Difference between revisions of "M46"

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[[File:GarageImage_M46Patton.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_M46Patton.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. 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.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. 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 helpful 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.''-->
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== 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.
+
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 manoeuvrability 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 the cooperation of allied units to get their more vulnerable sides.
  
 
At this rank, the more heavy duty vehicles appears such as the [[IS-3]], [[Tiger II (10.5 cm Kw.K)|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 destroying these beasts.
 
At this rank, the more heavy duty vehicles appears such as the [[IS-3]], [[Tiger II (10.5 cm Kw.K)|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 destroying these beasts.
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<!--''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.
+
* Powerful 90mm main cannon, especially with HEATFS rounds
−
* Decent speed/agility, better than [[M26|M26 Pershing]].
+
* Decent speed/agility, better than [[M26|M26 Pershing]]
−
* Low profile.
+
* Low profile
−
* Neutral steering.
+
* Neutral steering
−
* Rear mounted transmission.
+
* Rear mounted transmission
−
* Excellent gun depression of -10 degs.
+
* Excellent gun depression of -10 degrees
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
* Turret ring is prone to breaking.
+
* Turret ring is prone to breaking
−
* Elevation gear is slow.
+
* Elevation gear is slow
−
* Armour can easily be pierced by other tanks at it's rank.
+
* Armour can easily be pierced by other tanks at its rank
 
* Struggles to penetrate many opponents from the front without HEATFS
 
* Struggles to penetrate many opponents from the front without HEATFS
  
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<!--''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===
 
===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 [[M4A3 (76) W|M4 Shermans]] and the newer [[M26|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.  
+
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 [[M4A3 (76) W|M4 Shermans]] and the newer [[M26|M26 Pershings]]. Of the two, the Pershing was originally classified as a heavy tank as it weighed 41.7 tons compared to 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.
+
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 equipment.
  
 
===Combat usage===
 
===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.
+
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 in 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 re-equipped 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|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.  
 
By the later parts of the 1950s, the M46 Pattons in American service still were being replaced by the newer [[M47|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.  
 +
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
"The M26, which appeared close to the end of World War II, was an excellent tank. However, power-to-weight ratio, maneuverability, and range were lacking. A special new 12-cylinder, air-cooled engine developed by Continental Motors to take care of the maneuverability issue reached 29,361 cm³, and at 2,800 rpm its 704 hp outstripped the M26's 500 hp. The 6.5-fold compression, which was large for the time, required 80 octane fuel, and the air-cooling system often overheated the engine. Giving the tank a new power plant required a replacement roof for the compartment housing the engine and transmission, resulting in the use of a single grating.
 +
 +
The new automatic CD-850 gearbox and steering mechanism were operated using a single lever that served both as a gearshift and steering wheel. The M46's running gear gained another small roller to keep constant tension on the tracks and prevent them from slipping between the leading wheels and rear road wheels. In addition, the front suspension points were given second shock absorbers. The tank was built for low temperatures and had water-crossing special equipment. As a result, it was heavier, though it did not suffer from reduced speed thanks to its upgraded power plant.
 +
 +
In 1948 the modernized tank was accepted as the M46 Patton and mass produced from 1949 through 1951. A total of 1,168 units spread across two modifications were built.
 +
 +
The M46 medium tank was used by US forces during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and also served as part of the American forces in Europe."
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==

Revision as of 16:00, 23 May 2019

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM 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
This page is about the medium tank M46. For the premium version, see M46 “Tiger”.

Description

GarageImage M46.jpg


The Medium Tank M46 Patton is a rank IV American medium tank with a battle rating of 7.0 (AB/RB) and 6.7 (SB). 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
File:Ammoracks M46Patton.png
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: M2HB (12.7 mm), M1919A4 (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 manoeuvrability 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 the 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 destroying 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 degrees

Cons:

  • Turret ring is prone to breaking
  • Elevation gear is slow
  • Armour can easily be pierced by other tanks at its 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 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 equipment.

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 in 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 re-equipped 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.

In-game description

"The M26, which appeared close to the end of World War II, was an excellent tank. However, power-to-weight ratio, maneuverability, and range were lacking. A special new 12-cylinder, air-cooled engine developed by Continental Motors to take care of the maneuverability issue reached 29,361 cm³, and at 2,800 rpm its 704 hp outstripped the M26's 500 hp. The 6.5-fold compression, which was large for the time, required 80 octane fuel, and the air-cooling system often overheated the engine. Giving the tank a new power plant required a replacement roof for the compartment housing the engine and transmission, resulting in the use of a single grating.

The new automatic CD-850 gearbox and steering mechanism were operated using a single lever that served both as a gearshift and steering wheel. The M46's running gear gained another small roller to keep constant tension on the tracks and prevent them from slipping between the leading wheels and rear road wheels. In addition, the front suspension points were given second shock absorbers. The tank was built for low temperatures and had water-crossing special equipment. As a result, it was heavier, though it did not suffer from reduced speed thanks to its upgraded power plant.

In 1948 the modernized tank was accepted as the M46 Patton and mass produced from 1949 through 1951. A total of 1,168 units spread across two modifications were built.

The M46 medium tank was used by US forces during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and also served as part of the American forces in Europe."

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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