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TL;DR: An M48A2 C experimentally fitted with the 90mm M36 cannon found on the M47.
History:
After WW2, Germany was split into two halves, East and West. The end of WW2 also brought about NATO and immediately after the signing of the treaty that brought it into existence, the question about West Germany’s entrance into the organization was brought up. West Germany’s entrance into NATO would essentially mean that Germany would be allowed to rearm itself, which wasn’t a popular decision with many parties for obvious reasons, however, it was eventually reasoned that German engineers were some of the best in the world and if led properly, they could become an incredibly strong ally. It was decided that the most logical course of action was to rearm both sides. The West would enter NATO on May 9th, 1955, with the Bundeswehr being created only a few months later on November 12th, 1955. To be able to defend itself, it was predicted that the Bundeswehr would need at least 3,000 tanks the first 1,100 of these would be M47s cheaply acquired from the US. After evaluating the Centurion Mk. VII and the M48A1 in 1957, it was decided that the remaining 1,900 tanks would be M48s, the first of which would be M48A1s, however, these tanks wouldn’t serve for long as they were soon replaced by M48A2s and M48A2 Cs, which had the more powerful and efficient Continental AVI-1790-8 engine, which produced 825 gross horsepower. These vehicles would eventually be given smoke dischargers as well as an IR searchlight. At some point after these upgrades were standardized, a single M48A2 C would have its 90mm M41 cannon experimentally replaced by the older 90mm M36 cannon that the M47 used. The exact reason for this experiment is ultimately unknown. Compared to the M41, the M36 cannon is heavier, clunkier, and harder to service. Maybe it was made as a proof of concept. Maybe it was made as a way to ease German crews from the M47 into the M48. We may never know. What we do know is that this M48A2 C was never reconverted as it stands as part of the Munster Tank Museum’s outdoor section.
Place In War Thunder:
Squadron vehicles have been a vehicle type in-game for quite a while now, yet the majority of the newer squadron vehicles are at very high tiers. This not only results in unpleasantly long research times, but also allows less experienced players to buy in to the higher ranks with a stock vehicle causing the losses of countless games. High tier premiums are also guilty of this but at least they aren’t stock. There hasn’t been a good low/mid tier squadron vehicle added for quite a while and this seemingly normal looking M48A2 C could be a good fit. Many players dislike the M48 series of vehicles, not because they’re bad, no. The main issue is its horrendous case of stock syndrome. When you first get your hands on an M48, your only rounds are APCR and HE, neither of which are at all reliable at taking out the majority of enemies you’re expected to face. The M47, on the other hand, gets access to an APBC, the post-pen damage of which is significantly greater than any APCR. What if you could combine the mobility of the M48A2 C with the easier stock grind of the M47? You get the best of both worlds with the only losses being an APCR and HESH shell. As previously stated, the best place for this tank would be as a squadron vehicle. It’s a very familiar vehicle with a small unique twist.
Specifications:
Armament: 90mm M36 cannon, 1x .30 cal, and 1x .50 cal
Dimensions: 9.30m, 3.65m, 3.10m
Weight: 45010kg
Armor: Same as M48A1 in-game
Crew: 4
Ammunition: Same as M47 in-game
Speed: 48kph
Horsepower: 825hp
Picture:
As It Is Today:
Sources:
Munster Deutsches Panzermuseum Немецкий танковый музей в г. Мунстер танки вермахта
Der Kampfpanzer M 48 in der Bundeswehr by Stefan Marx
Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank by R.P. Hunnicutt