Defense was purchased by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 1982.

USA medium tanks
M2  M2
M3  M3 Lee · ▃Grant I
M4  M4 · Calliope · M4A1 · M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (105) · M4A3 (76) W · M4/T26
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26 T99 · M26E1
M46/47/48 Patton  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47 · M48A1 · T54E1 · T54E2
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A2 · M60A3 TTS · M728 CEV · 120S
MBT-70  MBT-70 · XM803
M1 Abrams  XM1 (Chrysler) · XM1 (GM)
  M1 Abrams · M1 KVT · IPM1
  M1A1 · M1A1 HC · M1A1 Click-Bait
  M1A2 Abrams · M1A2 SEP · M1A2 SEP V2
Other  T95E1
Australia  M1A1 AIM
Canada  M4A5
Israel  ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Merkava Mk.1 · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.3D
Turkey  M60 AMBT

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