The M47 Patton was a US Army main battle tank deployed during the Cold War, between 1950s and early 1960s. It was also fielded by the US Marine Corps. The M47 was developed from the M46 by the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant. It was mass produced by the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant and American Locomotive Co, entering service in 1952. More than 8,000 units were built.
The M47 Patton was armed with an M36 90mm rifled gun fitted with an M12 optical rangefinder. The front hull and turret was protected by 100mm-thick steel armor. The M47 was propelled by a Continental AVDS-1790-5B V12, air-cooled, twin-turbo gasoline engine, delivering 810 hp. It was also equipped the M12 stereoscopic rangefinder, which was designed to improve first-round hit probability.
As a new main battle tank, the M48, became operational in 1954, the M47 was declared obsolete in 1957. Nevertheless, it remained in service for a few more years in the US Army infantry divisions. The M47 tanks were used by the Reserves for a relatively short time, but was soon replaced by early production M48 Patton series tanks. Thus, most of the M47s were exported in the late 1950s.
Specifications
Type: main battle tank
Weight: 47 tons
Width: 11ft 6.25in (3.51 m)
Length: 27 ft 11 in (8.51 m)
Height: 11 ft (3.35 m)
Crew: 5 (commander, driver, assistant driver, gunner, and loader)
Engine: 810hp, Continental AVDS-1790-5B V12, air-cooled, gasoline engine
Maximum speed: 30 mph (48 km/h)
Range: 100 miles (160 km)
Weapons: one M36 90mm rifled gun; one 0.5 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun; two 7.62 mm machine guns
Below, upper and rear view of the M47 Patton in 1952
