The M48 Patton tank emerged from the US Army’s desire for an improved successor to the M47, particularly addressing the vulnerability of its turret to shot traps and the need for enhanced hull armor. Initiated before the Korean War, the development process led to a significantly redesigned vehicle that, while visually similar to earlier Pattons, was essentially a new tank. Designated the M48, it boasted a new hull, a redesigned hemispherical turret that eliminated the shot traps, and an improved suspension system. This marked a substantial step forward in American tank design, incorporating lessons learned from previous models and anticipating the evolving threats of the Cold War era.
The initial production models of the M48, along with the subsequent M48A1 variant, were powered by a gasoline engine. This choice, while providing adequate power, presented significant drawbacks, notably a limited operational range and an increased risk of fire. To address these concerns and improve the tank’s reliability and survivability, later versions underwent a critical change in their power plant. Starting with the M48A2, the gasoline engine was replaced with a more efficient and less flammable diesel engine. This shift significantly enhanced the tank’s range and reduced the potential for catastrophic fires, making it a safer and more practical vehicle for prolonged operations.
The M48A3 represented a further significant evolution of the Patton series. This variant was largely a conversion of earlier M48 and M48A1 models, incorporating numerous improvements, most notably the adoption of a diesel engine as seen in the M48A2. The M48A3 gained prominence through its extensive deployment during the Vietnam War, where it served in various crucial roles. These included providing direct fire support for infantry, clearing roads and dense vegetation (“jungle busting”), and ensuring the security of vital supply convoys. The M48A3 proved to be a robust and effective platform in the challenging conditions of Southeast Asia, highlighting the success of the design improvements implemented over the earlier gasoline-powered versions.
Initial attempts to modernize the M48 involved the creation of the M48A4 prototypes, which mated M48A3 hulls with the M60’s turret and its more powerful 105mm cannon. This initiative aimed to significantly enhance the Patton’s firepower compared to its original 90mm gun, utilizing surplus M60 turrets intended for the ultimately unsuccessful M60A2. The concept of a 105 mm-equipped M48 was revisited, culminating in the 1975 introduction of the M48A5 Patton III. This variant successfully integrated a 105mm cannon within an M60 turret onto the M48 chassis.
Despite never seeing combat with the US Army, the M48A5 primarily served with the Army National Guard for domestic training, with limited participation in international exercises. However, several other nations, including Israel, Spain, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, and West Germany, developed their own near identical versions of a 105 mm-armed M48. Unconfirmed reports also suggest potential US shipments of M48A5s to Israel. In War Thunder, the current M48A1 is often overlooked due to its limited capabilities and optional progression status. Introducing the M48A5 with its superior 105mm gun could offer players a more compelling and competitive vehicle.
The M48A5 Patton III was primarily armed with the M68 105mm rifled cannon, a significant upgrade from the earlier 90mm guns found on previous M48 variants. This 105mm gun provided a substantial increase in firepower and allowed the M48A5 to engage a wider range of threats more effectively, utilizing various types of ammunition, including armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high-explosive squash head (HESH) rounds, and Smoke shells. For secondary armament, the M48A5 typically featured a 7.62mm M240 (or M219 on some models) machine gun mounted coaxially alongside the main cannon, providing a close-range defense against infantry and lightly armored vehicles. Additionally, a .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun was usually mounted on the commander’s cupola for anti-aircraft and anti-personnel purposes.
The M48A5 represented a significant advancement within the Patton III lineage, boasting enhanced capabilities that made it a formidable platform. Notably, it could be equipped with an M8 bulldozer kit, providing a crucial self-entrenching capability for creating defensive positions and simultaneously reducing its silhouette for improved survivability. Furthermore, the M48A5 could mount a Xenon visible/infrared spotlight, granting it a substantial advantage in nighttime operations by enabling visibility without the need for conventional headlights, thus reducing its visible detectability at night.
Designation: M48A5
Amount produced: Approx. 2570 (upgraded from previous models 1975-1979)
Mobility
Top speed: 30mph/48kph on paved flat ground
HP: 750 hp at 2400 rpm
Crew: 4
Weight: 49.01 tons (rounded up to the nearest hundredth)
Fuel amount: 1420 L
Turning radius: none (neutral steering)
Weaponry
This section pertains to ammunition and detailed specifications on the turret, and the stats shown are based on the M48A5 with all modifications unlocked and without taking into account crew level/skills.
M68 105mm
Stabilized: No
Ammo types:
APDS- Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (M39A2)
HEATFS- High Explosive Anti-Tank Fin Stabilized (M456)
HESH- High Explosive Squash Head (M393A2)
Smoke- Smoke (shell name unknown)
Turret:
Horizontal traverse: 360 degrees ( 16.8 degrees a second)
Frontal vertical traverse: -9 to 19 degrees (2.8 degrees a second)
Rear vertical traverse: Unknown to 19 degrees (2.8 degrees a second)
The rear downwards vertical traverse is limited due to the raised engine deck
12.7mm Machine gun mount:
Ammo: 9x 100 round belts (900 total)
Horizontal traverse: 360 degrees ( 16.8 degrees a second)
Vertical traverse: -15 to 60 degrees (10.5 degrees a second)
M219 7.62mm coax:
Ammo: 250 rounds (6000 total)
traverse: None (follows the rotation of the turret)
Armor
Front hull: 101-120mm
Front turret: 110mm
Sides turret: 76mm
Sides hull: 51-76mm
Bottom: 63mm
Top turret: 25mm
Top: hull: 57mm
Features a Spall liner of unknown material (but likely aluminum)
- Yes
- No
- Yes folder it with the m47/m48
- No it should be on its own
Sources
90mm Gun Tank M48 Patton 48 (lists the technical manual in the references, but I am unable to find a free version of the TM anywhere) The technical manual number: TM 9-2350-258-10 C5
Jane’s Armor and Artillery Upgrades 2002 (thanks to Armen Lozone, see his comment for that info here: M48A5, The training Patton III with a bite! (suggestion draft))
AAF American Armored Foundation Tank Museum - US Tanks - M48A5 Patton Tank
