Its main gun was the M36 (T119E1) 90 mm gun with an M12 optical rangefinder fitted, which was developed as a more powerful version of the earlier 90 mm guns and were backwards-compatible with their ammunition (but not vice versa, the new cartridge case doesn't chamber in the weaker guns). In December 1950 the Army awarded a $100 million contract to the American Locomotive Company for the production of 500 tanks. The composite tank, developed by the Detroit Arsenal, was named the M47 Patton. Although this interim tank was itself technically immature, Army officials felt the improvements over the M46 in firepower and armor were worth the risk. The final decision was to produce another interim solution, with the turret of the T42 mounted on the existing M46 hull. It was deemed that there was not enough time to finish the development of the T42. However, after fighting erupted in Korea, the Army decided that it needed the new tank earlier than planned. The M47 was the last US tank to have a bow-mounted machine gun in the hull.Īlthough a new power plant corrected the mobility and reliability problems of the M26 Pershing, the subsequently renamed M46 was considered a stopgap solution that would be replaced later by the T42 medium tank. Many different M47 Patton models remain in service internationally. Cold War allies, both SEATO and NATO countries, and was the only Patton series tank that never saw combat while in US service.Īlthough the later M48s and M60s were similar in appearance, those were completely new tank designs. Army's and Marine Corps' primary tank, intended to replace the M26 Pershing and M46 Patton medium tanks. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates of tanks in battle. It was the second American tank to be named after General George S. The M47 Patton was an American Medium tank, a development of the M46 Patton mounting an updated turret, and was in turn further developed as the M48 Patton.
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