Further development continued, and the result was the M47, with production beginning in 1951.
Large numbers were shipped to client states notably South Korea.
However, it was also criticized for its short operating range of just 70 miles.
U.S. Marines of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, riding on an M-48 medium tank in Vietnam. Image: NARA
Enter the M48 the Ultimate Patton?
The M48 had much of the same automotive characteristics as the M47, as well as its 90mm gun.
In many ways, the M48 was the first truly modern American tank.
General George S. Patton was a pioneer in the development of U.S. tank units and tactics. His influence in the use of armor cannot be understated. Image: NARA
Many are still in service around the globe today.
That is a true testament to the design.
As a result, tank crews would fit sections of track on the sides to provide extra defense.
The M26 Pershing tank was a predecessor of the M48 Patton. This one is shown in combat against communist forces outside a village in Korea on September 4, 1950. Image:Sgt. F.C. Kerr/U.S.M.C.
The commander and gun were positioned on the right, while the loader was on the left.
The spacious turret provided ample room for the loader to do his work with ease.
The first notable enhanced model was the M48A1, which was equipped with an improved commanders cupola.
Another forerunner to the M48 was the M47 Patton, shown here at the 4th Infantry Division Museum at Fort Carson in Colorado.
It allowed the M2HB 12.7mm machine gun to be operated and reloaded from within the vehicle.
The M48A2 variant subsequently featured an improved powerplant and transmission.
The M48A5 featured a turbo diesel engine and an improved operational range that now surpassed 300 miles.
U.S. Marines and their M48 tank in a March 1967 operation supporting 2d Battalion, 26th Marines south of Da Nang. Image: PFC Warren E. Wilson/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
Additionally, the coax machine gun was updated to the M219 chambered for the 7.62 NATO cartridge.
Hed probably have mixed feelings, to be honest.
Instead, a number were employed as war memorials after the conflict.
A M48A3 tank belonging to the 1st Battalion, 69th Armored, 25th Infantry Division moves through a destroyed Viet Cong camp located South of Pleiku, Vietnam. Image: NARA
Interestingly, too, the M48s baptism of fire against other tanks occurred in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.
In the U.S., the M48 was replaced by the M60.
In turn, that model gave way to the M1 Abrams.
An M48 Patton tank climbs a steep incline during a sweep and clear operation 13 miles south of Da Nang. Image: SSgt. Bob Bowen/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
However, other countries retain the American medium tanks in their inventories.
An M48 supports infantry during the Battle of Hue on February 12, 1968. The wall on the right is part of the Imperial City. Image: SSgt. J. L. Harlan/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
Equipped with a bulldozer blade, this M48 of the 1st Tank Battalion carves a road for Leathernecks during an operation south of Da Nang. Image: PFC Warren E. Wilson/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
In September 1967, a convoy of Marine M48 tanks moves along a dirt road south of the demilitarized zone between Dong Ha and Con Thien, Vietnam. Image: SSgt. G. R. Smith/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
Marines use a Patton tank as cover as they advance during street fighting in Hue, February 1968. Image: SSgt. Jack L. Harlan/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
M48 tanks of the 3d Marine Division rumble through the mud heading to their company area at Con Thien. Image: LCpl. Don Barr/U.S.M.C.,CC BY 2.0
Korean soldiers move out incamouflaged M113 APCsand M48 tanks during the joint South Korean/US Exercise Team Spirit ’84. Image: NARA
General Patton would likely have been pleased with the M48 tank’s design and service. The General is shown here during the Sicily Campaign in 1943.
Two South Korean M48 tanks advance down a road during the joint South Korean/U.S. Exercise Team Spirit ’89 on March 24, 1989. Image: NARA
