Difference between revisions of "M47"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m47_patton_II}}
 
 
{{About
 
{{About
 
| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the version in the Italian tree
+
| usage = other versions
| link = M47 (105/55)
+
| link = M47 (Family)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=us_m47_patton_II
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''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.''-->
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
[[File:GarageImage_M47.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
With the [[M46]] as the most modern tank in the US Army, the US knew it could have something better. Work was done alongside the [[M41A1|T41 light tank]] project as the T42 medium tank to try and introduce newer technologies into a new tank design. However, the Korean War broke out in 1950 and the US Army found themselves in urgent need to tanks now. Looking at their work done in the T42, it was decided the expedient route to get more new tanks produced was to mate the T42 turret onto the M46 hull. The design proved optimal and further modifications led to the design being christened the M47 Patton II, sharing the same nickname as the preceding M46. Though urgently produced, its service with the US Army is short-lived as the newer [[M48A1|M48 Patton III]] tank came into service. The M47 would serve a greater role arming [[MKPz_M47_G|US allies in Europe and abroad]].
{{break}}
+
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]] along with the rest of American Ground Forces. It uses a similar hull as its predecessor, the [[M46|M46 Patton]], but features a new turret and a better gun.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]] along with the rest of American Ground Forces, shares very similar design commonality with the M46. As such, players familiar with the M46 play style will fit at home with the M47. The M47 does introduces some new quirks with the design. In terms of firepower, the M47 has a slightly more powerful HEATFS round and a 12.7 mm coaxial machine gun, which could help provide an edge against the opponent. Armour is slightly improved with a new front glacis profile, being sloped at a larger degree to help grant some more effective armour for that greater chance of survival. Mobility is otherwise the same with the shared engine and transmission of the M46. So while M46 players will be very comfortable with the M47, the slight benefits the design provide can allow players to handle the new threat profile the M47 is expected to encounter.
  
 
== 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 helpful 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.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
+
*Cast homogeneous armour (Front hull, turret, cupola)
'''Armour type:'''
+
*Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull sides, rear and roof, turret roof, cupola roof)
 
 
*Cast homogeneous armour (Front hull, Turret)  
 
*Rolled homogeneous armour (Side, Rear, Roof)
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
Line 26: Line 28:
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || 101.6 mm (59°) ''Front Glacis''<br> 76.2 mm (52°) ''Lower Glacis'' || 63.5 mm || 76.2 mm || 25.4 mm  
+
| Hull || 101.6 mm (59°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 75 mm (24-76°) ''MG port bulge'' <br> 170 mm ''MG port housing'' <br> 40 mm ''MG port'' <br> 90 mm (52°) ''Lower glacis - Top'' <br> 76.2 mm (27-54°) ''Lower glacis - Bottom'' || 85 mm ''Top - Front'' <br> 38-50.8 mm ''Top - Rear'' <br> 25.4 mm (67°) ''Bottom'' || 60 mm ''Upper plate - Centre'' <br> 22.2 mm (60°) ''Lower glacis - Centre'' <br> 38-50.8 mm ''Sides'' || 22.2 mm (0-16°) <br> 25.4 mm (spherical) ''Front hatches''
|-
 
| Turret || 101.6 mm || 76.2 mm || 50.8 mm || 22.2 mm  
 
 
|-
 
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
+
| Turret || 121 mm (spherical) ''Turret front - Centre and Bottom'' <br> 101.6 mm ''Turret front - Top'' <br> 62-74 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 63.5 mm (22-27°) <br> 16 mm (spherical) ''Optics port'' || 76.2-90 mm || 25.4 mm
 
|-
 
|-
| Cupola || 76.2 mm || 25.4 mm
+
| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 76.2 mm (cylindrical) || 76.2 mm (conical) ''Outer ring'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Centre''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
  
* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick.
+
* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick and tracks are 30 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.
 +
* Storage boxes and mudguards are 5 mm thick.
 +
* Turret bustle rack is 15 mm thick.
  
In Rank V, the M47 Patton does not have suitable armour against the numerous 88 mm, 100 mm, and 122 mm calibers running around the field. However, it makes up for that with a potent 90 mm cannon with new ammunition able to fight back. Due to the armour thickness of the Rank V tanks, it is recommended to use the M47 Patton's speed to flank the enemy, then engage them on their sides to detonate their ammo racks or knock out the crew.
+
At rank V, the M47 does not have suitable armour to survive direct hits from the numerous 88, 100, and 122 mm calibres fielded. Its best chance for survival is to flank enemies.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''-->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
|-
+
 
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 1,255|rbMinHp= 716}}
|-
+
 
! Weight (tons)
+
=== Modifications and economy ===
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
+
{{Specs-Economy}}
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 
|-
 
| rowspan="2" | 44.1 || 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
 
|____
 
|-
 
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
|716
 
|810
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 
|-
 
! colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
|-
 
|''Arcade''
 
|28.46
 
|__.__
 
|-
 
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
|16.23
 
|18.37
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-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 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.''-->
+
{{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|M36 (90 mm)}}
 
{{main|M36 (90 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
 
! colspan="6" | [[M36 (90 mm)|90 mm M36]]
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
|-
 
| colspan="3" | 70 || -5°/+19° || ±180° || N/A
 
|-
 
! 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'' || 21.42 || 29.60 || 36.00 || 39.70 || 42.30
 
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 21.42 || 25.20 || 30.60 || 33.80 || 36.00
+
! colspan="5" | [[M36 (90 mm)|90 mm M36]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
+
! ''Arcade''
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
+
| rowspan="2" | 71 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+19° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 34.3 || 47.4 || 57.6 || 63.6 || 67.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 9.75 || 8.63 || 7.95 || 7.50
+
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 21.4 || 25.2 || 30.6 || 33.8 || 36.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:M36 (90 mm)/Ammunition|M318A1 shot, M82 shot, M304 shot, M332 shot, M431 shell, M71A1 shell, M313}}
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
 
|-
 
! 10m
 
! 100m
 
! 500m
 
! 1000m
 
! 1500m
 
! 2000m
 
|-
 
| M318A1 shot || AP || 191 || 189 || 175 || 160 || 147 || 134
 
|-
 
| M71A1 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 
|-
 
| M82 shot || APCBC || 182 || 180 || 168 || 153 || 140 || 128
 
|-
 
| M304 shot || APCR || 264 || 260 || 245 || 226 || 210 || 191
 
|-
 
| M332 shot || APCR || 355 || 347 || 321 || 290 || 262 || 237
 
|-
 
| M431 shell || HEATFS || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! 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%
 
|-
 
| M318A1 shot || AP || 912 || 10.91 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
| M71A1 shell || HE || 732 || 10.55 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 925 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
| M82 shot || APCBC || 853 || 10.94 || 1.2 || 20 || 137.2 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
| M304 shot || APCR || 1,021 || 7.56 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
|-
 
| M332 shot || APCR || 1,249 || 5.64 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
|-
 
| M431 shell || HEATFS || 1,216 || 5.8 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 712.64 || +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 || 10.7 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_M47.png|right|thumbnail|300px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the M47 Patton II.]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.2.60''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
+
! Full<br>ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
+
! 1st<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
+
! 2nd<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty
+
! 3rd<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty
+
! 4th<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
+
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''70''' || 65&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 62&nbsp;''(+8)'' || 60&nbsp;''(+10)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+69)'' || style="text-align:center" | no
+
| '''71''' || 42&nbsp;''(+29)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+59)'' || 10&nbsp;''(+61)'' || 7&nbsp;''(+64)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+70)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
  
Turret empty: 60&nbsp;''(+10)''
+
* As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.
 +
* Shells are modeled by sets of 2 and disappear from the rack after both shells in the set having been shot or loaded.
 +
* Racks 3 to 5 are first stage ammo racks. They total 11 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
 +
* These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 5 - 1 - 2.
 +
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-6 into racks 8 then 7. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== 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.''-->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 +
<!-- ''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)}}
 
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
 
! colspan="7" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 
|-
 
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
+
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="4" | 2,200 (200) || 577 || N/A || N/A
+
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
+
| Coaxial || 1,800 (200) || 577 || N/A || N/A
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
+
| Pintle || 600 (200) || 577 || -10°/+30° || ±180°
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
| colspan="4" | 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} comes with 2 M2HB 0.50 cal machine guns (1 coaxial and 1 roof-mounted), providing a concentrated stream of heavy machine-gun fire to target low-flying aircraft or lightly armoured vehicles.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).''
+
<!-- ''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 M47 is very much a glass cannon. With a powerful gun, but weak armour, this vehicle should be played carefully, and out of sight of the enemy. As such, it is often beneficial to use an ambush or flanking-based playstyle. Attacking enemies without being seen will maximize this tank's capabilities.
 +
 
 +
The stock APBC shell is quite weak compared to the shells used by the M47's enemies. While working towards the much better HEATFS shell, it is advisable to shoot for enemies' tracks and gun barrels if the main hull is too-well protected for the APBC shell to penetrate. Doing so will help to incapacitate your enemies and support your better-armed teammates. Additionally, the M47 should never have any trouble dealing with soft targets. With two 12.7 mm machine guns in addition to the main cannon, light tanks and armoured cars can be dispatched with ease. (On a side note, these machine guns can be used to spot enemy targets, alerting your team to their presence.)
 +
 
 +
Once the HEATFS shell is unlocked, the M47 may be played more like a classic medium tank. There will be few vehicles that the upgraded shell cannot penetrate. It is recommended to play near friendly vehicles, in case support is needed--even with an upgraded shell, the M47 is not a lone wolf, and will suffer without the backup of its allies.
 +
 
 +
The M47 has above-average mobility, and achieving flanking positions should not pose too much difficulty. However, the tank does have a high-profile, making it easily spotted. Combined with the vehicle's poor armour, this makes it especially important to stay out of the enemy's sight.
  
 
=== 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. 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".''-->
+
<!-- ''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 mobility, same handling as the [[M46|M46]].
+
* Good mobility, same handling as the [[M46]]
* Great turret traverse speed once upgraded.
+
* Great turret traverse speed once upgraded
* Decent front armour, more sloped than the M46.
+
* Decent front armour, more sloped than the M46
* 320 mm HEATFS ammunition once unlocked.
+
* Access to a high-velocity HEATFS and APCR ammunition
* Decent speed and mobility.
+
* Gun depression of -10° is usually sufficient
  
'''Cons'''
+
'''Cons:'''
  
* Worst stock playthrough in the game because the stock ammunition.
+
* Overall bad armour for Rank V matches, especially in the turret
* Overall bad armour for Rank V matches, especially in the turret.
+
* The gun is not very good with stock ammo, recommended to unlock HEATFS as soon as possible
* The gun is not very good with stock ammo, recommended to unlock HEATFS as soon as possible.
+
* Mobility is limited or even rather poor until modifications are purchased.
* Slightly higher than its predecessor.
 
* Bad gun depression of -5°.
 
  
 
== 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 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
+
<!-- ''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===
 
===Development===
The '''M47 Patton''' came about only a few years after its predecessor, the [[M46|M46 Patton]]. The basis of this design was the [[M26|M26 Pershing]], which was deemed insufficiently mobile for its role as a medium tank. The M46 was mainly the M26 Pershing with a new engine, transmission, and a redesigned 90 mm gun. While a good solution for the lacking M26 Pershing design, it was only considered a stopgap solution while the experimental ''T42 medium tank'' was being developed. However, the Korean War put a stop in that development due to an urgent need of tanks, so the T42 project, which would produce a completely new tank design, was put on-hold.  
+
The '''M47 Patton''' came about only a few years after its predecessor, the [[M46|M46 Patton]]. The basis of this design was the [[M26|M26 Pershing]], which was deemed insufficiently mobile for its role as a medium tank. The M46 was mainly the M26 Pershing with a new engine, transmission, and a redesigned 90 mm gun. While a good solution for the lacking M26 Pershing design, it was only considered a stopgap solution while the experimental ''T42 medium tank'' was being developed. However, the Korean War put a stop in that development due to an urgent need of tanks, so the T42 project, which would produce a completely new tank design, was put on hold.
  
An interim decision was made to mount the turret from the T42 onto the hull of the M46 Patton, this modified tank was designated the '''M47 Patton''' and entered production in 1951. A common nickname for the tank was the ''Patton II'', due to the same name as the M46 Patton, this was changed to ''Patton 47'' a few weeks later. The M47 Patton featured most of the armament seen from the M26 Pershing and M46 Patton, with a 90 mm gun and a coaxial and hull-mounted .30 cal machine gun, and a .50 cal machine gun on top of the turret. The M47 Patton has the distinction of being the last American tank with the hull-mounted machine gun on the bow. The new turret required the hull to be redesigned with a larger turret ring and had a "needle-nose" design with the turret mantlet heavily sloped towards the cannon, the design's heavy sloping nature also helped improve protection. The turret also had a large protrusion at the back to act as storage. A M12 stereoscopic range finder was also mounted on a turret, which was difficult to use, but would appear in every American tank design from here on until the M1 Abrams design.  
+
An interim decision was made to mount the turret from the T42 onto the hull of the M46 Patton, this modified tank was designated the '''M47 Patton''' and entered production in 1951. A common nickname for the tank was the ''Patton II'', due to the same name as the M46 Patton, this was changed to ''Patton 47'' a few weeks later. The M47 Patton featured most of the armament seen from the M26 Pershing and M46 Patton, with a 90 mm gun and a coaxial and hull-mounted .30 cal machine gun, and a .50 cal machine gun on top of the turret. The M47 Patton has the distinction of being the last American tank with the hull-mounted machine gun on the bow. The new turret required the hull to be redesigned with a larger turret ring and had a "needle-nose" design with the turret mantlet heavily sloped towards the cannon, the design's heavy sloping nature also helped improve protection. The turret also had a large protrusion at the back to act as storage. An M12 stereoscopic range finder was also mounted on a turret, which was difficult to use, but would appear in every American tank design from here on until the M1 Abrams design.
  
Though technically a medium tank by the army standards, a new standardization in US Army tank designation in November 9, 1950 had the entire system changed from the weight of the tank to the caliber of the vehicle's gun. Therefore in 1950s, the "Medium Tank M47 Patton" name was changed to '''90 mm Gun Tank M47 Patton'''. This designation would go on for future American tank designs. The M47 Patton began production in June 1951 before its standardization at the Detroit Tank Arsenal. Delays in the production schedule caused a long period of testing to occur until it was standardized in May 1952. Production ran until November 1953 with a total production number of more than 9,000 M47 Pattons between Detroit and Alco.
+
Though technically a medium tank by the army standards, a new standardization in US Army tank designation on November 9, 1950, had the entire system changed from the weight of the tank to the calibre of the vehicle's gun. Therefore in the 1950s, the "Medium Tank M47 Patton" name was changed to '''90 mm Gun Tank M47 Patton'''. This designation would go on for future American tank designs. The M47 Patton began production in June 1951 before its standardization at the Detroit Tank Arsenal. Delays in the production schedule caused a long period of testing to occur until it was standardized in May 1952. Production ran until November 1953 with a total production number of more than 9,000 M47 Pattons between Detroit and Alco.
  
 
===Usage===
 
===Usage===
The M47 Patton came out only a year before the improved M48 Patton. Because of this, the M47 was declared a "limited standard" in American service, and those still in American hands were replaced by the M48 Patton tanks. It was declared obsolete by 1957 and were only retained by infantry divisions until replaced by anti-tank missiles in the 1960s. The M47 Pattons were given out in large numbers to a number of countries in NATO and SEATO, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Croatia, France, West Germany, and Spain. The M47 Pattons would see service in combat in both Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Six Day War, the Iran-Iraq war, the Invasion of Cyprus, and the Croatian War of Independence. Today, they are still being used in Spain as armour recovery vehicles in artillery and infantry units.
+
The M47 Patton came out only a year before the improved M48 Patton. Because of this, the M47 was declared a "limited standard" in American service, and those still in American hands were replaced by the M48 Patton tanks. It was declared obsolete by 1957 and were only retained by infantry divisions until replaced by anti-tank missiles in the 1960s. The M47 Patton was given out in large numbers to a number of countries in NATO and SEATO, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Croatia, France, West Germany, and Spain. The M47 Patton would see service in combat in both Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Six Day War, the Iran-Iraq war, the Invasion of Cyprus, and the Croatian War of Independence. Today, they are still being used in Spain as armour recovery vehicles in artillery and infantry units.
 +
 
 +
The M47 Pattons were promising new designs developed from the M46 Pattons to improve its combat capabilities with a newer turret. However, it did not serve much in America due to the M48 Patton development, which was a completely new design and had nearly no identical parts with its predecessor. It served very well in other countries as their primary armour forces, but those left in the states were used as targets in firing ranges, mainly for training or as tests for future anti-tank developments. In the 1970s, one was tested against the [[M60|M60 Main Battle Tank]], the successor to the M48 Patton, and its 105 mm L7 gun. The HEAT round fired from the gun penetrated the frontal armour of the M47 Patton with relative ease, armour which was considered superb at its time of introduction. The test went on with many M47 tanks and would prove that conventional steel armour in tank warfare was becoming obsolete in the face of new tank ammo.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
The M47 Patton II medium tank, released in the US beginning in June 1951 by the Detroit Tank Arsenal and the American Locomotive Co., was a modernized version of the M46 Patton.
 +
 
 +
The M47's frontal hull sheets were more sloped, while infrared viewfinders and a heater were added for the crew. The construction for the cast turret was also updated: it took a step forward from the M46, though the builders reduced its interior space in order to add a cupola and reloader's hatch in its overhangs. As a result, indentations were made that proved excellent at catching shells. That error was rectified for the M48 by making the turret fully domed, similar to the Soviet T-54. The tank's armament was reinforced by modernizing the 90 mm cannon, resulting in an initial velocity of over 900 m/s. The M47 hull also differed from the M46: its front section was more streamlined, while the fan hood between the driver and gunner disappeared. Engine power was added, though the tank's top speed remained the same (although the average terrain it encountered was somewhat higher).
 +
 
 +
As a result, the M47 did not become standard for American tank construction, and it was quickly replaced in its limited role for the US Army (two divisions in West Germany) by the M48. However, it was actively distributed among NATO countries and other US-dependent allies, resulting in total production of 8,676 units.
  
The M47 Pattons were promising new designs developed from the M46 Pattons to improve its combat capabilities with a newer turret. However, it did not serve much in America due to the M48 Patton development, which was a completely new deign and had nearly no identical parts with its predecessor. It served very well in other countries as their primary armour forces, but those left in the states were used as targets in firing ranges, mainly for training or as tests for future anti-tank developments. In the 1970s, one was tested against the [[M60|M60 Main Battle Tank]], the successor to the M48 Patton, and its 105 mm L7 gun. The HEAT round fired from the gun penetrated the frontal armour of the M47 Patton with relative ease, armour which was considered superb at its time of introduction. The test went on with many M47 tanks and would prove that conventional steel armour in tank warfare was becoming obsolete in the face of new tank ammo.
+
The M47 Patton II was part of the West German, Austrian, French, Italian, Belgian, Spanish, Jordanian, Japanese, and Turkish armies.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m47_patton_II Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|Xwid3UCLr5U|'''The Patton Family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 2:42 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See 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;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* [[mKPz M47 G]]
 +
* [[M47 (105/55)]]
 +
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
* [[M46]]
 +
* [[M46 "Tiger"]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 +
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [[wikipedia:M47_Patton|[Wikipedia] M47 Patton]]
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
+
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/us/m47_patton.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> 90mm Gun Tank M47 Patton II]
* ''other literature.''
 
  
 +
{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Department}}
 
{{USA medium tanks}}
 
{{USA medium tanks}}

Latest revision as of 20:10, 9 August 2023

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
This page is about the American medium tank M47. For other versions, see M47 (Family).
M47
us_m47_patton_ii.png
GarageImage M47.jpg
ArtImage M47.png
M47
AB RB SB
7.3 7.3 7.3
Class:
Research:82 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:240 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

With the M46 as the most modern tank in the US Army, the US knew it could have something better. Work was done alongside the T41 light tank project as the T42 medium tank to try and introduce newer technologies into a new tank design. However, the Korean War broke out in 1950 and the US Army found themselves in urgent need to tanks now. Looking at their work done in the T42, it was decided the expedient route to get more new tanks produced was to mate the T42 turret onto the M46 hull. The design proved optimal and further modifications led to the design being christened the M47 Patton II, sharing the same nickname as the preceding M46. Though urgently produced, its service with the US Army is short-lived as the newer M48 Patton III tank came into service. The M47 would serve a greater role arming US allies in Europe and abroad.

The 90 mm Gun Tank M47 Patton II, introduced in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals" along with the rest of American Ground Forces, shares very similar design commonality with the M46. As such, players familiar with the M46 play style will fit at home with the M47. The M47 does introduces some new quirks with the design. In terms of firepower, the M47 has a slightly more powerful HEATFS round and a 12.7 mm coaxial machine gun, which could help provide an edge against the opponent. Armour is slightly improved with a new front glacis profile, being sloped at a larger degree to help grant some more effective armour for that greater chance of survival. Mobility is otherwise the same with the shared engine and transmission of the M46. So while M46 players will be very comfortable with the M47, the slight benefits the design provide can allow players to handle the new threat profile the M47 is expected to encounter.

General info

Survivability and armour

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

Armour type:

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

Notes:

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

At rank V, the M47 does not have suitable armour to survive direct hits from the numerous 88, 100, and 122 mm calibres fielded. Its best chance for survival is to flank enemies.

Mobility

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

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 634 → 5 116 Sl icon.png
RB4 105 → 5 779 Sl icon.png
SB5 781 → 8 139 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications69 400 Rp icon.png
117 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training68 000 Sl icon.png
Experts240 000 Sl icon.png
Aces990 Ge icon.png
Research Aces620 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 190 / 210 % Sl icon.png
184 / 184 / 184 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
2 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
2 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
4 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
4 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M82_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
2 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M304_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
2 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
2 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M332_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank rangefinder.png
Rangefinder
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 900 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
4 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_T108_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
4 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M313_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
4 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png

Armaments

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

Main armament

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

Ammunition

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

Ammo racks

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

Notes:

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

Machine guns

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

The M47 comes with 2 M2HB 0.50 cal machine guns (1 coaxial and 1 roof-mounted), providing a concentrated stream of heavy machine-gun fire to target low-flying aircraft or lightly armoured vehicles.

Usage in battles

The M47 is very much a glass cannon. With a powerful gun, but weak armour, this vehicle should be played carefully, and out of sight of the enemy. As such, it is often beneficial to use an ambush or flanking-based playstyle. Attacking enemies without being seen will maximize this tank's capabilities.

The stock APBC shell is quite weak compared to the shells used by the M47's enemies. While working towards the much better HEATFS shell, it is advisable to shoot for enemies' tracks and gun barrels if the main hull is too-well protected for the APBC shell to penetrate. Doing so will help to incapacitate your enemies and support your better-armed teammates. Additionally, the M47 should never have any trouble dealing with soft targets. With two 12.7 mm machine guns in addition to the main cannon, light tanks and armoured cars can be dispatched with ease. (On a side note, these machine guns can be used to spot enemy targets, alerting your team to their presence.)

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

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good mobility, same handling as the M46
  • Great turret traverse speed once upgraded
  • Decent front armour, more sloped than the M46
  • Access to a high-velocity HEATFS and APCR ammunition
  • Gun depression of -10° is usually sufficient

Cons:

  • Overall bad armour for Rank V matches, especially in the turret
  • The gun is not very good with stock ammo, recommended to unlock HEATFS as soon as possible
  • Mobility is limited or even rather poor until modifications are purchased.

History

Development

The M47 Patton came about only a few years after its predecessor, the M46 Patton. The basis of this design was the M26 Pershing, which was deemed insufficiently mobile for its role as a medium tank. The M46 was mainly the M26 Pershing with a new engine, transmission, and a redesigned 90 mm gun. While a good solution for the lacking M26 Pershing design, it was only considered a stopgap solution while the experimental T42 medium tank was being developed. However, the Korean War put a stop in that development due to an urgent need of tanks, so the T42 project, which would produce a completely new tank design, was put on hold.

An interim decision was made to mount the turret from the T42 onto the hull of the M46 Patton, this modified tank was designated the M47 Patton and entered production in 1951. A common nickname for the tank was the Patton II, due to the same name as the M46 Patton, this was changed to Patton 47 a few weeks later. The M47 Patton featured most of the armament seen from the M26 Pershing and M46 Patton, with a 90 mm gun and a coaxial and hull-mounted .30 cal machine gun, and a .50 cal machine gun on top of the turret. The M47 Patton has the distinction of being the last American tank with the hull-mounted machine gun on the bow. The new turret required the hull to be redesigned with a larger turret ring and had a "needle-nose" design with the turret mantlet heavily sloped towards the cannon, the design's heavy sloping nature also helped improve protection. The turret also had a large protrusion at the back to act as storage. An M12 stereoscopic range finder was also mounted on a turret, which was difficult to use, but would appear in every American tank design from here on until the M1 Abrams design.

Though technically a medium tank by the army standards, a new standardization in US Army tank designation on November 9, 1950, had the entire system changed from the weight of the tank to the calibre of the vehicle's gun. Therefore in the 1950s, the "Medium Tank M47 Patton" name was changed to 90 mm Gun Tank M47 Patton. This designation would go on for future American tank designs. The M47 Patton began production in June 1951 before its standardization at the Detroit Tank Arsenal. Delays in the production schedule caused a long period of testing to occur until it was standardized in May 1952. Production ran until November 1953 with a total production number of more than 9,000 M47 Pattons between Detroit and Alco.

Usage

The M47 Patton came out only a year before the improved M48 Patton. Because of this, the M47 was declared a "limited standard" in American service, and those still in American hands were replaced by the M48 Patton tanks. It was declared obsolete by 1957 and were only retained by infantry divisions until replaced by anti-tank missiles in the 1960s. The M47 Patton was given out in large numbers to a number of countries in NATO and SEATO, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Croatia, France, West Germany, and Spain. The M47 Patton would see service in combat in both Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Six Day War, the Iran-Iraq war, the Invasion of Cyprus, and the Croatian War of Independence. Today, they are still being used in Spain as armour recovery vehicles in artillery and infantry units.

The M47 Pattons were promising new designs developed from the M46 Pattons to improve its combat capabilities with a newer turret. However, it did not serve much in America due to the M48 Patton development, which was a completely new design and had nearly no identical parts with its predecessor. It served very well in other countries as their primary armour forces, but those left in the states were used as targets in firing ranges, mainly for training or as tests for future anti-tank developments. In the 1970s, one was tested against the M60 Main Battle Tank, the successor to the M48 Patton, and its 105 mm L7 gun. The HEAT round fired from the gun penetrated the frontal armour of the M47 Patton with relative ease, armour which was considered superb at its time of introduction. The test went on with many M47 tanks and would prove that conventional steel armour in tank warfare was becoming obsolete in the face of new tank ammo.


Archive of the in-game description

The M47 Patton II medium tank, released in the US beginning in June 1951 by the Detroit Tank Arsenal and the American Locomotive Co., was a modernized version of the M46 Patton.

The M47's frontal hull sheets were more sloped, while infrared viewfinders and a heater were added for the crew. The construction for the cast turret was also updated: it took a step forward from the M46, though the builders reduced its interior space in order to add a cupola and reloader's hatch in its overhangs. As a result, indentations were made that proved excellent at catching shells. That error was rectified for the M48 by making the turret fully domed, similar to the Soviet T-54. The tank's armament was reinforced by modernizing the 90 mm cannon, resulting in an initial velocity of over 900 m/s. The M47 hull also differed from the M46: its front section was more streamlined, while the fan hood between the driver and gunner disappeared. Engine power was added, though the tank's top speed remained the same (although the average terrain it encountered was somewhat higher).

As a result, the M47 did not become standard for American tank construction, and it was quickly replaced in its limited role for the US Army (two divisions in West Germany) by the M48. However, it was actively distributed among NATO countries and other US-dependent allies, resulting in total production of 8,676 units.

The M47 Patton II was part of the West German, Austrian, French, Italian, Belgian, Spanish, Jordanian, Japanese, and Turkish armies.


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See also

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

External links


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

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