M47 Patton (Patton 1)

The M47 Patton was an interim solution developed during the Korean conflict,
though it was a system that did not see action in that war.

Designation: M47 Patton (Patton 1)
Classification Type: Medium Tank
Contractor: Detroit Tank Arsenal / American Locomotive Company, USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1951.

The M47 Patton tank saw a short life in frontline service, being replaced
promptly by the M48 Pattons as early as 1953 (the M47s entered service in
1951. Because of their short life, they did not see any combat service in
the Korean War, where only some M46 Pattons (200) saw service.

The M47's, much like their M46 Patton counterparts, served more as a stop
gap than a final solution. They would be replaced from frontline service as
soon as the M48 Pattons became available. Unlike the M46 however (which was
basically a modernized WW2-era M26 Pershing), the M47 held only a few of the
M46/M26 features, and the beginning of the 'true' Patton series of tanks
would have to wait for the introduction of the M48.

The M47 Patton featured a crew of five (later to be decreased to four after
the assistant driver position was deleted), a 90mm main gun and increased
ballsitics protection for the crew.

A modernization program in the 1960's increased the life of the weapon
system, more notably for the export nations that took on the US interim
design.

The M47 Patton pictured above was used by the 1st Division Troops during the
occupation of Germany after World War II. Like the M46, the M47 is also
named after famed World War Two US General George S. Patton, Jr.

Variants:
M47 - Base Production Model Series Designation; may also be known as the
"Patton 1".
M47M - Crew decreased to 4; More projectile storage. Locally-produced
Iranian version as well.
M47E1 - More powerful diesel engine
M47E2 - 105mm main gun
M102 - Engineer Platform mounting a short-barrel 105mm main gun and dozer
blade at front.
T66 - Flamethrower projector platform development; never produced.

Specifications: M47 Patton
Dimensions:
Length: 27.89ft (8.50m)
Width:11.52ft (3.51m)
Height: 10.99ft (3.35m)
Performance:
Speed: 30mph (48km/h)
Range: 81miles (130km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 5
Weight: 50.9 US Short Tons (46,170kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: No
Nightvision: Optional
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x Continental AV-1790-5B series V-12 air-cooled petrol
generating 810hp @ 2,800rpm

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 90mm main gun
1 x 12.7mm air defense machine-gun
1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine-gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun

Ammunition:
71 x 90mm projectiles
440 x 12.7mm ammunition
4,125 x 7.62mm ammunition