- Yes
- No
TL;DR: Domestic Spanish upgrade of M47s, upgraded to carry the 105mm L7
History
Following the end of WWII, the UN — then comprised of 51 member states — rejected the admission of Spain into its ranks, due to Franco’s fascist regime and the assistance Spain provided to Germany and the other Axis powers during the war. They passed a resolution to exclude Spain from all international bodies lead by the UN. However, with the outbreak of the Cold War, it became more tempting for Western powers, primarily the US, to forge closer ties with Spain, because of both strategic geography (access to the Mediterranean) and ideological alignment (anti-communism). This lead to the signing of the Madrid Pact in 1953 between US and Spanish officials. The pact would provide Spain with US military equipment to modernise their army, which was in poor shape (as well as provide industrial equipment and have Spain host four US military bases).
Among the multitude of armoured vehicles received from the US, Spain obtained a total of 411 M47 Pattons over a decade-long period, with the first delivery in February 1954. The M47 was the most modern tank in the Spanish Army for a decade, until the arrival of the M48 in 1965. In 1975, Chrysler S.A. offered an upgrade to the M47s, replacing the engine with a diesel Continental AVDS-1790-2A (the same engine as on the M48A3-A5 series). This upgrade was very similar to that carried out by BMY on Iran and Pakistan’s fleet of M47s, which was designated M47M. Other modifications included the removal of the bow machine and assistant loader. Two variants were built: the M47E and M47E1 (sometimes written as M-47E / M-47E1). The M47E had a different gas outlet, but the two variants were otherwise identical. 329 tanks were upgraded from 1975 to 1980 — 100 M47Es and 229 M47E1s.
- M47E1
In the latter half of the 1970s, Peugeot–Talbot proposed a further upgrade of the M47E/E1s. The upgrade consisted of a 105mm Rh-105-30, upgrade of the engine to the 1790-2D model, TEESS engine exhaust smoke system, and smoke grenade launchers. 46 M47s were upgraded to this standard. They were only briefly in service, the last being retired in 1993, along with all other M47 variants.
Note
The Italian M47 105/55 in-game is incorrectly modeled. However, the claims that it is actually a Spanish M47E2 model are wrong, and based on misidentification of the M47 with 105mm at the Israeli museum of Yad La-Shiryon (Latrun). This vehicle is actually a domestic Israeli modification based on a captured Jordanian vehicle, designated M47 RKM — not Spanish, although the upgrades were very similar.
- M47 RKM
Characteristics
The M47E2 is fitted with an unstabilised 105mm Rh-105-30 cannon. It can fire all NATO standard 105mm ammunition, including DM13 or M392A2 APDS penetrating 350mm @ 0° @ 10m, as well as DM12 or M456 HEAT-FS, penetrating 400mm @ 0°. 42 rounds of ammunition are carried. The M47E2 has a coaxial 7.62mm MG3, with 2500 rounds of ammunition. Four smoke grenade launchers are located on either side of the turret, for a total of eight. The turret was also fitted with an optical rangefinder.
- M47E2 prototype
The M47E2 is adequately-armoured, with hull armour up to 101mm on the front, and 76mm at the sides. The turret is roughly the same, with up to 121mm on the front and 63mm on the sides.
The M47E2 features the AVDS-1790-2D engine, producing 760hp, connected to an Allison CD-850-6A transmission with six forward and two reverse gears. The tank has a combat weight of 46.7t, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 16.3hp/t. The M47E2 can reach a top speed of 56km/h.
Conclusion
The M47E2 would be a very similar vehicle to the Italian M47 105/55, but nonetheless with some differences (namely a better top speed and smoke grenades) — it would still go at a BR of 7.7. It would fit either as part of a Greco-Iberian tech tree, or alternatively if Spain is never going to be added as a sub- or main-nation, as an American or Italian premium/event vehicle.
Specifications
Armament
- 105mm Rh-105-30
- Unstabilised
- 42 rounds
- DM13 APDS
- 350mm at 0° at 10m
- DM12 HEAT-FS
- 400mm at 0° at 10m
- DM512 HESH
- 127mm at 0° at 10m
- 1x 7.62mm MG3 coaxial
- 2500 rounds
Armour
- Turret
- 101 / 76 / 25mm
- Hull
- 121 / 63 / 76mm
Mobility
- Speed
- 56km/h
- Weight
- 46.7t
- Engine power
- 760hp, 16.3hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 4
- Smoke grenades
- 8 launchers
- Engine smoke generator system (ESS)
Images
Sources
Spoiler
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1991–92. Christopher F Foss. p. 99
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1994–95. Christopher F Foss. pp. 77–79
AMIGOS DE TRUBIA: Los primos del M47E
Spanish State and Kingdom of Spain (Cold War) - Tank Encyclopedia
