Well, I don’t see why we can’t just nitpick the indigenous upgrades or modifications implemented by Thailand (TIFCS, Blazer ERA, applique log armor) while simultaneously leaving out anything that originated from the U.S. (M48A5PI, M60A1 Rise, M60A3 TTS).
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And even then, the M48A5PI isn’t in game, so it would still be new, while the regular M60A1 RISE and M60A3 TTS can get the Blazer ERA and “WERA” as modifications so they get their representation too.
That’d be all Thai Pattons without a single C&P vehicle
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I’ve visited this topic many times and only now noticed this…
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Hey I like the Pattons :(
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That would be nice. Let’s hope Gaijin goes for these unique additions
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What I am more excited for though is more Thai AA options for the Japanese Tech Tree!
M61A1 Vulcan Prototype SPAA
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Hell yes I want that thing lol
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Didn’t they also have ADATS at some point?
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Yep but its stationary afaik, never fitted onto a chassis. Other people might know more about it though.
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M35 truck equipped with a M61 Vulcan taken from retired A-7 Corsair II.
Since it’s just a testbed, the weapon system appears to be controlled externally, with no fire control system installed inside the truck. However, for the sake of gameplay over realism, they could probably place the gunner inside the driver’s cab anyway, similar to the Type 81.
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Since we appear to be on the topic of Thailand, may I bring up a selection of very interesting vehicles posted by user @MahaLaiMahaLok around this time last year in the Siam-Thailand lineups thread. I feel like these were kind of forgotten so I feel obliged to bring light to them again.
Vehicles of most interest to me include:
Dodge M37 w/ M39A2 20mm autocannon presumably taken from an F-5E jet
M41A3 w/ Cockerill Mk IV cannon, similar to the M41A1UR from Uruguay.
I have to wonder if this is a Thai-made modification though, or perhaps an overseas trial of an original Cockerill prototype for the aforementioned Uruguay upgrade.
An M35 truck with some sort of 105mm MLRS. I do have to wonder if this can use 105mm recoilless rifle HEAT rounds as well.
Also mounted in smaller form on an M37
There are a few more vehicles in the thread I linked, but I think it would be nice to get some more sources on them outside of just photos, Maha claims that they were mostly found in a Thai defense magazine.
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Let’s not forget about meme vehicles.
This fires the DTI-2 122mm rockets and is mounted on the Type 85 tracked APC
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BTW does anyone have any documents on the Chi-Ri autoloader? I noticed there aren’t any accepted bug reports on the matter, and it needs to be fixed still
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Royal Thai Army M48A5PI
The M48A5PI, or “M48A5 Production Improvement,” was a designation used temporarily for M48A5 tanks that received several significant upgrades to improve their combat capabilities. These improvements were driven by the increasing obsolescence of the earlier M48 tank models and aimed to bring the M48A5 closer in line with the capabilities of newer tanks like the M60 series.
Key Features:
- The large M1 cupola, a signature feature of earlier M48 tanks, was replaced with a low-profile model designed by Israel’s Urdan Associated Steel Foundries.
- The M48A5PI was equipped with the 105mm M68 gun, the same gun used on the M60 tank, replacing the older and less effective 90mm gun.
- The tank commander and loader were equipped with M60D machine guns, replacing the previous .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun for the commander.
- Ammunition stowage for the main gun was increased from 43 to 54 rounds
- Older M48A5 tanks were retrofitted with these features over time, and the M48A5PI designation was eventually dropped, standardizing the entire fleet under the M48A5 name.
The M48A5PI served as a bridge between the older M48 and the more modern M60 tanks. By incorporating the 105mm gun and other advanced features, the M48A5PI extended the service life of the M48 platform, allowing it to remain relevant on the battlefield.
http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html
According to Wikipedia, the Royal Thai Army operates a fleet of 105 M48A5 main battle tanks.
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Thai upgraded M48A5 with Israeli FCS-10.
The Thai Army has conducted field training with the M48A5 tanks using the FCS-10 fire control system, which was repaired and upgraded by Thai engineers and local companies. This system includes laser rangefinders, ballistic computers, day and night observation systems, turret controls, gun stabilization (STAB), and hydraulic and electrical systems. Similar upgrades were made to the M60A1 tanks. By maintaining and upgrading these systems domestically, Thailand reduces reliance on foreign support and saves over 3 billion baht compared to purchasing new fire control systems for the M48A5, M60A1, M60A3, and Type 32 tanks.
It seems this modernized variant has no specific designation, and since the upgrades are primarily internal, it is difficult to distinguish an upgraded vehicle from the outside.
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Interesting! I was not aware that Thai M48s received an FCS upgrade of this sort, I would definitely hope to see it in place of the A5PI variant.
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