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.
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.
“True AP rounds, though a rarity, were available to the gun. Field reports of their use are unavailable, though a technical booklet concerning the guns ammunition types can be found. (See Links & Resources section)”
There was also this great report about various weapon systems which Americans only got their hands on mainland Japan.
Already with a quick look I found bunch of possible things to report:
Chi-Ha 120mm
-ammo load 23 → 27
-“gun operated by one only man” Probably means 4 man crew?
-elevation 15 → 20
Chi-Nu
-electrically controlled turret (oops this is already in game, but just very slow for some reason)
-elevation 20 → 45 (this was probably from the towed gun)
Ho-Ni III
-elevation 20 → 45 (same as above)
-“traverses approximately 15 degrees each direction” It’s 10 in game. (other document gives 10)
First one is the base vehicle at 7.3 and 7.7 RB/AB.
Japan has a few 7.3 vehicles and a dozen of 6.7 vehicles are powerful enough to support it, but it still needs a SPAAG. It would not been the case if the Type 87 RCV P was not stupidly placed at 7.7 and being useless.
For the upgraded vehicle i could see it placed at maybe 8.0 given the lack of radar like the Type 87 AW and weaker firepower.
Although the vehicle is technically unmanned given the gunner is below the turret unlike the original M163 or Machbet + thermal imaging sight so it could be at a higher BR.
Also here are a complilation of mobile SAM options.
Swedish RBS 70, British Starstreak HVM & Russian Igla-S
Absolutely, tech tree BR gaps are far too big for alot of nations and Japan is definitely one of them. Be nice to see it get a proper sub tree along with France so they can be filled out in areas desperately needed.
This must be a Christmas gift for our community! Someone just discovered the only video of the Type 74 105mm SPH, and it’s not just any video—it’s footage of what appears to be a rapid-firing test! This suggests the Type 74 is capable of firing every 5 seconds, or 12 rounds per minute. This is hugee😮
Also my Type 16 C5 is selected for this month, i really hope it gets added soon, i want to see this chassis dominating Japanese high rank just like in real life.
Maybe 10 rpm is the optimal speed and default settings, but it is capable of firing faster than so hence the ‘‘or more’’.
Edit: The same way it is written in the Type 99 document which suggests it firing at 6 rpm or 10 sec per reload.
But thanks to a video of its auto-loader which showed that it is capable of reload much faster at about 7.5 sec and Gaijin was generous enough to based its reload on the video and not its document otherwise we would definitely have had the Type 99 locked at 10 second.
On the right, it appears to be an M3 Halftrack, but with something in the bed that sort of resembles the M45 Quadmount? You can see a 40mm Bofors sticking up in the middle, so another AA system in this photo wouldn’t be out of place.
Speaking of the 40mm Bofors, here is one on a CCKW truck, although judging by the allied star and American flag I suspect it could be from visiting U.S. troops.
At the very end of the Facebook account I was scolling, I came across this these AA trucks. The guns are probably Vickers, but as we can see in the first images there are two mounted, so at least it has a bit of firepower, possibly for a Rank 0 expansion.
As I later find out, through Tank Encyclopedia nonetheless, Thailand did in fact operate M16s, and with a new 147hp engine at that. I think that this minor upgrade with its accompanying Thai camos would be a nice replacement for the Japanese one we have now.
In addition, the link provided by TE brought me to a blogpost containing a very peculiar image
The leftmost halftrack immediately reminded me of a vehicle presented by @Nikolai_Kachorn in his Thai ground subtree suggestion, however, the barrel appears to be longer, even so that it is obscured by the rear wall. Presuming by the gunshield that it was similarly taken off a boat, it might not be too hard to find a match.
