M-47 Patton early version
Modello 3D

The M47 Patton was one of a series of American tanks developed during the early years of the Cold War.The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 worried the US Army. Although its M26 and M46 tanks had proven a match for Soviet built T-34s on that battlefield, it was clear that if conflict broke out between the superpowers they would soon have to face a new generation of Soviet tanks. Army leadership became convinced that they could not afford to wait for their next tank project, the T42, to be ready – they needed something now. Therefore, the M47 was created by fitting a slightly modified T42 turret to the proven M46 hull. As such, the M47 had the same AV-1790 12 cylinder petrol engine connected to the automatic CD-850 transmission as its predecessor. The engine’s 810hp output could move the 46 tonne tank at up to 30mph on good ground, and gave it a range of around 80 miles. For the last time on an American tank, there was a fifth crewman, the Assistant Driver, and a bow mounted .30 machine-gun. They were positioned front right, with the Driver on the left. Loader, Gunner and Commander occupied their usual positions in the turret.