Difference between revisions of "M48A1"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Mobility)
(Updated page template)
(19 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Specs-Card|code=us_m48a1_patton_III}}
 
{{Specs-Card|code=us_m48a1_patton_III}}
 +
{{About
 +
| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = the version in the German tree
 +
| link = M48A2 G A2
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The '''M48A1 Patton''' is Rank V American medium tank with a battle rating of 7.7. The tank was added in [[Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows"]].  
+
[[File:GarageImage_M48A1PattonIII.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{Break}}
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows"]].
  
 
A first glance towards the M48A1 can give lots of similarities towards the [[M60|M60]]. However, there are some aspects that can distinguish the M48 from the M60.
 
A first glance towards the M48A1 can give lots of similarities towards the [[M60|M60]]. However, there are some aspects that can distinguish the M48 from the M60.
Line 13: Line 20:
 
== 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.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
*Cast homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret)
 +
*Rolled homogeneous armour (Rear (low), Roof)
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
*Cast homogeneous armour (Front hull, Turret)
 
*Rolled homogeneous armour (Side, Rear, Roof)
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || 85-200 mm (59-74°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 63-200 mm (13-60°) ''Lower glacis'' || 76 mm (8-43°) ''Front'' <br> 51 mm (0-43°) ''Rear'' || 35 mm (26-32°) ''Top'' <br> 25 mm (61-62°) ''Bottom'' || 57 mm
+
| Hull || 85-200 mm (59-74°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 63-200 mm (13-60°) ''Lower glacis'' || 76 mm (8-43°) ''Front'' <br> 51 mm (0-43°) ''Rear'' || 35 mm (26-32°) ''Top'' <br> 25 mm (61-62°) ''Bottom'' || 25.4-57 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Turret || 127 mm (12-76°) ''Turret front'' <br> 152 + 82 mm (17-26°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 69-100 mm (12-36°) || 51-55 mm (2-71°) || 25-69 mm
 
| Turret || 127 mm (12-76°) ''Turret front'' <br> 152 + 82 mm (17-26°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 69-100 mm (12-36°) || 51-55 mm (2-71°) || 25-69 mm
 
|-
 
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof  
+
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Cupola || 70 mm || 70 mm
 
| Cupola || 70 mm || 70 mm
Line 33: Line 40:
 
|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Belly armour is 38 mm in the front and 25 mm in the rear.
 
* Belly armour is 38 mm in the front and 25 mm in the rear.
  
 
=== 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 manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
 
|-
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,255|rbMinHp=716}}
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 
|-
 
! Weight (tons)
 
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 
|-
 
|rowspan="2" | 46.4 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 50 (AB)
 
|-
 
|45 (RB/SB)
 
|-
 
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 
|-
 
!colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
|-
 
|''Arcade''
 
|1255
 
|____
 
|-
 
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
|716
 
|810
 
|-
 
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (Hp/ton)
 
|-
 
!colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
|-
 
|''Arcade''
 
|27.05
 
|__.__
 
|-
 
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
|15.43
 
|17.46
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
== 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 flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|M41 (90 mm)}}
 
{{main|M41 (90 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
 
! colspan="5" | [[M41_(90_mm)|90 mm M41]]
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! rowspan="1" | Gun <br> Depression
 
! rowspan="1" | Gun <br> Elevation
 
|-
 
| colspan="3" | 60 || -9° || 19°
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
|-
 
! 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.
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.4 || 22.60 || 24.00
+
! colspan="5" | [[M41 (90 mm)|90 mm M41]] || 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" | 60 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+19° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || 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''
 +
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Ammunition ====
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
+
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
|-
! 10m
+
| M332 shot || APCR || 321 || 316 || 292 || 265 || 240 || 218
! 100m
 
! 500m
 
! 1000m
 
! 1500m
 
! 2000m
 
 
|-
 
|-
| M332 shot || APCR || 271 || 270 || 245 || 217 || 192 || 170
+
| T142E3 || HESH || 102 || 102 || 102 || 102 || 102 || 102
 
|-
 
|-
| M82 shot || APCBC || 170 || 169 || 164 || 151 || 138 || 127
+
| M82 shot || APCBC || 185 || 182 || 170 || 155 || 142 || 130
 
|-
 
|-
 
| M431 shell || HEATFS || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320
 
| M431 shell || HEATFS || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320
|-  
+
|-
 
| M71 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 
| M71 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
|-
+
|-
| T142E3 || HESH || 102 || 102 || 102 || 102 || 102 || 102
 
|-  
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
Line 145: Line 95:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
+
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
''in m:''
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
''in mm:''
+
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 
 
|-
 
|-
! 0%
+
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
! 50%
 
! 100%
 
 
|-
 
|-
| M332 shot || 1178 || 5.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
+
| M332 shot || APCR || 1,249 || 5.70 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
|-
 
|-
| M82 shot || 853 || 11 || 1.2 || 20 || 137.2 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| T142E3 || HESH || 792 || 10.60 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 3,050 || 73° || 77° || 80°
 
|-
 
|-
| M431 shell || 1216 || 5.8 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 712.64 || +0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
+
| M82 shot || APCBC || 853 || 10.94 || 1.2 || 14.0 || 137.2 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-  
+
|-
| M71 shell || 823 || 11 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 925 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
+
| M431 shell || HEATFS || 1,216 || 5.80 || N/A || 0.1 || 712.6 || 65° || 72° || 77°
|-  
+
|-
| T142E3 || 792 || 11 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 792 || +0° || 73° || 77° || 80°
+
| M71 shell || HE || 823 || 10.55 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 925 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
+
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Ammunition
 
! Ammunition
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! Velocity<br>(m/s)
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
+
! Screen radius<br>(m)
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
+
! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
+
! Screen hold time<br>(s)
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
|-
 
|-
| M313 || 821 || 11 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50  
+
| M313 || 821 || 10.7 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== [[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_M48A1.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] for the M48A1.]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| 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" |5th<br /> rack empty
+
! 5th<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
+
! Visual<br>discrepancy
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |8th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
 
|-
 
|-
|| '''60''' || 54&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+22)'' || 30&nbsp;''(+30)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+48)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+59)'' || style="text-align:center" | No  
+
| '''60''' || 54&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+22)'' || 30&nbsp;''(+30)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+48)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+59)'' || 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|M85 (12.7 mm)|M73 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|M85 (12.7 mm)|M73 (7.62 mm)}}
  
* 12.7 mm [[M85_(12.7_mm)|M85]] heavy machine gun (Commander's cupola)
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
* 7.62 mm [[M73_(7.62_mm)|M73]] machine gun (coaxial)
+
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M85 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M85]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle || 900 (200) || 626 || -15°/+60° || ±180°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M73 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M73]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 5,950 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
The M48A1 plays as a general medium tank, acting as a jack-of-all-trades in all of the tank's traits with average armour, firepower, and mobility.
 +
 
 +
The M48A1 front hull glacis and turret are the strong points of the tank and have the best chance on the tank to bounce off rounds. However, its lower glacis and side armour remain a significant weak point for the tank, so take extra caution when exposing those weak points.
  
== Usage in the battles ==
+
One of the best ways to use this tank when a player does not have access to its HEATFS round is to refrain from using it as a brawler. This is because most of the shells that this tank has in its arsenal, do not have the ample firepower to eliminate most of the targets it faces at its BR. However, since the tank is incredibly mobile, it can be used as an excellent flanker. It can out-manoeuvre most of its medium tank rivals and expose their side armours.
<!--''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 M48A1 plays as a general medium tank, acting as a jack-of-all-trades in all of tank's traits with average armour, firepower, and mobility.
 
  
The M48A1 front hull glacis and turret are the strong points of the tank and have the best chance on the tanks to glance off rounds. However, lower glacis and side armour remain a significant weak point for the tank, so take extra caution against contemporary tanks.
+
=== Modules ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Tier
 +
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 +
! Protection
 +
! colspan="3" | Firepower
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Tracks
 +
|
 +
| Parts
 +
| Horizontal Drive
 +
| M82 shot
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| II
 +
| Suspension
 +
| Brake System
 +
| FPE
 +
| Adjustment of Fire
 +
| T142E3
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| III
 +
| Filters
 +
|
 +
| Crew Replenishment
 +
| Elevation Mechanism
 +
| M431 shell
 +
| NVD
 +
|-
 +
| IV
 +
| Transmission
 +
| Engine
 +
|
 +
| Artillery Support
 +
| M313
 +
| Rangefinder
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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".''-->
+
<!-- ''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:'''
* Very fast reload for the rank.
+
 
* Semi-hemispherical design removes shot traps seen on [[M47|M47 Patton]].
+
* Very fast reload for the rank
* Better sloped armour than its predecessors.
+
* Semi-hemispherical design removes shot traps seen on [[M47|M47 Patton]]
* Access to HEATFS when unlocked.
+
* Better sloped armour than its predecessors
* Strong roof armour of 57 mm on the hull.
+
* Access to HEATFS when unlocked
 +
* Strong roof armour of 57 mm on the hull
 +
 
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
* Quite underarmoured for the rank.
+
 
* Same ammunition stats as the M47, which may not be the best at the rank except the HEATFS round.
+
* Quite under armoured for the rank
* Slower turret traverse rate.
+
* Same ammunition stats as the M47, which may not be the best at the rank except the HEATFS round
* Painful stock grind due to having APCR as default ammo.
+
* Slower turret traverse rate
* Turret roof armour is 25 mm at its thinnest, which can allow even air attacks with heavy machine guns to penetrate at preferential conditions.
+
* Painful stock grind due to having APCR as default ammo
 +
* Turret roof armour is 25 mm at its thinnest, which can allow even air attacks with heavy machine guns to penetrate at preferential conditions
  
 
== 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 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===
In February 1951, Ordnance opted for a new tank design to modernize the [[M46]] and [[M47]] in the U.S. inventory. The tank was designated the ''90 mm Gun Tank T-48'' and featured a new hemispherical turret, new hull, and an improved suspension. The new design was also the first to remove the hull machine gunner position in American tanks, reducing the total crew from the usual 5 to 4. Further testing and trials with the T-48 design proved its worth and in April 1953, Ordnance standardized the design as the '''90 mm Gun Tank M48 Patton''', which would be the third in the [[Patton]] series, all named after General George S. Patton.
+
In February 1951, Ordnance opted for a new tank design to modernize the [[M46]] and [[M47]] in the U.S. inventory. The tank was designated the ''90 mm Gun Tank T-48'' and featured a new hemispherical turret, new hull, and an improved suspension. The new design was also the first to remove the hull machine gunner position in American tanks, reducing the total crew from the usual 5 to 4. Further testing and trials with the T-48 design proved its worth and in April 1953, Ordnance standardized the design as the '''90 mm Gun Tank M48 Patton''', which would be the third in the Patton series, all named after General George S. Patton.
  
Production started in 1952 with the original ''M48'' models. During the initial production run, several hundreds of the M48s were found to not be up to the standard protection ratings it should be, these were relegated to training tanks as the ''M48C''. The model was developed into the '''M48A1''' with a redesigned driver hatch and commander's cupola that integrates a .50 cal machine gun for the commander to use. Next variant was the ''M48A2'' with an improved power pack and transmission, along with a new rear plate and improved turret control. The M48A1 models improved with the M48A2 specifications in 1959, up to 1,019 were converted and are labeled the ''M48A3''. The last major model was the ''M48A5'', which is a upgrade of the M48 models in the 1970s with a the [[M68_(105_mm)|105 mm Gun M68]], up to 2,069 converted. In total, about 12,000 M48 models were produced in all from the time period of 1952 to 1959.
+
Production started in 1952 with the original ''M48'' models. During the initial production run, several hundreds of the M48s were found to not be up to the standard protection ratings it should be, these were relegated to training tanks as the ''M48C''. The model was developed into the '''M48A1''' with a redesigned driver hatch and commander's cupola that integrates a .50 cal machine gun for the commander to use. Next variant was the ''M48A2'' with an improved power pack and transmission, along with a new rear plate and improved turret control. The M48A1 models improved with the M48A2 specifications in 1959, up to 1,019 were converted and are labelled the ''M48A3''. The last major model was the ''M48A5'', which is an upgrade of the M48 models in the 1970s with a [[M68_(105_mm)|105 mm Gun M68]], up to 2,069 converted. In total, about 12,000 M48 models were produced in all from the time period of 1952 to 1959.
  
 
===Combat usage===
 
===Combat usage===
The Americans mainly used the M48A3 Patton tanks in Vietnam, with 600 models deployed. Each battalions in the US Army and Marines armed with the M48 Pattons had 57 tanks each. The Armored Cavalry Squadrons were initially armed with M48s before they were replaced by the lighter [[M551|M551 Sheridan]]. A flamethrower variant was developed from the M48, which became known as the ''M67A1 "Zippo"''. The M48 also strengthened the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces by supplementing their [[M41A1|M41A1 Walker Bulldog]] light tanks. The main armour conflicts between the North and South Vietnamese forces usually involved a armour mix of [[T-54_(1951)|T-54]]/[[PT-76B]] for the North and M48 Pattons/M41A1 Bulldogs for the South. In the conflicts, an incident in 23 April 1972 had a NVA anti-tank force with the new 9M14M Malyutka [[Anti-tank_guided_missiles|anti-tank guided missile]] destroy a M48 Patton, marking one of the early uses of the wide-spread infantry anti-tank missiles. Despite that, the M48s performed favorably in the Southern forces. Even after US forces withdrew from South Vietnam and North Vietnam started the Ho Chi Minh Offensive in 1975, the M48s left in the ARVN hands were able to hold back the assaulting [[T-34-85|T-34]] and T-54/55 tanks, only falling when supplies ran out. After the war, the Americans mainly replaced their main tanks with the [[M60|M60 Patton]].
+
The Americans mainly used the M48A3 Patton tanks in Vietnam, with 600 models deployed. Each battalion in the US Army and Marines armed with the M48 Patton had 57 tanks each. The Armored Cavalry Squadrons were initially armed with M48s before they were replaced by the lighter [[M551|M551 Sheridan]]. A flamethrower variant was developed from the M48, which became known as the ''M67A1 "Zippo"''. The M48 also strengthened the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces by supplementing their [[M41A1|M41A1 Walker Bulldog]] light tanks. The main armour conflicts between the North and South Vietnamese forces usually involved an armour mix of [[T-54_(1951)|T-54]]/[[PT-76B]] for the North and M48 Pattons/M41A1 Bulldogs for the South. In the conflicts, an incident on 23 April 1972 had an NVA anti-tank force with the new 9M14M Malyutka [[Anti-tank_guided_missiles|anti-tank guided missile]] destroy an M48 Patton, marking one of the early uses of the wide-spread infantry anti-tank missiles. Despite that, the M48s performed favourably in the Southern forces. Even after US forces withdrew from South Vietnam and North Vietnam started the Ho Chi Minh Offensive in 1975, the M48s left in the ARVN hands were able to hold back the assaulting [[T-34-85|T-34]] and T-54/55 tanks, only falling when supplies ran out. After the war, the Americans mainly replaced their main tanks with the [[M60|M60 Patton]].
  
Like with most of American equipment, the M48s were supplied to NATO allies across the world to assist in their conflicts. They became involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and 1971 in the hands of Pakistan along with some [[M47|M47s]] against India's [[Centurion_Mk_3|Centurions]]. Its overall performance in the conflicts was that they performed very well in the battlefield, only failing due to the poor tactics used by the armour forces. The M48s also saw service in the Middle Eastern conflicts. It was notably used in the conflicts against Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in the hands of the Israelis and Jordanian Army. The Israels upgraded their M48s with the 105 mm guns, about 5 years earlier than the Americans, and fight against the Egyptian Soviet-supplied armour. They also saw use in the Lebanese Civil War in the hands of nearly all sides involved. They were also used in Turkey's military in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The M48s were also used in Iranian hands in the Iran-Iraq war against Soviet-supplied weaponry in Iraq's hands. Morocco also received a hundred M48A5 Pattons from America in 1987. One of the most recent conflicts the M48s were used were in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 when assisting the stranded US Rangers and Delta Force in the city.
+
Like with most of the American equipment, the M48s were supplied to NATO allies across the world to assist in their conflicts. They became involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and 1971 in the hands of Pakistan along with some [[M47|M47s]] against India's [[Centurion_Mk_3|Centurions]]. Its overall performance in the conflicts was that they performed very well in the battlefield, only failing due to the poor tactics used by the armour forces. The M48s also saw service in the Middle Eastern conflicts. It was notably used in the conflicts against Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in the hands of the Israelis and Jordanian Army. The Israels upgraded their M48s with the 105 mm guns, about 5 years earlier than the Americans, and fight against the Egyptian Soviet-supplied armour. They also saw use in the Lebanese Civil War in the hands of nearly all sides involved. They were also used in Turkey's military in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The M48s were also used in Iranian hands in the Iran-Iraq war against Soviet-supplied weaponry in Iraq's hands. Morocco also received a hundred M48A5 Pattons from America in 1987. One of the most recent conflicts the M48s were used was in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 when assisting the stranded US Rangers and Delta Force in the city.
  
The M48s were used by 19 different countries in the world during its service life, of which 9 countries still use in varying quantities. Despite being rather outdated in the later part of the Cold War, which warranted its replacement by the M60, it help supplemented the forces around the world in their conflicts. With many models remain in inventory across the world, it still proves a valuable weapon against countries without advanced anti-tank weaponry.
+
The M48s were used by 19 different countries in the world during its service life, of which 9 countries still use in varying quantities. Despite being rather outdated in the later part of the Cold War, which warranted its replacement by the M60, the M48 help supplemented the forces around the world in their conflicts. With many models remain in inventory across the world, it still proves a valuable weapon against countries without advanced anti-tank weaponry.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
<!--''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''-->
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
[https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=#m48a1 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M48A1 series from live.warthunder.com.]
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=#m48a1 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M48A1 series from live.warthunder.com.]
  
== Read 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;''
 
* ''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.''
 
  
== Sources ==
+
== 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;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{USA medium tanks}}

Revision as of 17:56, 27 July 2020

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
M48A1
us_m48a1_patton_iii.png
M48A1
AB RB SB
7.7 7.7 7.7
Class:
Research:48 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the American medium tank M48A1. For the version in the German tree, see M48A2 G A2.

Description

GarageImage M48A1.jpg


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

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

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

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

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

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

Notes:

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

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 50 10 44.9 1,255 1,545 27.95 34.41
Realistic 45 9 716 810 15.95 18.04

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M41 (90 mm)
90 mm M41 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 60 -9°/+19° ±180° N/A 22.85 31.62 38.40 42.47 45.18 9.75 8.63 7.95 7.50
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.40 22.56 24.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M332 shot APCR 321 316 292 265 240 218
T142E3 HESH 102 102 102 102 102 102
M82 shot APCBC 185 182 170 155 142 130
M431 shell HEATFS 320 320 320 320 320 320
M71 shell HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M332 shot APCR 1,249 5.70 N/A N/A N/A 66° 70° 72°
T142E3 HESH 792 10.60 0.4 0.1 3,050 73° 77° 80°
M82 shot APCBC 853 10.94 1.2 14.0 137.2 48° 63° 71°
M431 shell HEATFS 1,216 5.80 N/A 0.1 712.6 65° 72° 77°
M71 shell HE 823 10.55 0.1 0.5 925 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 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M48A1
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
60 54 (+6) 38 (+22) 30 (+30) 12 (+48) (+59) No

Machine guns

12.7 mm M85
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 900 (200) 626 -15°/+60° ±180°
7.62 mm M73
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 5,950 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

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

The M48A1 front hull glacis and turret are the strong points of the tank and have the best chance on the tank to bounce off rounds. However, its lower glacis and side armour remain a significant weak point for the tank, so take extra caution when exposing those weak points.

One of the best ways to use this tank when a player does not have access to its HEATFS round is to refrain from using it as a brawler. This is because most of the shells that this tank has in its arsenal, do not have the ample firepower to eliminate most of the targets it faces at its BR. However, since the tank is incredibly mobile, it can be used as an excellent flanker. It can out-manoeuvre most of its medium tank rivals and expose their side armours.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive M82 shot
II Suspension Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire T142E3
III Filters Crew Replenishment Elevation Mechanism M431 shell NVD
IV Transmission Engine Artillery Support M313 Rangefinder

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very fast reload for the rank
  • Semi-hemispherical design removes shot traps seen on M47 Patton
  • Better sloped armour than its predecessors
  • Access to HEATFS when unlocked
  • Strong roof armour of 57 mm on the hull

Cons:

  • Quite under armoured for the rank
  • Same ammunition stats as the M47, which may not be the best at the rank except the HEATFS round
  • Slower turret traverse rate
  • Painful stock grind due to having APCR as default ammo
  • Turret roof armour is 25 mm at its thinnest, which can allow even air attacks with heavy machine guns to penetrate at preferential conditions

History

Development

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

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

Combat usage

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

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

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

Media

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the tank;
  • other literature.


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