Difference between revisions of "M46"

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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 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.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage_M46Patton.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''Medium Tank M46 Pattonn''' is a Rank V American medium tank with a battle rating of 7.0. It is one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. As an upgraded version of the [[M26|M26 Pershing]], it features many similarities to its predecessors, but is improved with a better gun and engine for increased firepower and mobility.
 +
 
  
 
== 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?''
+
<!--''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?''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Front)
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Side, Rear, Roof)
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 101.6 mm (42-46°) ''Front Glacis'' <br> 162.5 mm (25-60°) ''Upper front glacis'' <br> 76.2 mm (26-53°) ''Lower Glacis'' || 76.2 mm ''Front'' <br> 50.8 mm (0-9°) ''Rear'' || 50.8 mm ''Top'' <br> 22.2 mm (65°) ''Bottom'' || 22.2 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 101.6 mm (1-55°) ''Turret front'' <br> 114.3 mm (1-84°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 76.2 mm (3-54°) || 76.2 mm (0-79°) || 25.4 mm
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 76.2 mm || 25.4 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 43.7 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 53 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|47 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|1,255
 +
|1,545
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|716
 +
|810
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|28.72
 +
|35.35
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|16.38
 +
|18.53
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''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.''
+
<!--''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.''-->
 +
{{main|M3A1 (90 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[M3A1 (90 mm)|90 mm M3A1]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 70 || -10°/+20° || ±180°
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 15.17 || 20.90 || 25.40 || 28.10 || 29.90
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 15.17 || 17.80 || 21.60 || 23.90 || 25.40
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 11.05 || 9.78 || 9.00 || 8.50
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| M318 shot || AP || 192 || 191 || 179 || 165 || 152 || 139
 +
|-
 +
| M71 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 +
|-
 +
| M82 shot || APCBC || 170 || 169 || 164 || 151 || 138 || 127
 +
|-
 +
| M304 shot || APCR || 264 || 260 || 245 || 226 || 210 || 191
 +
|-
 +
| M332 shot || APCR || 271 || 270 || 245 || 217 || 192 || 170
 +
|-
 +
| M348 shell || HEATFS || 305 || 305 || 305 || 305 || 305 || 305
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| M318 shot || 853 || 11 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| M71 shell || 823 || 11 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 925 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
| M82 shot || 853 || 11 || 1.2 || 20 || 137.2 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| M304 shot || 1021 || 7.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|-
 +
| M332 shot || 1178 || 5.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|-
 +
| M348 shell || 853 || 6.5 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 926.17 || +0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Ammunition
 +
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
 +
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
 +
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
 +
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
|-
 +
| M313 || 821 || 11 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
===== [[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] =====
−
''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.''
+
[[File:Ammoracks_M46.png|right|thumbnail|300px|[[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] of the M46 Patton.]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''70''' || 61&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+69)'' || style="text-align:center" | No
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''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.''
+
<!--''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|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 1,000 (200) || 576 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[Browning (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 4,900 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the 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 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).''
+
<!--''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).''-->
 +
The tank plays almost like the M26 Pershing, it's relatively fast for its size yet has a very powerful gun. In comparison, the M46 Patton features improved maneuverability with increased acceleration, it also has a better gun to combat the foes it will face at its rank. Due to this, the M46 Patton can fit into multiple roles like the Pershing as an offensive or supporting unit. Attack and flank enemy units with cooperation of allied units to get their more vulnerable sides.
 +
 
 +
At this rank, the more heavy duty vehicles appears such as the [[IS-3]], [[Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. B mit 10.5cm KwK L/68|10.5cm Tiger II]], [[T32|T32]], and the [[Maus|Maus]]. These tanks are a menace to not just you, but possibly your entire team. Taking these tanks out in the M46 Patton require close cooperation with other allies in order to get around and hit them in their side armour. More powerful ammunition unlocked in later modifications may improve your attempts at killing these beasts.
 +
 
 +
===Modules===
 +
Get ''Parts'' and ''FPE'' like the usual routine to increase the tank's survivability. After that, work towards the APCR and ''especially'' the HEATFS round at the Rank III and IV modifications to boost your firepower against the enemy at the battle rating.
  
 
=== 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".''
+
<!--''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".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Powerful 90mm main cannon, especially with HEATFS rounds.
−
 
+
* Decent speed/agility, better than [[Medium Tank M26 Pershing|M26 Pershing]].
 +
* Low profile.
 +
* Neutral steering.
 +
* Rear mounted transmission.
 +
* Excellent gun depression of -10 degs.
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Turret ring is prone to breaking.
 +
* Elevation gear is slow.
 +
* Armour can easily be pierced by other tanks at it's rank.
 +
* Struggles to penetrate many opponents from the front without HEATFS
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''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.''
+
<!--''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.''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
The '''M46 Patton''' came about around the time of the Korean War. Before that, the US Army armoured units consisted of two tanks, the venerable [[Medium Tank M4A3 (76) W HVSS Sherman|M4 Shermans]] and the newer [[Medium Tank M26 Pershing|M26 Pershings]]. Of the two, the Pershing was originally classified as a heavy tank as it weighed 41.7 tons compared to the Sherman's 30 ton weight, but a reorganization had the M26 Pershing classified a medium tank after World War II. It proved unsuitable for the role as its mobility was unsatisfactory for that role, using the same Sherman engine, plus an unreliable transmission, to propel a vehicle ten tons heavier.
 +
 
 +
Work began in January 1948 to upgrade the Pershing's mobility with a new engine and transmission. The project was initially designated the ''M26E2'', but as newer upgrades and more modifications are installed onto the tank, it began to feel more like a completely new design rather than a Pershing upgrade, so it was decided to give the model a completely new designation. The end result was the Pershing tank mounting the mentioned upgrades, plus a new power plant and gun with a bore evacuator to expunge propellant fumes. This model was designated the '''M46 Patton''', named after General George S. Patton, the commander of the US Third Army and played a role in the establishment of American tank forces. The rebuilding of the tanks began in November 1949 and had 1,160 Pershings rebuilt into M46s, 800 to the standard variant and 360 to the ''M46A1'', which had better brakes, a cooling and fire protection system, a new engine and transmission, and better electrical equipments.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The M46 saw combat only during the Korean War. The first batch arrived on August 8, 1950 to the 6th Tank Battalion and proved superior to the North Korean and Chinese [[T-34-85]]s. About 200 M46 Pattons arrive to Korea by the end of 1950, making up 15% of the American armoured strength, though the majority was still the M4 Shermans. By 1951, all M26 Pershings in Korea were withdrawn and replaced by the M46 Pattons, and eventually the units with Shermans were also reequipped with the newer tanks as well. When the armistice was finally made, ending the conflict in the Korean Peninsula, the M46 Pattons were withdrawn back to the state.
 +
 
 +
By the later parts of the 1950s, the M46 Pattons in American service still were being replaced by the newer [[90 mm Gun Tank M47 Patton II|M47 Pattons]] and those still in the inventory were leased for no cost to Belgium, France, and Italy for training purposes, sending American instructors to train the European crews and maintenance personnel.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 42: Line 276:
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
<!--''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.''
+
''ETC.''-->
 +
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/3154/current/ Official War Thunder forum article: [Vehicle Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> M46 Patton]
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
* [http://www.massimocorner.com/afv/Surviving_M46_Pattons.pdf Surviving M46 Pattons] (PDF)
 +
 
 +
{{USA medium tanks}}

Revision as of 04:42, 14 October 2018

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
M46
us_m46_patton.png
M46
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.0 7.0 6.7
Class:
Research:71 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:210 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage M46.jpg


The Medium Tank M46 Pattonn is a Rank V American medium tank with a battle rating of 7.0. It is one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals". As an upgraded version of the M26 Pershing, it features many similarities to its predecessors, but is improved with a better gun and engine for increased firepower and mobility.


General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Front)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Side, Rear, Roof)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 101.6 mm (42-46°) Front Glacis
162.5 mm (25-60°) Upper front glacis
76.2 mm (26-53°) Lower Glacis 		76.2 mm Front
50.8 mm (0-9°) Rear 		50.8 mm Top
22.2 mm (65°) Bottom 		22.2 mm
Turret 101.6 mm (1-55°) Turret front
114.3 mm (1-84°) Gun mantlet 		76.2 mm (3-54°) 76.2 mm (0-79°) 25.4 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 76.2 mm 25.4 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
43.7 N/A 53 (AB)
47 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 1,255 1,545
Realistic/Simulator 716 810
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 28.72 35.35
Realistic/Simulator 16.38 18.53

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M3A1 (90 mm)
90 mm M3A1
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
70 -10°/+20° ±180°
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 15.17 20.90 25.40 28.10 29.90
Realistic 15.17 17.80 21.60 23.90 25.40
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
11.05 9.78 9.00 8.50
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
M318 shot AP 192 191 179 165 152 139
M71 shell HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
M82 shot APCBC 170 169 164 151 138 127
M304 shot APCR 264 260 245 226 210 191
M332 shot APCR 271 270 245 217 192 170
M348 shell HEATFS 305 305 305 305 305 305
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
M318 shot 853 11 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
M71 shell 823 11 0.1 0.5 925 +0° 79° 80° 81°
M82 shot 853 11 1.2 20 137.2 +4° 48° 63° 71°
M304 shot 1021 7.6 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
M332 shot 1178 5.6 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
M348 shell 853 6.5 0.0 0.1 926.17 +0° 65° 72° 75°
Smoke characteristic
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Screen radius
in m 		Screen time
in s 		Screen hold time
in s: 		Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
M313 821 11 13 5 20 50
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the M46 Patton.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
70 61 (+9) 1 (+69) No

Machine guns

Main articles: Browning M2 (12.7 mm), Browning (7.62 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
1,000 (200) 576 -10°/+50° ±120°
7.62 mm M1919A4
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
4,900 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

The tank plays almost like the M26 Pershing, it's relatively fast for its size yet has a very powerful gun. In comparison, the M46 Patton features improved maneuverability with increased acceleration, it also has a better gun to combat the foes it will face at its rank. Due to this, the M46 Patton can fit into multiple roles like the Pershing as an offensive or supporting unit. Attack and flank enemy units with cooperation of allied units to get their more vulnerable sides.

At this rank, the more heavy duty vehicles appears such as the IS-3, 10.5cm Tiger II, T32, and the Maus. These tanks are a menace to not just you, but possibly your entire team. Taking these tanks out in the M46 Patton require close cooperation with other allies in order to get around and hit them in their side armour. More powerful ammunition unlocked in later modifications may improve your attempts at killing these beasts.

Modules

Get Parts and FPE like the usual routine to increase the tank's survivability. After that, work towards the APCR and especially the HEATFS round at the Rank III and IV modifications to boost your firepower against the enemy at the battle rating.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 90mm main cannon, especially with HEATFS rounds.
  • Decent speed/agility, better than M26 Pershing.
  • Low profile.
  • Neutral steering.
  • Rear mounted transmission.
  • Excellent gun depression of -10 degs.

Cons:

  • Turret ring is prone to breaking.
  • Elevation gear is slow.
  • Armour can easily be pierced by other tanks at it's rank.
  • Struggles to penetrate many opponents from the front without HEATFS

History

Development

The M46 Patton came about around the time of the Korean War. Before that, the US Army armoured units consisted of two tanks, the venerable M4 Shermans and the newer M26 Pershings. Of the two, the Pershing was originally classified as a heavy tank as it weighed 41.7 tons compared to the Sherman's 30 ton weight, but a reorganization had the M26 Pershing classified a medium tank after World War II. It proved unsuitable for the role as its mobility was unsatisfactory for that role, using the same Sherman engine, plus an unreliable transmission, to propel a vehicle ten tons heavier.

Work began in January 1948 to upgrade the Pershing's mobility with a new engine and transmission. The project was initially designated the M26E2, but as newer upgrades and more modifications are installed onto the tank, it began to feel more like a completely new design rather than a Pershing upgrade, so it was decided to give the model a completely new designation. The end result was the Pershing tank mounting the mentioned upgrades, plus a new power plant and gun with a bore evacuator to expunge propellant fumes. This model was designated the M46 Patton, named after General George S. Patton, the commander of the US Third Army and played a role in the establishment of American tank forces. The rebuilding of the tanks began in November 1949 and had 1,160 Pershings rebuilt into M46s, 800 to the standard variant and 360 to the M46A1, which had better brakes, a cooling and fire protection system, a new engine and transmission, and better electrical equipments.

Combat usage

The M46 saw combat only during the Korean War. The first batch arrived on August 8, 1950 to the 6th Tank Battalion and proved superior to the North Korean and Chinese T-34-85s. About 200 M46 Pattons arrive to Korea by the end of 1950, making up 15% of the American armoured strength, though the majority was still the M4 Shermans. By 1951, all M26 Pershings in Korea were withdrawn and replaced by the M46 Pattons, and eventually the units with Shermans were also reequipped with the newer tanks as well. When the armistice was finally made, ending the conflict in the Korean Peninsula, the M46 Pattons were withdrawn back to the state.

By the later parts of the 1950s, the M46 Pattons in American service still were being replaced by the newer M47 Pattons and those still in the inventory were leased for no cost to Belgium, France, and Italy for training purposes, sending American instructors to train the European crews and maintenance personnel.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

Sources


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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